What is Comparative Government? We will look out our global window, instead of in the mirror…

Comparing Nation States Comparative Government: “The essence of comparative government as a study is to compare the ways in which different societies cope with various problems; the role of the political structures involved being of particular interest.” {Dictionary of Modern Politics}

We must use a Comparative Lens Activists holding placards depicting the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, protest against Russia's new anti-gay laws in London.

Three Lenses for Comparison Political (Past and Present) Economic (How developed? What SUPRANATIONAL organizations does the country belong to?) Social & Cultural (Quality of life/Civil Society) Civil Society = How do citizens organize themselves and define their interests? Voluntary; outside of the State Quantitative and Qualitative Data Numerical Data Case Studies

Empirical v. Normative Data FRQ Question #2 2013 Statement X: The rate of population growth has decreased in Iran since the 1990s. Statement Y: Developing countries should adopt population growth policies similar to Iran’s. Identify the empirical statement above. Identify the normative statement above. Explain the difference between a NORMATIVE and an EMPIRICAL statement.

Empirical v. Normative FRQ Question #2 2013 Statement X: The rate of population growth has decreased in Iran since the 1990s. EMPIRICAL Statement Y: Developing countries should adopt population growth policies similar to Iran’s. NORMATIVE Identify the empirical statement above. Identify the normative statement above. Explain the difference between a NORMATIVE and an EMPIRICAL statement. subjective or value-related judgments factual or objective statements

Themes of the Course Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Politics = Power Who has it? How did they get it? How are they keeping it?

Themes of the Course I. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power II. Political Institutions Citizens, Society and the State Social Cleavages Political and Economic Change REFORM – REVOLUTION – COUP V. Public Policy

Crisis of Nation-Building Focus on Legitimacy The popular acceptance of a governing law or regime as an authority; The people BELIEVE it to be a proper or acceptable form of government;

Sociologist Max Weber Traditional: belief that tradition should determine who rules and how; longevity Legal: based on a system of laws and procedures (common law and/or legal precedent) Charismatic: based on a dynamic personality; Napoleon

The process of Democratization (Dramatic trend in the past 30 yrs.) “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried. “ - Winston Churchill, British politician (1874 - 1965)

Three Waves of Democratization Samuel Huntington Late nineteenth century: Industrialization and Urbanization (about 20 democracies/out of 65 nations) After WW II: Break up of the colonial empires in Africa, Asia and Caribbean 1970’s: Latin America, Asia and the fall of the USSR Are we headed into a 4th with the “Arab Spring?”

Egypt

China

Russia

Democratic Regimes Procedural Democracy Elections for policymakers BUT sometimes a façade – a dominant party, the military or a “strong man” dominate “Illiberal Democracies” Substantive Democracies Free and fair elections Freedom of the press and to organize Independent court system Civil Rights and Liberties = Civil Society

Jihad vs. McWorld “The planet is falling precipitately apart and coming reluctantly together as the very same moment.”

Jihad vs. McWorld Discussion FOCUS QUESTION: What will be the lasting legacy of globalization: an interdependent, peaceful global society or one rife with localism, fragmentation and conflict? Use evidence to support your statement As a group, discuss the readings, and providing quotes or examples that support the section heading you are responsible for.