Chapter 2Chapter 2

Comparing Political SystemsComparing Political Systems

How we Study PoliticsHow we Study Politics DescribeDescribe PredictPredict ExplainExplainA.A. DescriptionDescription Conceptual Framework Conceptual Framework – set of – set of

concepts that are clearly defined and concepts that are clearly defined and understoodunderstood

B.B. ExplanationExplanation – seeking to identify – seeking to identify relationships b/w political phenomena. relationships b/w political phenomena. (Ex. Democracy & Peace)(Ex. Democracy & Peace)

C.C. PredictionPrediction – based on success & accuracy – based on success & accuracy of first two.of first two.

I. Why We CompareI. Why We Compare

A.A. See wider range of political alternativesSee wider range of political alternatives

B.B. Understand virtues and shortcomings of Understand virtues and shortcomings of our own systemour own system

C.C. Develop explanations & test hypotheses Develop explanations & test hypotheses about how political processes workabout how political processes work

D.D. Understand conditions of political changeUnderstand conditions of political change

E.E. Not possible to conduct controlled Not possible to conduct controlled experimentsexperiments

II. How we CompareII. How we Compare

A. Case StudiesA. Case Studies Small “n”Small “n” Allows researchers to look in-depth Allows researchers to look in-depth

at particulars of a caseat particulars of a case

B. Large “N” StudiesB. Large “N” Studies Statistical studiesStatistical studies Enough variables to allow Enough variables to allow

researchers to examine relationshipsresearchers to examine relationships

III. Comparative SystemsIII. Comparative Systems

A. A. SystemSystem

1.1. Interacting with environmentInteracting with environment

2.2. Moving partsMoving parts

3.3. LegitimacyLegitimacy

Comparative Systems ContinuedComparative Systems Continued

B. B. StructureStructure MediaMedia Interest GroupsInterest Groups Political Parties and LegislaturesPolitical Parties and Legislatures ExecutivesExecutives BureaucraciesBureaucracies CourtsCourts

Comparative Systems continuedComparative Systems continued

C. C. FunctionsFunctions Implies purpose, direct & indirectImplies purpose, direct & indirect1. 1. Systems FunctionsSystems Functions Political SocializationPolitical Socialization RecruitmentRecruitment CommunicationCommunication2. 2. Process FunctionsProcess Functions Interest articulationInterest articulation Interest aggregationInterest aggregation Interest adjudicationInterest adjudication

Function ContinuedFunction Continued

3. 3. Policy FunctionsPolicy Functions Impact on society, economy, & Impact on society, economy, &

cultureculture Interaction with international Interaction with international

environmentenvironment ExtractionExtraction Regulation of BehaviorRegulation of Behavior DistributionDistribution

IV. Policy LevelIV. Policy LevelPerformance, Outcome, EvaluationPerformance, Outcome, Evaluation

A.A. Relevant to the interests and needs Relevant to the interests and needs of societyof society

B.B. Evaluation of PerformanceEvaluation of Performance

C.C. Responsive to Value ChangeResponsive to Value Change

D.D. Degree of Stability or AdaptabilityDegree of Stability or Adaptability