Comparative Politics Questions

Comparative Politics Questions from ‘Introducing Comparative Politics 4th Edition’ by Orvis&Drogus

Chapter 7 Contentious Politics

1.In the class lecture, cases and discussion, we covered the types and causes of political violence. Using the Mexican and Nigerian case studies, what do they suggest about the role of weak states in unleashing political violence?

2. Define what a social movement is. How is it different from a political party? Then compare and contrast the Occupy Movement and the Tea Party movement. How are they similar, how are they different? (Think about the mechanisms behind the movement, methods, ideologies, how they shaped public opinion, etc. in the United States.

3 Describe the different types of revolutions and theories that explain why they happen. Why does the case argue that relative deprivation and political opportunity were the primary causes of revolution in China and Iran?

Chapter 8:

1.Explain the “dictator’s dilemma” and its consequences for authoritarian regimes. Why do democratic regimes not suffer from a similar dilemma?

2. Explain the role supreme leader in authoritarian regimes. Why are they more important than in democratic regimes? Most authoritarian regimes suffer from the problem/challenges of succession. Why? How have Iran and China dealt with the problem of succession?

3. What is clientelism? Why is it critically important for many authoritarian regimes? (What purpose does it serve). Provide examples from the cases.

Chapter 9

1.Both Brazil and Nigeria underwent military coups. Compare and contrast the military coups in Brazil and Nigeria. In what ways were they similar and in what ways were they different? Which one do you think undermined the country’s political institutions more and why?

2. Democratization is one way that authoritarian regimes can change. Describe what is typically included in the process of democratization. Then using the case of South Africa, given the institutionalized racism of the apartheid regime why do you think South Africa’s democratization occurred without severe violence?

Chapter 10

1.Even among states that adopt capitalism, distinct models (or variations) of capitalism have emerged. Pick two states (hint the ones covered in the case studies would be the easiest) which illustrate different models under the variety of capitalisms approach and describe those economic models using the cases as your examples.

2. Describe the different role of the state in a market economy. Why do states intervene in the economy?

Chapter 11

1.Briefly, what is development? What are some of the major types of development strategies that post-colonial states have tried? Illustrate with examples.

2. What was Amy Chua’s argument about the relationship between capitalism and democracy in certain types of states? What do you think about her argument and how might a government avoid negatives outcomes?

Chapter 12

1.Describe the social democratic welfare state. What are its main goals, what do they emphasize, and what are typical benefits associated with this type of welfare state? What are a few of the reasons why scholars think this type of welfare state has emerged? Illustrate your discussion with a country example.

2.Describe the liberal welfare state. What are its main goals, what do they emphasize, and what are typical benefits associated with this type of welfare state? Illustrate your discussion with a country example.

Chapter 1 (from Methodology slides)

What is a structured focused comparison approach to comparative politics? Why is this a useful way to approach a research topic?