DPPE 0201

SECOND PUBLIC EXAMINATION

Honour School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT

T R I N I T Y T E R M 2000

Tuesday, 30 May 2000, 2.30 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.

Please start the answer to each question on a separate sheet.

Answer questions comparatively and, over the whole paper, show knowledge of at least
three countries, including two of the following: (i) the United Kingdom; (ii) the United
States; (iii) EITHER France OR Germany.

Do not turn over until told that you may do so.

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 ° Is democratization a substantive or procedural process?

2. Assess the importance of the comparative politics literature on transitions to and from
authoritarian and totalitarian rule.

. Does the recent salience of corruption in politics reflect a new phenomenon or

improved detection?

. EITHER: a) Have criticisms of the rational choice approach to comparative politics

ended this approach's value?

OR b) 'The neglect of agency in new institutionalist approaches to

comparative politics is a fatal flaw.' Discuss.

. Why has it proved to be difficult to formulate general conclusions in the comparative

study of interest groups?

. 'The diffusion of privatisation has substantially undermined the role of civil servants
as guarantors of the public interest.' Discuss.

. Can the notion of 'political executive' be applied to both presidential and

parliamentary systems of government?

. "In the absence of a theory of internal party organisation, no useful comparative

analysis of political parties can be undertaken". Discuss.

. EITHER: a) 'Governments may thrive without a written constitution but the

protection of human rights cannot.' Discuss.

OR: b) Does constitutional reform demonstrate the success or failure of

constitutions as sources of political practice?

10. EITHER: a) 'Ideas in public policy are always the instruments of political
interests.' Discuss.

OR: b) Does the persistence of the concept of policy networks arise from its
cogency in comparative analysis or the absence of superior
frameworks? Answer with respect to TWO OR MORE countries.

11. Account for the failure of most legislatures' committees to oversee governments
satisfactorily.

12. 'Voting systems based on proportional representation achieve little more

proportionality of outcome than the Anglo-American electoral system and blur the
lines of accountability.' Discuss.

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13. Where should democrats draw the boundary between politics and administration?

14. 'A study of constitutional law adds nothing to understanding of comparative

government.' Discuss.

15. 'Federalism is a more powerful predictor of political differences between countries

than other institutions.' Discuss.

[End of question paper]

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