Cp Notes

Poli-227 Notes for 09/24 Homework for 10/1 Journal: Make sure you review the syllabus. Summary of news. Make sure you cite your min (4) sources. Accurate URLs for sources. Reading: Reading chapters 3-6, and chapters on France.

3. Cross-national opinion survey research. A. Compare the political attitudes of people across different countries B. Asking the same questions in two or more countries C. Helpful to understand what other countries truly think. Summary: Ask the same set of questions about our financial problems, but ask it of different countries. “What should we do here?” Compare attitudes, why do we do things we do? 4. Rational Choice Theory A. Assumption is made that decision makers are rational actors. B. Therefore, decision makers are thought to make rational decisions based on evidence. C. Theory tries to predict how decision makers will act when faced with a policy matter and have reviewed the evidence. Summary: If we can build better theories and understandings, if certain courses of events happen, and we can predict to some degree what decision people will make, that would be good. The belief that human beings and people in position of power are rational beings Capable of taking input, capable of making the best decisions for themselves. (Operating in their best interest) Truth is, humans are rational beings sometimes. Some leaders are crazy/evil, but rational. 5. Case Study Method A. Used widely in comparative politics and is often found incorporated into the previous mentioned theoretical perspectives. B. Researchers usually look at specific political, economic, social features within one or more countries. C. Compare results for a more accurate understanding of what is occurring in the countries being studied.

Summary: Political scientists have realized that it is impossible to build one unified theory about how leaders and countries will operate. “The best thing we can do is get involved in case studies”. Traditionally looking at one country, a “unit of analysis”. Within that one country we may look at a number of different kinds of issues. Economics, politics, etc. In other words, look at countries involved in similar set of circumstances to one you’re studying. Empirical evidence, stay away from normative, anecdotal. Facts push us in the right direction, not vice versa. Widely criticized. But *most widely used*. Types of Studies in Comparative Politics: 1. Studies of one country ( a cornerstone of the case study approach) 2. Studies of two or more countries (a second cornerstone of the case study approach although more difficult to carry out) 3. Regional or area studies 4. Studies across different regions 5. Global comparisons.

6. Thematic Studies This may include themes such as: the changing role of the state; class relations; political socialization; dependency theory; transitioning to democracy. These studies are some of the most difficult to carry out and are usually very theoretical in nature. Summary: Not just economics, but get in to social issues. What happens when you have poor people that are continually kept poor? Do they eventually revolt? Ex: How does a change in government, from a Saddam-era Iraq to a new democratic Iraq work? What can we expect? Is there anything that can go wrong with it? Etc. Arend Lijphart’s Case Study Categorizations Atheoretical Case Study: Single country analysis. Entirely descriptive. Ideal type. Non-theory building. Summary: Is whats going on working for the people?

Interpretive Case Study: Like the “atheoretical case study” but uses established theoretical propositions. Thinks of this type of case study as applied science. We are using what we already know and applying it to the case study. Summary: Ex: Iraq new democracy, “this is what I know about the Iraqi constitution. Okay, does this really allow for a separation of power? Between a law making body, an executive, and a court system?” Basically looking to apply what we learn to a theory. Separation of powers, etc. Hypothesis-generation base studies: used to develop one or more hypotheses about comparative politics. Hypothesis is then tested using a larger number of cases (more than one country). Testing of hypotheses are the building blocks of general theory. Summary: When a traffic light is green, cars go through the intersection.  hypotheses Sit at an intersection and take a look.  test Ex: If we look at Iraq, did what we did there work? Theory-confirming cases: an analysis of a single case study Use of established generalizations (Existing theoretical propositions) (Ex: democracies can vote, etc) Examination of one single variable. (Ex: right to vote) Evidence presented strengthens the “truth” of established generalizations. (Ex: further strengthens what we know about democracy) “Hey look, we brought democracy to Iraq, theres no reason to think we can’t do this with other middle-eastern societies.” Theory-infirming cases: the same idea and techniques as theory-confirming cases (disproving) However, the evidence presented weakens the “truth” of an existing theoretical proposition (an established generalization). Ex: Iraq doesn’t demonstrate many of the theoretical assumptions of what a democracy is. Iraq really isn’t a democracy at all.

Industrialized Democracies Four Basic Tenets of Them: 1. Basic rights, rules and law – especially individual freedoms such as speech, press, fair trial, etc. (The rule of law is very important too) (codification of these laws (writing down)) 2. Competitive elections – that are free, fair, and open to the public. However electoral systems vary widely between countries. 3. Civil society – The ideal of government and people being closely intertwined in a legitimate sense. - People accept the rules of society but also feel they have a stake in the outcome. - Civil society makes it hard for revolutionary protests to take root. 4. Capitalism and affluence – industrialized democracies actively embrace capitalism - However, not all IDs are equally wealthy, nor are all of the populations in these countries equally well off. - Various types of capitalism/market forces are at work in IDs.

Political Parties and Ideology - IDs usually have two or more political parties that compete in elections. - Ideology varies from the far left (communism) to the far right (fascism). - Liberalism – means something different in the USA vs. Europe - USA – liberalism is associated with the left – government working for the people. (In Europe liberalism means you’re on your own) (In USA government has a place in your life under liberalism) -USA left = good government takes care of society -USA right = not governments job to take care of society/insure everyone prospers -Euro lib = conserve -Euro conserve = lib Other Commonalities of IDs 1. Interest group influence – Madison’s theory that people will form groups to get what they want in the political arena. - This is also known as pluralism. - Influence of these groups varies widely from country to country. - But competing with pluralism is elitism.

Summary: Not only does society have the right to cast votes and determine the results of elections but they also have the right to form associations (groups) to protest, advance economic agendas, political agendas, etc. Elitism – the belief that democratic countries are not government by the masses (pluralism) but by a select, limited segment of society (the elites). Elites – control the government, attend the most prestigious colleges, own the most wealth, etc. Summary: We’re deeply suspicious of the elites. On the flipside though, elites may not be a bad thing. Wouldn’t you rather a better educated person hold the power? Reality is, elites run the show. Both American and European democracies have a battle going between these above two.

2. Political protest – IDs have a long and established tradition of political protest; also known as “feedback” - Extremely important to the development of civil society in a country and the belief that all citizens have a stake in the outcome. - Built on the premises of inclusion and co-option – but how many people engage in feedback? 3. Representative democracies (limited democracy, small number of people elected entrusted to do the people’s business) with lawmaking houses controlled by elected representatives. - But considerable differences in lawmaking styles - USA – presidential system - Most of Europe – parliamentary system - France – presidential/parliamentary system (combines the two) The largest reproduced form of democracy is the parliamentary system (British model). 4. Foreign policy – the industrialized world shares many similarities when it comes to democratic government. Economics, human rights, etc. Many differences too: These differences include: geo politics, issue-areas, economic development, military policy, etc. - Cuba policy is a cogent example. (Europeans trade with Cuba, and vacation there. We don’t, can’t, they’re evil.)

Lecture 10/08 Great Britain Continued 12. If one party does not control a majority of seats in the parliament then two or more parties must form a coalition. 13. The combined seats of the coalition will give them a majority of seats in the parliament 14. When a PM has to rule by coalition the parliament has much more influence over the lawmaking process. In countries with a lot of political parties, the government often collapses. What needs to be done is band together a few smaller parties in to one larger coalition in order to choose a PM. But then, the PM who is chosen has to be a lot more careful about making demands in terms of what he or she should like to see done. Because he or she doesn’t have to worry now about just offending his or her own party. He has to worry about influencing smaller parties. And making sure he/she doesn’t offend those smaller parties. If the coalition falls apart or dissolves, you go back to a situation where no one party has a majority in parliament, so a vote of confidence comes up for the PM. Coalitions and what party has more seats is meaningless in our way of governing. However, in the British model is it imperative. UK has a Bicameral Legislature, that is, a House of Commons and a House of Lords. House of Commons: Their Congress, powerful. Elected by the people. This house selects PM. House of Lords: Upper house. Not directly elected by the people, so very little power. (This is the norm) • • •

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Made up of 682 members (this number fluctuates) they are unpaid. The House of Lords is appointed by the political parties. Powerless because of this. Members get appointed to the House of Lords through the political parties. I.e. When labor is running the government, they get a large number of appointments to the house. Seats are also reserved for members of the Anglican church. Appointments known as “Life Peers” or “Hereditary Peers” Purpose #1: Gives the wealthy a continuous voice in the government. Purpose #2: Can’t make meaningful changes to laws, but can stall (3-6 months) to give time to let the people know a bit about whats going on

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Plays a unique judicial role (court) because some of Britain’s highest judges also hold seats in the House of Lords. Contains the Supreme Court of Appeal, which is the UK’s highest court. Hears appeals on both criminal and civil cases. Unpaid.

Supreme Court of Appeal • • • •

Not for constitutional law, they have no system for that. The court is made up of 12 judges who are salaried – paid by the people through taxes. The judges are also members of the House of Lords. Perk of being a Judge is appointment to House of Lords.

Hereditary peers: Seats in the House of Lords that have stayed in one “family” for generations Tony Blair made some steps to halve these seats. Life peers: Seats in the House of Lords appointed by the major political parties. The appointees are distinguished Britains and hold the position for life. Two examples: Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John. Main Political Parties in the UK 1. Labor Party: Held power since 1997 to the president (Like the Democrats in US) 2. Conservative party (Tories): Held power through most of the 1980s and 1990s (Like Republicans) 3. Liberal Democrats: Who have never held power but who do have control of anywhere between 10-15 percent of the seats in the parliament, depending on the outcome of an election. Offshot fringe party that gained traction in the 1970s. Left of labor. A LOT more government intervention. Recent Famous Prime Ministers 1. 2. 3. 4.

Winston Churchill Margaret Thatcher Tony Blair – Bill Clinton of British politics Gordon Brown – Current

Summary: House of Commons is a rubber stamp for laws PM writes and sends off.

France Some Facts:

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By European standards, France is a large country (2.5 times the size of the UK) One of Europe’s most affluent countries … higher standard of living. Very broad social net including national health care, university tuition of about $200 a year, day-care as part of public schools. Fascinating contrast to our private health care systems. Citizens pay more in taxes, but they get more in benefits. Very homoegenous society Predominately Catholic, but not militant. Changing over time. One of few countries that has an official language authority (language agency) to protect the language. Women are not equal with men as they are in the US Racism is a problem…National Front Party France overthrew its tradition of monarchy in 1789 with the French revolution But France then had a succession of failed democracies, a few monarchies, and even a failed neofascist regime 1958 gave birth to the Fifth Republic – France’s 5th attempt at democracy. The George Washington of modern day French politics is Charles Degaulle Degaulle was a military hero during the French resistance against the Nazi occupation of France during WWII Degaulle was basically recruited by the people to oversee the creation of the fifth republic Degaulle, unlike Washington, said if he was going to play a role in politics he was going to get some things. I’m going to put my hands all over the creation of this 5th republic. Established a French constitution that combined a parliamentary system of government with a strong executive branch (a presidency) This has led to France being called a presidential-parliamentary system of government. Similar to PM setup of Britain, (cabinet, PM, etc). Added to that, by Degaulle, he demanded that in the writing of the political documents, France was going to have a strong national figurehead. More independent president. Prime Minister of France is chosen by National Assembly (Lower house). But President is directly elected. PM serves a quasi-term of 3-4 years. President serves a fixed term of 5 years. The French government is a blend of a strong president with a bicameral parliamentary system. The two houses of the French parliament are the National Assembly (the lower house) and the French Senate (the upper house). The National Assembly is the more powerful of the two houses. (lower house)

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Things between them and UK differ when it comes to terms of Executive level of gov. France has 2 executives, PM and President. President has more power however. The National Assembly is directly elected by the people (577 seats) – MPs serve 5-year terms. The Senate is “elected” (appointed) by “electoral colleges” in regions of France (316 seats). Senators serve 9-year terms. Electoral Colleges are made up of locally elected officials. The parliamentary side of the French government is much like the UK Prime minister chosen by the National Assembly Selection of cabinet ministers to assist the prime minister in writing laws (the government) A more powerful lower house of parliament than the upper house

Fifth Republic: Take parliamentary style of government and presidential form and put them together.

Interesting part is the give and take between PM and President The Presidency 1. If you want to be the president of a country, you don’t want it to be America, if you want power. 2. The powers of the French President are numerous 3. French President has much more power than the USA President 4. Among Those Powers: a. Rule by decree for 6 months (marshall law, no legislature, just executive, bow down!) b. Call national referendums (pres disagrees with parlia., takes vote directly to people) c. Dissolve the parliament d. Call for new elections Important Differences between French system and British system 1. The cabinet does not need to be approved by the parliament. PM has latitude to appoint ministers to run the agencies (if the President says okay) 2. Government cannot be defeated in a no confidence vote unless the opposition wins an absolute majority of all MPs. 3. An MP must give up seat in the parliament if chosen for the cabinet 4. The lower house cannot change the tax and spend provisions in the government’s budget. This differs from French system. (THE PRESIDENT HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE BUDGET)

5. The power of the parliament grows during times of cohabitation – when one party controls the PM’s seat and another party controls the presidency. President must be more open to negotiating and bargaining. • Nicolas Sarkozy is the current president of France • Francois Fillon is the current PM • The French President serves a 5-year term in office • Directly elected by the French people • Prime Minister is chosen by the National Assembly British: Lose no confidence based on plurality (whoever gets the most votes wins) of votes French: Has to be an ABSOLUTE majority (more than 50%+ of the votes))

Exam Notes for Next Week • • • • • •

Mix of questions from both textbook and notes. Pay short attention to the textbook at your own peril. STUDY. READ. FOOL. Study guide can’t get any more user friendly. Use page numbers fool. Current events. Keep up. Study Guide covers the chapters. Don’t worry about Germany. Current Events will be on big stories, internationally in the news. Read paper.

Germany Current Chancellor of Germany: Angela Merkel Rechtsstaat: State of laws