6 Comparative Politics Free Online FlashCards

What does comparative politics study?

Comparative politics systematically compares political systems to explain their similarities, differences, and outcomes.

What makes a country comparison systematic?

Define concepts consistently, select cases for a clear reason, and consider alternative explanations.

What is a political regime?

A political regime is the set of rules and practices governing access to political power and its exercise.

What distinguishes democracy from autocracy?

In democracies, citizens can meaningfully choose and replace leaders; in autocracies, rulers lack meaningful accountability through competitive elections.

Do elections alone make a country democratic?

No. Opposition, media, courts, and voters also need meaningful freedoms and protections.

What defines an electoral autocracy?

An electoral autocracy holds elections but restricts genuine political competition.

How does a liberal democracy go beyond an electoral democracy?

Electoral democracies combine meaningful elections with broader political freedoms. Liberal democracies add stronger limits on executive power and protections for civil liberties and the rule of law.

What is state capacity?

State capacity is a government's ability to carry out decisions and perform public functions, such as collecting taxes or delivering services.

Does strong state capacity mean government choices are fair?

No. Capacity concerns whether a state can implement its choices, not whether those choices are fair or beneficial; it is also distinct from democracy and government size.

How do parliamentary and presidential systems differ?

Parliamentary governments depend on legislative confidence; presidential executives have a separate mandate and fixed term.

What distinguishes federal from unitary systems?

Federal systems constitutionally divide authority between national and regional governments. Unitary systems place ultimate authority at the national level, though they may delegate powers.

How do proportional and plurality systems tend to differ?

Proportional systems generally tend to represent a wider range of parties; plurality systems often favor larger parties. Outcomes also depend on rules and political context.