Essentials Of Comparative Politics- O'neil

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the ability of states to carry out actions or policies within a territory independently from external actors or internal rivals

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sovereignty

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organizations or activities that are self-perpetuating and valued for their own sake

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institutions

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the struggle in any group for power that will give one or more persons the ability to make decisions for the larger group

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politics

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the study and comparison of domestic politics across countries

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comparative politics

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the means by which social scientists make comparisons across cases

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comparative method

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Gathering of statistical data across a large number of countries in order to look for correlations and test hypotheses about cause and effect. Emphasis on breadth over depth.

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quantitative method

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Mastery of a limited number of cases through the detailed study of their history, language, and culture. Emphasis on depth over breadth.

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qualitative method

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The study of how to govern

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statecraft

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This person first separated the study of politics from that of philosophy; used comparative method to study Greek city-states; in "The Politics," conceived of an empirical study of politics with a practical purpose

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Aristotle
(384-322 BC)

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Often cited as the first modern political scientist because of his emphasis on statecraft and empirical knowledge; analyzed different political system, believing the findings could be applied by statesmen; discussed his theories in "The Prince."

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Niccoló Machiavelli
(1469-1527)

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Developed a notion of a "social contract," whereby people surrender certain liberties in favor of order; advocated a powerful state in Leviathan

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Thomas Hobbes
(1588-1679)

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Argued that private property is essential to individual freedom and prosperity; advocated a weak state in his "Two Treatises of Government"

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John Locke
(1632-1704)

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Studied government system; advocated the separation of powers within government in "The Spirit of Laws"

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Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu
(1689-1755)

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Argued that citizens' rights are inalienable and cannot be taken away by the state; influenced the development of civil rights; discussed these ideas in "The Social Contract"

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau
(1712-1778)

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Elaborated a theory of economic development and inequality in his book "Das Kapital;" predicted the eventual collapse of capitalism and democracy

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Karl Marx
(1818-1883)

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Wrote widely on such topics as bureaucracy, forms of authority, and the impact of culture on economic and political development; developed many of these themes in "Economy and Society."

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Max Weber
(1864-1920)

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A theory asserting that as societies developed, they would take on a set of common characteristics, including democracy and capitalism

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modernization theory

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A movement within political science during the 1950's and 1960's to develop general theories about individual political behavior that could be applied across all countries

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behavioralism

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Emphasis on describing political systems and their various institutions

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traditional approach

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The shift from a descriptive study of politics to one that emphasizes causality, explanation, and prediction; places greater emphasis on the political behavior of individuals as opposed to larger political structures and on quantitative over qualitative methodology; modernization theory predominant

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behavioral revolution

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Rejection of a grand theory of politics; criticism of modernization theory as biased and inaccurate; diversity of methods and political approaches, emphasizing such issues as gender, culture, environment, and globalization

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postbehavioralism

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The ability of an individual to act independently, without fear of restriction or punishment by the state or other individuals or groups in society

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freedom

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A shared material standard of individuals within a community, society, or country

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equality

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(1) The organization that maintains a monopoly of force over a given territory
(2) A set of political institutions to generate and execute policy regarding freedom and equality

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state

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The fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power would reside, and the use of that power

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regime

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The leadership or elite in charge of running the state

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government

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Term used to refer to state, government, regime, and the people who live within the political system

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country

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A value whereby an institution is accepted by the public as right and proper, thus giving it authority and power

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legitimacy

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Built by habit and custom over time, stressing history; strongly institutionalized

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Traditional Legitimacy

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Built on the force of ideas and the presence of the leader; weakly institutionalized

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Charismatic Legitimacy

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Built on rules and procedures and the offices that create and enforce those rules; strongly institutionalized

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Rational-legal legitimacy

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A system in which significant state powers, such as taxation, lawmaking, and security, are devolved to regional or local bodies

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federalism

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A state in which most political power exists at the national level, with limited local authority

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unitary states

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A state that is able to fulfill basic tasks, such as defending territory, making and enforcing rules, collecting taxes, and managing the economy

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strong states

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A state that has difficulty fulfilling basic tasks, such as defending territory, making and enforcing rules, collecting taxes, and managing the economy

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weak states

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A state so weak that its political structures collapse, leading to anarchy and violence

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failed states

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The ability of the state to wield power to carry out basic tasks, such as defending territory, making and enforcing rules, collecting taxes, and managing the economy

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Capacity

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The ability of the state to wield its power independently of the public

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autonomy