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Source:•Michael G. Roskin, Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros, & Walter S. Jones. (2012). Political Science: An Introduction. New York: Pearson Longman.

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Nation and State

Nation

Population with common history, culture, language

State

Government structure, independent & sovereign

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Nation and State

French king & state created the French

nation

Framers of the U.S. Constitution created

the U.S. nation

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Institutionalized Power

Political institutions are the working structures of

government

Good institutions are flexible & change; they give stability

to the political system

Personalities create powers of institutions

Institutions are greater than individual leaders

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StatesEffective

States

Control & tax the whole country; laws are obeyed; no corruption; better off

Weak States

Crime; lawlessness, corruption, breakaway

movements; buy justice; rigged elections

Failed States

No real government; little control over country; warlords & criminal cartels; threats of

territorial break up

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AristotleWho Governs

Legitimate Forms:Rules in the Interest of All

Corrupt Forms:Rule in the Interest of Selves

One Monarchy Tyranny

Few Aristocracy Oligarchy

Many Polity Democracy

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Figurehead Monarchies

Denmark MonacoNether-

landsSpain U.K.

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True Monarchies (Muslim Countries)

KuwaitSaudi Arabia

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Most Countries Are…

Called Republics

but not all are

democratic

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Republics1. Some republics are

highly centralized.

2. Most policies come from the capital.

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Systems of Government

Unitary

Federal

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Unitary Systems1. The central government controls

everything (not federal system)

2. U.K. officially is unitary.

3. Many countries have devolved & decentralized over the years: U.K., France, Spain, etc.

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Pros & Cons of Unitary SystemsPros

1. Government is close to the people

2. People can influence local governments

3. Can experiment at local level

Cons

1. Local governments lack resources

2. Incompetent & corrupt local officials

3. Duplication & lack of coordination between local & national government

Not clear who is in charge: national or local government

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Federal System

Central government can’t easily override autonomy

& powers

One way to keep a country together, e.g. India at independence

Entities that would otherwise be weak have

stronger defense

Larger economy with no trade barriers; more

prosperous

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Pros & Cons of Fedeal SystemsPros

1. Centralized power solve many problems

2. Clear lines of authority

3. Easier policy coordination

Cons

1. Local governments can’t do simple tasks

2. Local governments may be ignored

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Modern Federal Systems

Russian Federation

Canadian Federalism:

Bilingual

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Electoral System

Single-Member Districts

Proportional Representation

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Electoral SystemsSingle-Member Districts

1. One person elected in each district

2. Third parties have little chance of winning many districts

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Single-Member DistrictsPros

1. Politics tend to be moderate (not extremes)

2. Usually one party gets majority in legislature

Cons

1. Artificial majority

2. Gerrymandering makes one party safe for most district seats

3. Stable and dull politics (unlike multiparty systems)

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Electoral SystemsProportional Representation

1. Multi-member districts where political party gets seats proportional to the votes it got

2. A minimum % of votes required to win a seat

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Proportional RepresentationPros

1. Legislature more accurately reflects party strength & public opinion

2. Parties have clear principles & don’t need to appeal to a broad center

Cons

1. Party splintering lead to multi-party systems

2. Coalitions needed, causing instability & inability to make important decisions

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Political Economy1. To what extent should the

state control the economy?

2. To what extent should the country’s wealth be redistributed to the poor?

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Political Economy

Laisse-Faire

Welfare State

Statism

Socialism

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Political Economy

Laissez-Faire

Government owns little industry & redistributes

little welfare

Welfare State

Government owns little industry but redistributes

wealth to poor (Scandinavia)

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Political Economy

Statism

Government owns major inefficient industry &

redistributes little welfare (French monarchy)

Socialism

Government owns industry but redistributes extensive wealth (Soviet Union; Mao Zedong’s

China)

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Political Economy1. In reality, governments

combine different models.

2. e.g. U.S. is capitalist, laissez-faire, but has welfare (social security)

Rey Ty© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

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Reference:•Michael G. Roskin, Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros, & Walter S. Jones. (2012). Political Science: An Introduction. New York: Pearson Longman.

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