POL353: Comparative Politics

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length for each question. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.

1. Compare the following interest groups, The National Rifle Association (NRA) and The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) by visiting their websites. Discuss what type of interest group each is (Anomic, Non-associational, Institutional, or Associational) and discuss how each mobilizes its members to join and participate. What type of interest group system are they part of? What types of methods do they use to influence policy and public figures? How do these two interest groups engage with the executive and legislative branches?

2. Watch the TED talk given by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita entitled Three predictions on the future of Iran. During this discussion, De Mesquita uses game theory to discuss the dynamics of interest aggregation and public policy formulation in Iran. De Mesquita then provides a prediction for where he believes Iran's policy will go. In a minimum of 200-250 words answer the following: 1) Do you believe mathematical models can assess how parties and interests groups are aggregated? 2) What do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of De Mesquita's assessment? 3) What are your thoughts on Iran's future policies towards the West and nuclear weapons? Do you agree or disagree with De Mesquita's methodology?