Political and Economic ChangeDr. AfxendiouAP Comparative Government and PoliticsSachem North High School
Where are we?Unit I – Introduction to
Comparative PoliticsSovereignty, Authority and PowerPolitical InstitutionsCitizens, Society and the State• Political and Economic ChangePublic PolicyComparison: Sources and Analysis
of Data
Τypes of change REFORM – does not advocate the
overthrow of basic institutions. Reformers are only seeking to change some of the methods that political and economic leaders use to reach their goals. Examples?
Τypes of change REVOLUTION – involves a major
revision or a total overthrow of basic institutions.◦What basic institutions did the
Industrial Revolution change?◦What basic institutions did the
French Revolution change?
Τypes of change COUP D’ ETATS – French
expression meaning “blows to the state.” They replace the leadership of a state. Typically occur in countries with weak government institutions and where the leaders have taken over by force. They use force to depose leaders. Usually carried out by the military.◦Are you aware of any coup d’ etats?
Attitudes toward changeRADICALISM – believe that RAPID,
dramatic changes need to be made in society, including the political system◦Radicals believe that the existing
system cannot be saved therefore it must be overturned and replaced with something better. Can you think of an example of radicals bringing change?
Attitudes toward changeLIBERALISM – support reform and
gradual change rather than revolution.◦Liberals do not think that the
political and/or economic systems are permanently broken, they believe that they can be repaired or improved. They support the notion that eventual transformation needs to take place but they almost always believe that GRADUAL CHANGE is best.
Attitudes toward changeCONSERVATISM – less supportive
of change than radicals and liberals◦Conservatives tend to see change as
disruptive and sometimes brings unforeseen consequences. They consider the state and the regime to be very important sources of law and order that might be threatened by making significant changes in the way they operate. Change might undermine legitimacy and/or the basic values of the society
Attitudes toward changeREACTIONARY beliefs – even more
against change than conservatives.◦Reactionaries are similar to conservatives
in that they oppose both revolution and reform, but they differ in that they also find the status quo unacceptable. Instead, they want to turn back the clock to an earlier era, the good old days, and reinstate political, social and economic institutions that once existed. Similar with radicals in their willingness to use violence to achieve their goals.
Three trends of changeDEMOCRATIZATIONMOVE TOWARD MARKET
ECONOMIESREVIVAL OF ETHNIC OR
CULTURAL POLITICS
DemocratizationDemocracy takes many forms but one
essential requirement in any country calling itself democratic is the presence of COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS that are regular, free, and fair.
By this definition, some countries that call themselves democracies are in a sort of grey area as they are not clearly holding competitive elections.◦From our AP 6, Russia and Nigeria are in
the grey area
DemocratizationLIBERAL DEMOCRACIES – countries that go
beyond the basic requirement of competitive elections. They have other democratic characteristics such as:◦ Civil liberties – freedom of belief, speech and
assembly◦ Rule of law - provides for equal treatment of
citizens and due process◦ Neutrality of the judiciary – checks on the abuse
of power◦ Open civil society – allows citizens to lead private
lives and mass media to operate independently from government
◦ Civilian control of the military – restricts the likelihood of the military taking control of the government
DemocratizationLIBERAL DEMOCRACIES
(continued)◦Also called substantive democracies
Substantive democracies – citizens have access to multiple sources of information
DemocratizationILLIBERAL DEMOCRACIES – have
democratic procedures in place but have significant restrictions on them◦Also called procedural democracies
◦ex. Rule of law may be in place but it is not followed consistently by those who are in power
◦Presidents often hold disproportionate share of power and the legislatures are less able to check executive power.
DemocratizationILLIBERAL DEMOCRACIES
(continued)◦Elections lack true competitiveness.
Political parties and interest groups are restricted.
◦Some political theorists do not view them at all as democracies, they prefer to refer to the system as “electoral authoritarianism”
DemocratizationThe presence of a procedural
democracy is a necessary condition for the development of substantive democracy, but many procedural democracies do not qualify as substantive democracies because they are missing the other necessary characteristics
Fareed Zakariahttps://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDoUHECxwFY
Illiberal Democracy and Vladimir Putin’s Russia
Why has democratization occurred?The 3rd wave of democratization
at present (Samuel Huntington)◦Began in 1970s◦First wave the gradual historical
developments over time (think Magna Carta)
◦Second wave after WWII until the 1960s – the period of de-colonization
Why has democratization occurred?The 3rd wave of democratization
◦Began with end of dictatorial regimes beginning in the 1970s in South America, in Eastern Europe in early 1990s (there was some change in the 1980s, ex. Poland), and some parts of Africa throughout this time period
Why has democratization occurred?Again, according to S. Huntington – the 3rd
wave of democratization occurred because1. Both right and left wing authoritarian regimes
have lost legitimacy2. There has been an expansion of the urban
middle class in developing countries3. There has been a new emphasis on human
rights by the US and EU4. There has been a snowball effect – when
one country in a region becomes democratic it influences others to do so as well.
Democratic ConsolidationAn authoritarian regime may
transition to a democratic one as a result of a “trigger event,” such as an economic crisis or a military defeat.
It may have a gradual transition caused by political discontent “the revolution of rising expectations” fueled by a period of relative
improvement in the standard of living
Democratic ConsolidationThe changes that occur because of this may
not necessarily be democratic system changes to a democratic one only when the
ruling elite accept to share power with the people and the people are willing to participate and support the process – DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION
Democratic consolidation creates a stable political system that is supported by all parts of the society. All institutions and many people participate so that democracy penetrates political parties, the judiciary and the bureaucracy. The military cooperates with political leaders and subordinates its will to the democratically-based government
A state that progresses from a procedural democracy to a substantive democracy through democratic consolidation is said to experience POLITICAL LIBERALIZATION – it is now a liberal democracy.
What is the greatest obstacle to democratization?Discuss
http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/16649-the-interaction-between-poverty-growth-and-democracy
Move toward market economiesMarket economies
characterized by economic liberalismMarket economy – right to own
property; private industry; competition and profit not controlled by government
Economic liberalism – economic freedoms; economic goals should be free of government interference
Move toward market economiesPolitical scientists examine the
relationship between marketization and democratization
Disagreement if there is causation◦Often the two are found together ◦Mexico – exemption. Moved toward market
economy in the 1980s and democratization followed in the late 1980s
◦China – exemption. Moving toward capitalism since late 1970s and there is no sign of democratization
Move toward market economiesLiberalism – ideas that began in the 19th
century. Liberals supported political and economic freedoms; they were the bourgeoisieBourgeoisie – middle class professionals or
businessmen who wanted their views to be represented in government and their economic goals to be unhampered by government interference. Believed in political freedoms – of religion, press, assembly – and the rule of law, and economic freedoms such as the right to own private property, free trade with low or no tariffs.
Move toward market economies
Radicals - believed that liberals accepted too much inequality in their society as long as they had their rights. Radicals emphasized equality more than liberty. Karl Marx – a radical whose came up with theories of
communism applied in communist countries of the 20th century.
Communist countries – in order to achieve more equality, these countries relied on command economy
Command economy – government owns almost all industries and sales outlets. Based on socialist principles of centralized planning, quota-setting, and state ownership so that economy is managed by a party-dominated state planning committee which produces detailed blueprints for economic production and distribution, often in the form of five-year plans.
Move toward market economiesAll societies of the 21st century
are moving toward market economiesMarket economies – based on
private ownership of property and little interference from government regulation
Economic liberalization – the process of limiting the power of the state over private property and market forces
Move toward market economiesWhat type of market economy
will be more successful, a mixed economy or a pure market economy?Mixed economy – allows for
significant control from the central government
Move toward market economiesFactors that promoted the
movement toward market economies (marketization):1) Belief that the government is too
big – reaction to command economies where the government, in order to take care of all issues in the economy grew in size. In the 1980s during a time of economic stagnation, in the US and other western countries there were anti-big government movements as a solution out of the economic problems.
Move toward market economies
Factors that promoted the movement toward market economies (marketization):2) Lack of success of command economies
– once the Soviet Union collapsed, Eastern European countries moved their economies away from command towards market economies; the Soviet Union was seen as proof of the ineffectiveness of the command economy model. China, a big command economy that was almost near economic collapse in the 1970s, infused capitalism into its system that is today an economically successful socialist market economy.
Move toward market economiesMarketization- a state’s re-
creation of its market system where property, labor, goods and services function in a competitive environment to determine their value.
Privatization- the transfer of state owned property to private ownership
Move toward market economies
A disadvantage of the free market economy is that it goes through cycles of prosperity and scarcity◦Recessions – small market downturns◦Depressions – big market downturnsBut the market will correct itself eventually
following the adjustment of supply and demand.
Because of this, most countries have opted for the mixed economy model.
Mixed economy – more government involvement than in a market economy but less control than in a command economy
Move toward market economies
COMMANDECONOMY
MIXEDECONOMY
MARKETECONOMY
Restricted rights to own property.
All industry owned by the government
Competition and profit are prohibited
Elements of command and market economies are present (mixed)
Guaranteed right to own property.
Most industry is owned by private individuals
Competition and profit are not controlled by the government
More centralization
Less centralization
Revival of Ethnic or Cultural PoliticsFragmentation – divisions
based on ethnic or cultural identity
Dominant focus of the 21st century is the politicization of religion◦in the United States ◦In the Middle East