COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT

DATE : Jan 14 , 2020

CLASS: 3
WEEK: 2
 Class Discussion

It has been argued that comparative government and politics is now defunct in this era of
globalisation and interdependence. Is this the case? What are the problems of this sub-
discipline of political science? What if anything can be gained by comparing political
institutions, political systems and political societies in different countries?
 Technique Comparative Government

Framework for Comparing Governments :

Structural Comparison speaks to the interaction between the three arms of Government and how they interact with each other
1. Structural-Functional Analysis
Although political systems vary state to state, their basic political functions remain the same. Like systems analysis, structural-functional
analysis may be conducted upon systems of any size but it is particularly appropriate for a comparison of two or more states. In order to
complete these primary tasks of comparing systems and states; a series of smaller tasks are required. These are:
(a) For each nation-state that you have selected, you should describe the major political structures that exist. These include:
o Political and legal institutions such as executive, legislative and judicial institutions.
o The rules, such as the constitution and the principal laws under which the institutions operate.
 Technique Comparative Government

❖ Describe the four input functions of the two states that you have selected. These are:
o Political socialisation – the manner in which people learn the political values of their culture. Describing this process includes
answering a series of questions – What form of political culture exists? Which mediating institutions have the greatest impact
within the political culture? What effects do these institutions have upon politics in these states?
o Interest articulation – the ways in which interests may be expressed. Are some organisations more effective in expressing their
views than others? Why are they more effective? Do unwritten rules of expression exist? Do some groups have no voice in
politics? Are some values held so strongly by such a large majority that freedom of expression is effectively precluded?
o Interest aggregation – the process by which interests compete, co-operate and compromise to distribute the resources and make
the rules of society (often a function of political parties). Is interest aggregation done before or after the elections? What happens
in a coalition?
o Political communication – the means by which political values in a society are communicated. The main focus of your analysis
should be to determine how open political communication in your selected state actually is. Is there freedom of the press? Is
access only available to certain groups? Do these groups influence political values?
 Technique Comparative Government

❖ Describe the major output functions of the two nation-states. These are:

o Rule-making – Describe the people who make the rules, the manner in which they are selected, the level of authority they possess
and the extent of bargaining and compromise that they must do. Rule-making is primarily a legislative function. How and why is
rule-making in the two countries similar or different?
o Rule application – the first function of any bureaucracy is to apply general rules to specific circumstances. Rule application is
normally an executive function. Describe the primary types of rule application structures such as government departments and
regulatory institutions. How do customs and political culture affect the rule application process? Do public administrators
respond to citizens’ concerns? Is bribery or corruption part of the process?
o Rule adjudication – Describe the judicial system and then explain who settles disputes. Rule adjudication is primarily a judicial
function. Does the judicial system enjoy the respect of the people? Are most disputes settled formally through the courts or by
other means?
 Technique Comparative Government

Other techniques:
o Systems Analysis : Systems analysis is a tool to find out how the political system really works. The primary task in systems analysis are to (a) define
the major elements of the political system, (b) describe their major characteristics, (c) describe the relationships among the major elements, and (d)
explain how the system works. Formal rules determine part of the system’s process but informal power structures and influence play an equally
important role. In order to complete these primary tasks a series of smaller tasks are required.
o Analysis of the State: State-centred theorists argue that the state is a coherent set of systems that determine political life. As such, the state is not
merely an institution that responds to other forces in society, but is rather a creative and vital source of initiatives. In this framework the political elite
that act are substantially autonomous and studying the political elite will help to explain domestic and international events. Your primary task is to
describe and analyse six primary factors that make up the state. These are: Geopolitical position , Role of the military , The internal powers of the
state, The external powers of the state, political elites , pathologies of the state system
o Decision-Making theory (game theory) Political science adopted game theory from economics where it was used to understand fluctuations in
market conditions. Game theorists would argue that politics is a contest with rules. How you play the game is sometimes seen as more important than
the game itself and winning is based upon your ability to assess what others are likely to do. Game theory’s contribution to political science is its value
in decision-making analysis. The foundation of the theory is rationality; the assumption that human beings are rational creatures who make rational
decisions most of the time. The theory provides a systematic way to understand the options available to someone who needs to make a decision.
Due Next Class

Compare and contrast presidential and parliamentary systems of government.

5 marks
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THE END