pols 373 foundations of comparative politics introduction to theory in comparative politics january...

POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics

Introduction to Theory in

Comparative Politics

POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics

Introduction to Theory in

Comparative Politics

January 28, 2008

Timothy C. LimCalifornia State University, Los Angeles

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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Theories about Violent Crime Theories about Violent Crime in the U.S.in the U.S.

To start off our discussion of theory, To start off our discussion of theory, we will begin with an exercise …we will begin with an exercise …

Consider the following 4 “theories” Consider the following 4 “theories” (or arguments) about violent crime (or arguments) about violent crime in the United Statesin the United States

H YORTAn Introduction to Theory in Comparative PoliticsE

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“Theories” about Violent Crime: #1

A major source of violent crime lies in A major source of violent crime lies in predictablepredictable human behavior. In places where the risks of getting human behavior. In places where the risks of getting caught are minimal where the potential rewards are caught are minimal where the potential rewards are high, individuals are likely to commit more crimes in high, individuals are likely to commit more crimes in general. This is especially true in poorer general. This is especially true in poorer communities, where people may have limited access to communities, where people may have limited access to jobs, education and skills training. Violent crime jobs, education and skills training. Violent crime specifically is more likely (1) when the use of specifically is more likely (1) when the use of violence is a particularly efficient and/or necessary violence is a particularly efficient and/or necessary “tool,” and (2) where the use of violence to achieve “tool,” and (2) where the use of violence to achieve one’s ends entails relatively limited riskone’s ends entails relatively limited riskcompared to the alternativescompared to the alternatives


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“Theories” about Violent Crime: #2 Capitalism causes violence. Not directly, but

through a unrelenting process that divides societies into the “haves” and “have-nots” …. 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 exploitativeeconomic system.


Continued on next slideContinued on next slide

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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. This is why the United Statesis the most violent advanced capitalistsociety on earth.


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People 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.


Example: Street gangs develop their own cultures, which often glorify and

sanction violence

Example: Street gangs develop their own cultures, which often glorify and

sanction violence

Continued on next slideContinued on next slide

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“Theories” about Violent Crime: #3 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 explanationfor behavior.


Military forces consciously create a culture based, to a large extent, on violence

Military forces consciously create a culture based, to a large extent, on violence

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Summary of “Theories” on Violent Crime

Theory #1: Theory #1: A major source of violent A major source of violent crime lies in predictable human behaviorcrime lies in predictable human behavior

Theory #2:Theory #2: Capitalism causes violenceCapitalism causes violence

Theory #3:Theory #3: Crime reflects a “culture of Crime reflects a “culture of violence”violence”


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Theory in Comparative PoliticsTheory in Comparative Politics

Key points:Key points:

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

Each of the three “theories” are marked by Each of the three “theories” are marked by significant, but not necessarily obvious, significant, but not necessarily obvious, differencesdifferences

One important difference relates to a One important difference relates to a level of level of analysisanalysis


micro-levelmicro-level

meso-levelmeso-level

macro-levelmacro-level

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Theory in Comparative Politics: Theory in Comparative Politics: Levels of AnalysisLevels of Analysis

Micro-levelMicro-level

Looks for an explanation of behavior within or at the level of the individual

Example: A psychological explanation of Charles Manson’s violent, sociopathic personality; psychological explanations assume that the answer to certain types of violence can only be found by looking inside the minds of individuals


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Meso-levelMeso-levelLooks beyond the individual to broader social conditions; meso-level explanations can focus on community norms or culture more generally; institutional arrangements, historical experiences; state-level actions; and so on

Example: Some cultures encourage, reward, and even compel members of the culture to behave violently; others, such as the Amish community, teach their members to abhor all forms of violence (only one Amish man has ever been convicted of murder)


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

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



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


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

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

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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:

Fits into a ___________________ framework



cultural

rational choice

structural


THEORY 1THEORY 1

THEORY 2THEORY 2

THEORY 3THEORY 3

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Which approach best reflects your current understanding of violent crime? In other words, are you a rationalist, a structuralist, or a culturalist? Which “hat” do you already wear?


question

question

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Some More Questions

• What is theory?

• What is meant by the word “theorizing”?

• Is it only academics, such as Einstein, who theorize?


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Theory in Comparative PoliticsWhen we theorize, we are …

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

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

connecting certain facts with specific outcomes


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A 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” (a.k.a., theories) serve different purposes; this may help explain why, in the social sciences, there are multiple, often competing theories


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Multiple Theories

The existence of multiple theories raises some questions …

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

Short Answer:NO!


There are good, bad, andjust plain ugly theories

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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


One might argue that George W. Bush uses bad theory

One might argue that George W. Bush uses bad theory

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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

I think, therefore I’m right


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An Amended Definition of Theory

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


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Key Points in Amended DefinitionTheory 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 introduction to theory in comparative politics january...

Documents

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violent behavior

use of violence

use violence

culture of violence

comparative politics

sanction violence

major source of violent