Topics in Comparative Politics

1. Topics in Comparative Politics Political and Economic Change

2. Remember… • Comparativisits are not only interested in the causes and forms of change, but the impact those changes have on the political/policy making process. • More often one will find that political and economic changes occur together and influence each other. • Example: rapid economic change (free market policies) in China have led to institute political change as well.

3. Types of Changes • Reform • Does NOT advocate the overthrow of basic institutions • Usually want to change methods used by political and economic leaders. • Examples: anti-trust laws, flat tax reform idea, • Revolution • Change at the basic level. Overthrow or review of existing intuitions • Usually impacts more that one aspect of daily life. • Example: Industrial Revolution changed Europe from feudalism to capitalism—changed social life, transportation, communications, social class. • Coup d’ etat • Most limited of three. • Means “blow to the state – where they will replace the leadership of a country with new leaders. • Usually have weak institutions and leaders take control by force. • Often carried out by military.

4. Attitudes toward Change • Radicalism • Belief that rapid dramatic change needs to be made to a society • Current society can not be salved and must be replaced with something better. • Example: Revolution ending the czarist regime in Russia—replaced with USSR. • Liberalism • Supports reform and gradual change • Don’t believe the system is broken, but it does need repair or improved. • Don’t confuse with liberal political ideology • Two ideas (political and economic change) may not happen together but follow each other • Example: Women entering into the workforce.

5. Attitudes Continued • Conservatism • Less supportive of change in general • Change is disruptive and has unforeseen outcomes. • Consider state and regime to very important and provide consistency, law, and order. • Resist significant change but will make SMALL steps for improvement. • Example: Cuba’s opening of telecommunication policy. • Reactionary • Go further to protect against any change than conservative beliefs. • Oppose revolution and reform, but status quo is not acceptable • Will “turn back the clock” to an earlier era and reinstate political, social and economic institutions that once existed. • Will use violence to reach goals.

6. Three major trends in change… • Democratization • Move to market economy • Revival of Ethnic and/or Cultural Policies • Note: Two of these (democratization and market economy) indicate and represent growing commonalities among nations. The third (ethnic/cultural policies) represents a move to fragmentation of development.

7. Democratization • Essential requirement is competitive elections that are regular, free, and fair. • Because of this, countries that call themselves democracies fall into “grey” area—examples are Russia, Nigeria, Indonesia. • Liberal democracies (also called substantive) have other characteristics beyond competition elections • Civil liberties • Rule of law • Neutrality of judiciary • Open civil society • Civilian control of the militaries • Citizens have multiple sources of information. • Illiberal or procedural democracies are missing one or more of these.

8. Huntington’s “Three Waves” • According to political scientist Samuel Huntington, the modern world is now in a “third wave” of democracy. • First wave developed over time • Second wave after WWII to the 1960’s • Third wave 1970’s to present • What are the characteristics of the 3rd wave? • Defeat of dictators or totalitarian rulers in South America, Eastern Europe, some parts of Africa.

9. Why has democratization occurred? • Huntington believes these are just some of the factors: • Loss of legitimacy by authoritarian regimes • Expansion of an urban middle class in developing countries • New emphasis on humans rights by U.S and E.U. • “Snowball” or domino effect. When one goes, so do the others around it. • Democratization occurs when there have been at least two successive peaceful turnovers of power.

10. How does it occur • Authoritarian regimes transition to democracy usually as a result of a trigger event. • Usually fuelled by discontent especially if it is proceed by a period of improvement (revolution of rising expectations) • Democratic consolidation (when the ruling elite as well as all social classes lend support to change) creates a stable political system that is supported by all parts of society. • Biggest Obstacle is Poverty– it blocks citizen participation in government

11. Movement Towards Market Economy • Comparativists disagree about the relations between democratization and marketization—does one cause the other or is the relationship spurious? • Mexico and China are two opposite examples. • Liberalism ideology is rooted in 19th century Europe. • Most were bourgeoisie – middle class professionals wanted their views represented by government. • Valued political and economic freedom.

12. Types of economies… • Command • Free market • Mixed. • How does lead to economic liberalism?

13. Command Economies • Found in 19th century radical philosophy advocating equality more than liberty (Marx and Lenin) • Became the basis for 20th century economies– USSR/Russia, China, Veitnam, Cuba, North Korea. • These economies were: • Managed by party-dominated state planning • Had detailed blueprints for economic production and quotas • State run industry and state owned property.

14. Mixed Economy • Not a “pure market” economy • For example: Germany “social market economy” • Team-oriented, emphazing cooperation from management and organized labor • Some state run industries (such as utilities, health care) • Promotes private ownership as well. • Brings about the idea of economic liberalism

15. Free Market or Marketization • Factors leading to Free Market • Belief that government is too big • Lack of success of command economies • What is Marketization • The re-creation of a market in which property, labor, goods and service can all function in a competitive environment to determine their value. • Involves the idea of privatization (transfer of state owned property to private ownership. • Disadvantage: the cycle of prosperity and scarcity. • Because of this most states have concluded a mixed economy is best solution.

16. Revival of Ethnic or Cultural Policies • Fragmentation (divisions based on ethnic or cultural identity) is a new and growing phenomena in politics. • Trend was the end of nationalism (identity based on nationhood) and the rise of globalization. • Now biggest trend can be seen with the politicization or religion in world politics, especially in the early 21st century. • Political terrorism in the name of Islam • Israel vs. Palestine