2.6 Comparative Theories

• Structuralism focuses on the roles and norms of political institutions.

  False
• Behavioralism emphasizes the formal rules of political institutions.

  False
• What are the key assumptions of structuralism regarding political outcomes?

  Class and inequality
• Structuralism uses class and inequality as key concepts to explain political outcomes, focusing on underlying economic and social structures
• What are comparative theories used for in political science?

  Comparing political systems
• Behaviouralism studies individual and collective political behavior
• Which theory emphasizes the influence of class and inequality on politics?

  Structuralism
• Structuralism assumes that class and inequality are the primary determinants of political outcomes.


  True
• What psychological and sociological factors influence political attitudes according to behaviouralism?

  Voting and public opinion
• What are two key concepts in structuralism?

  Class and inequality
• Structuralism assumes that politics is shaped by underlying economic and social structures.


  True
• Behaviouralism assumes that psychological and sociological factors influence political attitudes and actions
• Institutionalism focuses on the formal and informal rules of political institutions
• How might a behaviouralist approach analyze the 2016 US presidential election?

  Voter attitudes and turnout
• Complementary theories are used to systematically analyze and compare political systems across countries.

  True
• There are three main types of comparative theories: structuralism, institutionalism, and behavioralism
• Match the comparative theory with its focus:

  Structuralism ↔️ Underlying economic and social structures

  Institutionalism ↔️ Roles and norms of political institutions
• Institutionalism overlooks the influence of economic and social structures
• Complementary theories provide a more comprehensive understanding of political systems.

  True
• What are comparative theories used for in political science?

  Analyzing political systems
• What are the key concepts of structuralism?

  Class and inequality
• What is the primary focus of behavioralism in comparative politics?

  Political behavior
• Institutionalism assumes that political institutions enable and constrain political actors.


  True
• How does institutionalism explain the role of the US Congress in blocking legislation?

  Institutions constrain actors
• The three main types of comparative theories are structuralism, institutionalism, and behaviouralism
• What are two key concepts in structuralism?

  Class and inequality
• What do complementary comparative theories provide in political analysis?

  Different analytical lenses
• Institutionalism focuses on the formal and informal rules of political institutions
• Structuralism focuses on economic and social structures, while institutionalism highlights institutional frameworks.

  True
• Institutionalism studies the roles and norms of political institutions
• Match each political theory with its primary focus:

  Structuralism ↔️ Underlying economic and social structures

  Institutionalism ↔️ Roles and norms of political institutions

  Behaviouralism ↔️ Individual and collective political behavior
• Behaviouralism considers psychological and sociological factors in shaping political attitudes and actions.


  True
• What specific role might an institutionalist analysis focus on during the 2016 US presidential election?

  Electoral College system
• Order the main assumptions of the three comparative theories:

  1️⃣ Structuralism: Politics is shaped by economic structures

  2️⃣ Institutionalism: Institutions constrain political actors

  3️⃣ Behavioralism: Individual behavior drives politics
• What does behavioralism assume about the drivers of political behavior?

  Psychological and sociological factors
• Behavioralism studies how campaign ads influence voter turnout.


  True
• Match the type of theory with its focus:

  Structuralism ↔️ Underlying economic and social structures

  Institutionalism ↔️ Roles and norms of political institutions

  Behaviouralism ↔️ Individual and collective political behavior
• Institutionalism focuses on the formal and informal rules of institutions such as constitutions and parliaments.


  True
• Match the theory with its focus:

  Structuralism ↔️ Economic and social structures

  Institutionalism ↔️ Roles and norms of institutions

  Behaviouralism ↔️ Individual political behavior
• What are two key concepts in behaviouralism?

  Voting and public opinion