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

2. 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}

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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;

11. 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

12. 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 ( )

13. 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?”

14. Egypt

15. China

16. Russia

17. 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

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

19. 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.