1. AP Comp Day 4 – How and WHAT will we compare?
Goal – to understand that Palmer’s 4 methods, Palmer’s terms and the S-F method all are needed to analyze a political system. To understand that the above methods are all components of the 5 STs, which is why we use the 5 ST’s for our analysis
Questions from homework?
Review four methods of comparison – pros and cons
Structural-Functional Approach
Process functions
System functions
Policy functions
Review A&P’s S-F approach – groups will
a) Use US to develop statements correctly using the 1st 26 glossary terms AR # 6 p 20
b) complete Structural-functional approach pre-quiz
c) draw an S-F diagram for the US system
What is being compared? Use AR #10 – connect specific terms and developed concepts in each subsection to each of the ST’s and the S-F approach.
Identify the key features of each of these function groups - efficacy

2. Political System – collection of institutions involved in the creation and implementation of public policy
System-environment approach- focus on general process and interaction between inputs, decision-making, outputs, feedback and the environment
Structural-functional approach – focus on the process within each step in the system - the who and how each of inputs, decisions and outputs
AND the evaluation of the effectiveness of the entire system in maintaining the regime and providing for the satisfaction of its people
Typology approach – focus on comparing the various types of gov’t from authoritarian to democratic. Here system theory is augmented by categorization to better evaluate the success of various types and their strengths and weaknesses relative to each other
Historical Approach – looking at the past to better understand where the political system will go in the future. Probably includes study of the political culture as it interacts with the political system

3. environment
inputs
Decision-
making
outputs
Feedback
Political system

4. History and culture inputs environment Regime type outputs Feedback
structure-function
inputs
Decision-
making
outputs
Feedback
Political system

5. outcomes outputs inputs feedback outputs outcomes System Functions
Policy functions
inputs
aggregation
implementation
articulation
Policy making
feedback
outputs
outcomes
Foreign state

6. HIV Loosens Tribe's Resistance to Circumcision
China's Censors Scour the Web
Arrests show Communist Party's determination to decide what Chinese people can read, sing or write
HIV Loosens Tribe's Resistance to Circumcision
Many Kenyans See Survival at Stake
By Craig TimbergWashington Post Foreign Service Friday, September 7, 2007; Page A01
MBITA, Kenya -- Family gatherings for Collins Omondi once were boisterous affairs here on the verdant shores of Lake Victoria. But in just 11 years, AIDS has killed seven of his uncles, six aunts, five cousins and both his parents. His extended family now consists of one surviving uncle, an aunt and their 2-year-old child -- all of whom have AIDS.
Omondi, 28, a tall, broad-shouldered fish trader, has come to believe that a quirk of culture contributed to the decimation of his family. They were Luos, members of the only major tribe in Kenya that does not routinely circumcise boys. The absence of this ritual, Omondi said, helps explain why Luos are dying from AIDS at a rate unheard of among other Kenyans and rare in East Africa.

7. Substantive Topics and AP Terminology
Systems
S-F
History
Typology
Shows the big picture
Easy to understand
Shows specific details for understanding how the system really works.
Helps to evaluate success of system
Connects reasons for system’s existence and the beliefs of the polity with the system
Understand trends
Focuses on categorization and comparison
Understand trends and helps make predictions
Too general
Does not highlight specific policies or policy makers.
Does not address history or culture
A little too theoretical
Too specific
Too little emphasis on effect of environment
Does not address how the system works in the real world
Environment?

8. Substantive Topics and AP Terminology
Sovereignty, Authority, Power,
Political Institutions
Citizens, Society & State
Political and economic Change
Public Policy
P34 source of power can be limited by constitutional regimes
P35 – elites and elite systems equates to gov’t structures and electoral systems
P34 – structures – equitable distribution builds support
P37 – political participation
P34 – institutionalization is a method of system change
P 34 – change gradual or violent dependent on typology
P35 – cultural approach, also S-F system functions – policy affected by political culture/socialization
P37 – S-F inputs and articulation – who is involved in inputs – interest groups
P 42 cultural approach – discussion of political culture’s effects on system

9. Socialization communication recruitment
outcomes
System Functions
Socialization communication recruitment
outputs
Regulation
extraction
Policy functions
Distribution
symbolism
inputs
aggregation
implementation
articulation
Policy making
feedback
outputs
outcomes
Foreign state

10. Legitimacy
A significant segment of the citizenry must believe that the state acts with some moral authority. People believe that the state has the right to issue rules binding for people within their borders - Kesselman
People believe that rules should be followed voluntarily because they are in the best interests of all citizens. – Palmer
People have the feeling that the regime’s rule is rightful and should be obeyed.- Roskin
Some key legitimizing factors –
Transparency, free elections, compatibility of system with culture, open and free press, economic success, improved living standards, rule of law, access to quality public services, civil rights, responsiveness to inputs, civil society, accountability, political efficacy, absence of relative deprivation

11. Rule of Law
The concept that the power and discretion of government and its officials ought to be restrained by a supreme set of neutral rules that prevent arbitrary and unfair action by government. Also called constitutionalism. - Magstadt
the principle that legal rules rather than arbitrary or personal decisions determine what happens – Hauss
governments can take no action that has not been authorized by law and that citizens can be punished only for actions violating existing laws- A & P