political science study guide

• Comparative politics


  The study of political behavior & institutions within countries around the world
• Nation


  Large groups of people who are bound together, and recognize a similarity among themselves
• State


  Political entity whose government has ultimate authority (sovereignty) to make decisions binding upon all those within the boundaries of that entity
• Where are boundaries of nations and states most likely to coincide

  Most likely to in Europe, less so elsewhere
• Jewish people


  Considered a "nation"
• Israel


  A state
• Sovereignty


  Responsibility for the conduct of its own affairs and general some or all of the following:
• Elements of sovereignty


  • Territory/boundaries
  • Common culture
  • Language
  • Religion
  • Ethnicity
  • Common political values
• When is ethnic conflict most likely to occur?  

  Dependent upon access to government ethnic or larger parties
• What are the main findings from Birnir (Ethnic Effect)?

  Ethnic differences no don't necessarily produce violence 
• When is it ethnic conflict least likely to occur? 

  produce violence
• What does “legitimacy” mean ?  

  Belief that the people of the state recognize that the government is appropriate/entitled to rule
• What are some measures of a responsively functioning government?  

  Can election results be translated into policy?

  Is government responsive?

  protections?
• Types of democratic institutions that vary

  • Unitary v. federalist systems
  • Parliamentary v. presidential systems
  • Unicameral vs. bicameral legislatures
  • Single member districts v. proportional representation
• Unitary system


  • Central government has sole control over policy
  • Regional governments derive authority from national govt
  • Most common form (britain, france, japan,etc)
• Federalist


  • National and regional govts share power derived from people
  • Local/regional govts have policy making authority
  • Some advantages: presence of deep regional divisions ; closer ton the people
  • Disadvantages: less responsive to national problems; weaker coordination
• Types of nation-states


  • Size (will have federalism)
  • Level of adversity
• Ethnic division in Ukraine


  • Ethnic Russians (speak Russian, Orthodox church)
  • Ethnic Ukrainians
• Key components of ethnic division in Ukraine


  1. Ethnic Russians

  2. Where ethnic Russians are located/control territory
• East and south Ukraine see higher levels of ethnic conflict
• Unicameral legislature


  One house legislature, makes legislative passage easier
• Bi-cameral legislature


  • Lower house generally more connected to voters
  • Upper house is more representative of elite interests but very weak in many systems (U.S. is an exception)
• Typical features of a bi-cameral legislature

  • Upper house
  • Lower house
• British Parliament


  • Upper house (house of lords) can not prevent passage of legislation
  • Lower house (house of commons) IS the british parliament. MP's are directly elected and pass legislation
  • No judicial review
• Japanese Legislature


  • Upper house (house of councilors) directly elected by the people
  • Elections are based on a proportion representation system rather then single member districts
  • Lower house (house of representatives) directly elected by the people
  • Choose prime minister, sign treaties, create the budget
  • Can override house of councils with 2/3rd majority
• Advantages of a unicameral system

  • Efficiency
  • Less deliberation. More responsiveness
  • Rockow "wholesome" legislation can be passed easier
  • Greater Accountability
  • Upper houses are generally less responsive via elections
  • Fewer Expenses
  • Less staff employees ex. us : nebraska
• Parliamentary systems


  • Citizens only vote for members of parliament
  • Parliament selects executive from within
  • Executive retains power so long as it has "confidence"
  • Confidence- a majority of support within parliament
  • Ensures unified government
  • Diminishes separation of powers
• Head of state


  Symbolic figure (ex queen of england)
• Head of cabinet


  Prime minister, premier, chancellor
• Cabinet


  • Proposes legislation
  • Once introduced, parliament generally passes
  • Make up of party leaders
  • Have tools to enforce party loyalty in parliament
  • Promotion
• What happens if there is no majority party?

  2 or more parties must form a governing coalition
• How presidential systems work


  • Independent legislature and executive
  • Possibility of divided government
  • Executive independent from their party in legislature
  • Enhances separation of powers
  • Increases gridlock
• President


  • Executive
  • Less legislative duties
• Veto (U.S.)


  May be only defined legislative authority
• Legislature


  • Introduce legislation
• Presidential party


  May or may not be unified with president
• Legislative voting


  Depends on presidential approval
• Individual legislative members


  More likely to vote with constituency over party
• Parliamentary system


  • Strong parties
  • Executive and legislative majority are dependent upon each other for power
  • Lack of party unity results in a dissolved government
  • High incentives for party unity
• Cabinet selections

  Dependent upon party loyalty