Comparative Politics Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Comparative Politics flashcards as text
What is the primary method used in comparative politics to study political systems?
Answer: Systematic comparison of political systems across countries
Comparative politics uses systematic comparison across different political systems to identify patterns, similarities, and differences in governance.
Which type of political system concentrates governmental authority in a single central government?
Answer: Unitary system
A unitary system concentrates governmental authority in a single central government, unlike federal systems which constitutionally divide power between levels.
The concept of 'path dependency' in comparative politics suggests that:
Answer: Historical choices constrain and shape future political options
Path dependency holds that early institutional choices create self-reinforcing patterns that significantly constrain future political options and reforms.
Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba's comparative research developed which influential concept?
Answer: Civic culture theory
Almond and Verba developed the civic culture theory through their comparative study of political attitudes across five democracies, published in 1963.
What is the key distinguishing feature of a parliamentary system compared to a presidential system?
Answer: The executive is drawn from and accountable to the legislature
In parliamentary systems, the executive (prime minister and cabinet) is drawn from the legislature and remains accountable to it, unlike presidential systems.
In comparative politics, 'corporatism' refers to a system where:
Answer: Organized interest groups are formally incorporated into policy-making
Corporatism describes a system where organized interest groups, especially labor and business associations, are formally integrated into the policy-making process.
Which principle holds that peoples have the right to determine their own political status and governance?
Answer: Self-determination
Self-determination is the recognized principle that peoples have the right to determine their own political status and establish their own form of government.
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