22.03.

2013

Political Science: An Introduction Chapter 4 States

Nation and State

Nation a population with sense of self, shared history, culture, and often language State governmental structure, usually sovereign and powerful to enforce its rule over a specific territory States typically create nations, not other way around

Course: Introduction to Political Science Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN Date: 29/03/2013

French nation created by French kings and their state United States, as a nation, created by framers of Constitution out of 13 colonies

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Institutionalized Power

Effective, Weak, and Failed States

Political institutions are working structures of government Powers of institutions created by forceful personalities Good institutions are flexible and evolve; institutions give political system stability Institutions greater than individual leaders

Effective states control and tax entire territory, ensure laws are obeyed; corruption is minor; tend to be better off Weak states crime penetrates politics; government unable to fight lawlessness, corruption, breakaway movements; justice is bought, elections often rigged; most revenue disappears into private pockets Failed states no real national government with little if any control of territory; warlords and criminal cartels free to do what they want; threatened with territorial breakup

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Aristotles Six Types of Government

Monarchies and Republics

The earliest and most famous classification of governments was Aristotles in the fourth century B.C. A monarchy, according to Aristotle, is one person ruling in the interest of all Aristocracy is several persons ruling in the interest of all Aristotle saw the polity as the rule of many in the interests of all and the best form of government

Several figurehead monarchies exist such as Britain, Spain, Holland, Denmark Only a few true monarchies exist, mostly in Muslim countries such as Morocco, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia Most nations call themselves republics, but not all are democratic Some republics are highly centralized and most policies and rules emanate from the capital

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

22.03.2013

Unitary Systems

Pros and Cons of Unitary Systems

Unitary governments control local authorities and citizens lives more than federal systems do Officially Britain is unitary, but has devolved power

Pros

People closest to their local governments People can better influence local governments Greater experimentation possible at local level

Cons

France also decentralized power in recent decades Spain has granted autonomy to many of its regions; Basques remain a problem

Local governments may lack resources to meet many needs Local officials often incompetent and corrupt Local decision-making can be duplicative of services and poorly coordinated with national efforts

Can have ambiguity of who is in charge, center or local governments

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Federalism

Pros and Cons of Federal Systems

A federal system grants much autonomy to first-order civil divisions with some powers that cannot be easily overridden by central government Federal systems provide stronger defense for entities that would be weak on their own A federal union may be only way to keep a state together, as was the case with India at independence A federal system provides a larger economy without trade barriers, thus aiding greater prosperity

Pros

Centralization may solve modern problems Clear lines of authority can be useful Coordination of policy is easier

Cons

Local governments may not have power to perform simple tasks Local governments may be ignored

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Modern Federal Systems

Electoral Systems

Ex-Soviet Federalism Russian Federation successor to USSR

Single-Member Districts

Some members didnt like being in Soviet Union and resist being part of new federation

One person elected per district Usually requires only a plurality of votes to win district Third parties have little hope of winning many districts

Ex-Yugoslav Federalism Yugoslavia an artificial state created after World War I

Advantages:

Ethnic conflict held in check under Tito; collapsed into bloody civil wars after his death

Politics tends to go to the center rather than to extremes Usually one party can get legislative majority

Disadvantages:

Canadian Federalism French-speaking Qubecois poorer and feel discriminated against

Federal government made Canada bilingual, but Qubec seeks separate status

Tends to create artificial majority, not accurately reflecting public opinion or voting strength Most district seats are safe for one party or another due to gerrymandering Politics tends to be more stable and dull compared to multiparty systems

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

22.03.2013

Electoral Systems

States and the Economy

Proportional Representation

Multimember districts in which party gets seats in proportion to the votes it receives A minimum percentage of votes required to win a seat

Key questions: How much of economy should state control, and how much national wealth should be redistributed to poorer citizens? Laissez-faire Government owns little industry and redistributes little as welfare Welfare state Government owns little industry but redistributes wealth to less well-off: welfare social democracies of Scandinavia

Advantages:

Countrys legislature more accurately reflects public opinion and party strength Parties can articulate principles more clearly as they dont have to appeal to broad center of spectrum

Disadvantages:

Much party splintering leading to multiparty systems Often coalitions required which tend to be unstable and unable to make important decisions

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013

States and the Economy

Statism Government owns much major industry but redistributes little, as in French monarchy; State-owned firms often inefficient and operate at a loss Socialism State ownership of industry and extensive welfare; Soviet Union main example, worked poorly Typically, governments combine elements of these systems; U.S., touted for capitalism, both regulates industry and provides welfare such as social security

Course: Introduction to Political Science

Instructor: Armaan GZKAMAN

Date: 29/03/2013