Conceptual Approach to Comparative Government & Politics

Mexico Nigeria Britain Iran China Russia How can we compare 6 different countries that have different histories, cultures, peoples, governments, politics, values, views on the world, policies, futures, etc.?

1.Systems Theory Models for Comparison We will use the current health care debate to illustrate this process.

 Interest Groups – groups formed to ‘lobby’ around specific issues and concerns of a group  Ex.) Trade Unions, Business Associations, Military Contractors  Political Parties – larger entity that tries to bring together the interests of a number of groups & gain control over government.  Ex.) Democrats, Republicans  Protestors/Rebels – ‘outside the system’ groups that try to influence government  Ex.) 9/11 Hijackers Models for Comparison  Inputs – ways average citizens and their groups engage in political life.  Ex.) voting, attending listening sessions

Models for Comparison  Decision Making – influenced/determined by the structure of their institution and the values, skills, & personalities of their leaders.  Output (Policy)– regulatory, redistributive, and symbolic actions by government  Ex.) Health Care Reform, Taxes, Changing the National Anthem (Iran 1979)  Feedback – process through which people find out about policy & the ways in which their reactions help the next phase of the process  Ex.) Media

Models for Comparison  Environment – everything lying outside the political system that influences through this process  Ex.) History  Ex.) Social, Economic, Physical Condition  Ex.) Global Forces (increasingly important factor)

2. Three World Approach System used prior to the early 1990s 1 st World – The United States & Its Allies 1 st World – The United States & Its Allies 2 nd World – The Soviet Union & Its Allies 2 nd World – The Soviet Union & Its Allies 3 rd World – Nations that didn’t fit above and were all economically underdeveloped & deprived. 3 rd World – Nations that didn’t fit above and were all economically underdeveloped & deprived. Models for Comparison

3. 21 st Century/Modern Approach Since the end of the Cold War, the world has changed – politically, economically, & socially 1.Advanced Democracies Nations 2.Communist/Post-Communist Nations 3.Newly Industrializing/Less Developed Nations Models for Comparison

Advanced Democracies AP GAP – Britain Characteristics: Rich, Western countries Representative government Competitive elections Rule of law Active & Civic culture Legitimate power of government Civil Liberties Post-Industrial & Mixed Economies Models for Comparison

Post Communist & Communist AP GAP – Russia & China Characteristics: Authoritarian/Totalitarian political histories Command Economies High levels of social services Old infrastructure & industrial capital Beginnings of market-orientated economies Social & Economic Problems Models for Comparison

Newly Industrializing/Less Developed AP GAP – Iran, Mexico, Nigeria Characteristics: Former Colonies of Western Powers Powerful foreign multinational corporations Power of government is weak, unstable Dramatic poverty Lack of basic public services Low political integration Serious ethnic conflict Large gap in wealth and education Rapid population growth Environmental degradation Models for Comparison