pols 373 foundations of comparative politics

POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics

Lecture: Introduction to Theory in Comparative Politics

Lecture Date: January 23, 2007

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Introduction to Theory in Comparative Politics

To start off our discussion of theory, we will begin with an exercise: Consider the following statements (arguments) about violent crime …

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“Theories” about gun violence: argument no. 1A major source of violent crime lies in predictable human behavior. In places where the risks of getting caught are minimal where the potential rewards are high, individuals are likely to commit more crimes in general. This is especially true in poorer communities, where people may have limited access to jobs, education and skills training. Violent crime specifically is more likely (1) when the use of violence is a particularly efficient and/or neces-sary “tool,” and (2) where the use of violence to achieve one’s ends entails relatively limited risk compared to the alternatives.

Picture: Two unidentified members of the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, show their tattoos in front of a message that says "we ask the Honduran people for forgiveness," in a unit of the National Penitentiary in Tamara, Honduras, 19 miles north of the capital Tegucigalp

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“Theories” about gun violence: argument no. 2Capitalism causes violence. Not directly, but through a unrelenting process that divides societies into the “haves” and “have-nots” and that glorifies competition and efficiency, while reducing individuals to abstractions. In this way, capitalism alienates people from each other, their families, and their communities, thus setting the stage for anti-social, increasingly violent behavior among ordinary people, against ordinary people.

Violence is a response to the “soulessness” and hopelessness engendered by an inherently exploitative economic system. Of course, violence is not unique to capitalism, nor are all capitalist societies equally violent. Where the most destructive, alienating, and exploitative aspects of the capitalist process are mitigated, intra-societal violence is lessened. But where the forces of capitalism are unleashed and where vast segments of society are left unprotected, violence thrives.

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“Theories” about gun violence: argument no. 3People and societies are responsible for their own actions and decisions, but they do not exist or act in a social vacuum. Their behavior, in other words, is profoundly influenced by the “environment” in which they live. This environment, which we might call “culture,” may encourage certain practices and values that encourage criminally violent behavior among certain groups of people. More specifically, in some places, a “culture of violence” has been created. In this “culture of violence,” members of the community learn to resolve or address problems and conflicts primarily through the use violence. Violence, in other words, becomes a dominant and largely accepted norm within the community. Importantly, cultures of violence are not “born,” but created. Over time, however, violent cultural practices become deeply embedded within a community, taking on a life of their own. When this happens, the culture itself becomes an explanation for behavior.

One can argue that a culture of violence, albeit not one of “gun violence” per se, existed in the era of Jim Crow in the American south. Repugnant violence, particularly in the form of public lynchings, were an accepted norm, viewed as “entertainment” by many southern whites.

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Summary of “Theories” on Gun Violence Argument 1: A major source of violent

crime lies in predictable human behavior

Argument 2: Capitalism causes violence

Argument 3: Crime reflects a “culture of violence”


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Theory in Comparative PoliticsTheory in Comparative PoliticsKey points:Key points:

Each of the three “theories” represent different Each of the three “theories” represent different research traditionsresearch traditions common in comparative politics common in comparative politics

Each of the three “theories” are marked by Each of the three “theories” are marked by significant differencessignificant differences

One important difference relates to a One important difference relates to a level of level of analysis:analysis:Micro-levelMicro-levelMeso-levelMeso-levelMacro-levelMacro-level


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Theory in Comparative Politics: Levels of AnalysisTheory in Comparative Politics: Levels of Analysis Micro-levelMicro-level

Looks for an explanation of behavior within or at the level of the Looks for an explanation of behavior within or at the level of the individual: e.g., psychological explanations of Manson’s violent, individual: e.g., psychological explanations of Manson’s violent, sociopathic personality are micro-levelsociopathic personality are micro-level

Meso-levelMeso-levelLooks beyond the individual to broader environmental conditions: e.g., Looks beyond the individual to broader environmental conditions: e.g., some cultures encourage, reward, and even compel members of the culture some cultures encourage, reward, and even compel members of the culture to behave violently; others, such as the Amish community, teach their to behave violently; others, such as the Amish community, teach their members to abhor all forms of violence (members to abhor all forms of violence (only one Amish man has ever been convicted of murder))

Macro-levelMacro-levelLooks at the “biggest” forces that shape, not just individual behavior, Looks at the “biggest” forces that shape, not just individual behavior, but whole societies; assumes that all human action is both constrained but whole societies; assumes that all human action is both constrained and enabled by factors beyond our individual control: Marxists believe and enabled by factors beyond our individual control: Marxists believe that capitalism is an all-encompassing social system that profoundly that capitalism is an all-encompassing social system that profoundly shapes our behaviorshapes our behavior


The Amish: A culture of peace and non-violence?

To Marxists, the global To Marxists, the global system of neo-liberal system of neo-liberal capitalism is an capitalism is an overarching force shaping overarching force shaping the entire worldthe entire world

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/family/gingerich/1.html



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Theory in Comparative Politics

Another way to classify the statements is in terms of the three research traditions discussed in chapter three:

Theory 1: fits into a ___________________ framework




cultural

rational choicestructural

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Theory in Comparative Politics Which approach best reflects your current

understanding of gun violence (or criminal violence more generally)? Are a rationalist, a structuralist, or a culturalist? Which “hat” do you already wear?

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What is theory? What is meant by the term “theorizing?

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Theory in Comparative Politics When we theorize, we are …

1. making judgments about what it and is not relevant or important in terms of explaining some significant economic, social or political phenomenon

2. identifying a specific level of analysis and making assumptions about power, structure, and agency

3. connecting certain facts with specific outcomes

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Theory in Comparative PoliticsA basic definition of theory: A theory is a kind of simplifying device that allows you to decide which facts matter and which do not

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Theory as a simplifying device: an example

Theory = (Conceptual) Filter

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Another Useful

Metaphor: Theory as

a Photograph

ic Lens

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Theory as a Photographic Lens

Basic lesson: Different “lenses” (re theories) serve different purposes; this may help explain why, in the social sciences, there are multiple, often competing theories

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Multiple TheoriesThe existence of multiple theories raises some questions …

Are all theories equally valid? Are different theories—even personal ones—all equally good?

NO!

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Some Problems in “Bad Theories” and Theorizing

Many people …… theorize in an extremely superficial or arbitrary manner; jump to conclusions; ignore or dismiss “facts” that don’t fit into their understanding of the world; fail to acknowledge logical contradictions; confuse “observation” or correlation with causation; never (ever) think about the assumptions upon which their views are based; or regard their theories or theorizing about the world as self-evidently true

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Some Problems in “Bad Theories” and Theorizing

The basic problem can be summed up simply: Many people operate on a modified version of Descartes’ famous dictum (“I think therefore I am”), by asserting …

I think, therefore I’m right

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An amended definition of theory

Theory is a simplified representation of reality and a framework within which facts are not only selected, but also interpreted, organized, and fit together so that they create a coherent whole

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Key Points in Amended Definition

Theory necessarily simplifies reality, but is not separate from reality

Theory helps us to determine what facts are important, meaningful, relevant

Theory guides our interpretation of the “facts” (What do the facts “mean”?)

Theory tells us how to organize the facts--how do different facts relate to one another? Which are primary?

Theory allows us to develop “whole” arguments

pols 373 foundations of comparative politics

Documents

gun violence

use of violence

use violence

culture of violence

cultures of violence

intrasocietal violence

violent behavior

violent crime introduction