Nature and Scope of Comparative Politics

Connotation of the term politics in Comparative Politics

 The nature of comparative politics seeks to analyze and compare

different political systems that work under different societies.
Therefore, it takes into account all the three connotations of the term
politics which are as follows:

1. Political Activity
- Consist of the efforts by which the conditions of conflicts are
created and resolved in a way pertaining to the interest of
people as far as possible who play in they’re oart in struggle
for power.

2. Political Process
- Is an extension of political anarchy.

3. Political Power
- Is the major topic in comparative politics
- The term power is a certain kind of human
relationship(Friedrich).
- à power as a capacity of an individual or group of individual to
modify the conduct of other individual in a manner which he
desires- Tanner (J.C. Johari, 1982).

 Political activitydeals with the activities involved in the resolution of

conflict or in the struggle for power which is an authoritative allocation
of values, that involves an analysis of the process by the authoritative
values are made and implemented .
 It involves the study if government and also non-states agencies,
through which political process is made operational. The political
process depends upon the signals and information which receives
from non-states agencies.
 It further transforms these signals and information into authoritative
values.
  Politics hence involves the study of power and power relations in
society since it is a struggle for power and a process of conflict
resolution through the use of legitimate power.

Contemporary Comparative Politics

The study of comparative politics is characterized by the following features:

 Analytical Research
- Contemporary comparative politics, is no longer confined to
descriptive studies and becomes an Empirical Analytic
Research, providing a clearer view of the actual activities of
the government along with their structures and functions.

 Objective study of Political Science

- Deals with the empirical study of the various processes of
political study in different environments. And further takes
into account only those values whose validity can be
demonstrated scientifically.

 Study of Infrastructure
- Comparative politics analyzes the actual nature of individual,
groups, s structures, system s and subsystem, in relation to
the environment in which the behavior manifests. The study
of the dynamics of politics and it’s actual operation in the
environment is regarded as an essential component of
comparative politics.

 Study of developing and developed societies

- Study of developing and developer societies: Earlier
comparative politics was only confined to the study of the
political system of developed societies. However, it has
evolved in contemporary times and it stresses on the study of
political system for developing nations as well. In fact, modern
political scientist like David Easton and Sidney Verba, besides
 many others, are of the opinion that emphasis should be
given to the study of politics of a developing nations.

- These added features of contemporary politics make us see

comparative politics from a different point of view. It has
completely rejected all old norms and parochial nature of
traditional comparative politics. Now it is more realistic study
if politics which is capable of explaining and comparing the
phenomenon of politics around the world.

- Although terms comparative politics and comparative

government are usually used loosely and interchangeably
there still lies a point of difference between the two.

- While comparative government deals with an extensive study

of different political system with special emphasis on their
institutions and functions, comparative politics has a much
broader scope: for it covers and study also the non-state
politics. Hence comparative politics cover a much wide area in
the study of politics.

Major approach Political science As a discipline Concerned with:

 The problems of ends;

 The goals of good society means of governing in such a manner as to
realize the good Society through such as activities of the ruled (the
public), especially political actions personified in voting, public opinion,
and attitude formation And the underlying connections between
society and government.
 It's key concern is with power how it is shared through participation
and representation and how it is affected by the growth and change.
( David Apter)
 The study of comparative politics is so interesting because of the
different approaches, methods and techniques used in the realization
of political reality
 A number of significant writers hold contrary viewpoints and adopt
strategies.
  However, results seem to be interrelated or synonymous and through
time, some approaches have become stringent and have had to give
way to new and contemporary methods.

Themes of comparative politics

With a view of highlighting the meanings of different themes used in the

sphere of contemporary political analysis, defines some of them in the

Following:

1.Paradigm

- a framework of ideas that establishes a general context of analysis.

Fundamentally, it is combined with a mixture of philosophical assumptions
and criteria of valid knowledge.

2.Theory

- a generalized statement summarizing the real or supposed actions of a set

of variables, whether dependent, or independent, or intervening. A macro or
micro theory may deal with large or small groups or units and it may be
abstract, or formal or notational, or concrete.

3.Method

- a way of organizing a theory for application to data, and are known by the
names of conceptual schemes like comparative, configurational, historical,
simulative and experimental.

4.Technique

- Links method to the relevant data and represents various modes of

observation and ways of recording empirical information. It vary in
appropriateness, sampling, public-opinion testing, interviewing, regression
analysis, factoring, scaling and testing.

5.Model
- A simplified way of describing relationships from a paradigm, theory,
method or technique. It may be typological, descriptive, formal, mechanical,
organismic, biological, etc.

6. Strategy

- A peculiar way of applying one or more combinations of the above type to

a research problem requiring that quality and integrity should be combined
in a strategy. Thus, a good strategy fits a problem, theory, methods and
techniques together in a systematic and coherent way.

7. Research design

- Converts strategy into an operational plan for field work or an experiment.

It is an outline from which research is carried forward as well as the final
stage in professional research preparation.

STATE,NATION. SOVEREIGNTY AND AUTHORITY

Introduction

• The Americans think of the word state, typically conjure up the idea of
local, not centralized, politics.

• But for most people around the world, “the state” refers to centralized
authority, the locus of power.

• A state needs to be able to act as the primary authority over its territory
and the people who live there, setting forth laws and rights, resolving
disputes between people

and organizations, and generating domestic security.

THE CONCEPT OF STATE

 Max Weber (1919): a state is an institution which (successfully) claims

to exercise a monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a
given territory.
 Argues that it is force which constitutes the primary (not the only)
attribute which makes the state a state.
 State, as defined in political science, “refers to the community of
persons permanently occupying a definite portion of territory,
independent form external control, and possessing an organized
government to which greater body of inhabitants renders habitual
obedience.”
 A state is an icon, which represents a system, paradigm or concept
that is consisting of four essential elements or subsystems, namely:
people, territory, government, and sovereignty.
 Hague and Harrop (2004:7),‘the state is a unique institution, standing
above all other organizations in society.
 can legitimately use force to enforce its will and citizens must accept
its authority as long as they continue to live within its borders’.
 Michael J. Sodaro (2008:124) defines state as a ‘totality of country’s
governmental institutions and officials, together with the laws and
procedures that structure their activities.
 According to Thomas Hobbes, ‘the state’s main purpose would be to
leave humanity free to pursue science, art, exploration, and other
aspects of civilization without the pressures of continual fear, and
danger of violent death.’
 John Locke saw humans as born free and having the natural rights to
life, liberty and property, so the main purpose of the state is to protect
the possessions of its citizens as well as their individual rights and
freedoms.
 According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, ‘the chief purpose of the state is
to enable the sovereign people to express and carry out their general
will.
 To Adam Smith, ‘state’s chief purpose should be topromote private
enterprise and allow the forces of market economy to work without
excessive government interference’.

Elements

1. PEOPLE- refers to the inhabitants or group of individuals, of both

sexes, living together as a community. They must be sufficient in
number to maintain and perpetuate themselves. A casual
gathering, or a society of pirates would not constitute a state.
 2. TERRITORY- it refers to the fixed portion on earth’s surface
occupied by the inhabitants.

3. GOVERNMENT- refers to the agency or instrumentality, through

which the will of the people is formulated, expressed, and
realized.

4. SOVEREIGNTY - defined as the supreme and uncontrollable power

inherent in a state by which the state is governed.

Sovereignty

• Michael J. Sodaro (2008:126) defines it as ‘exclusive legal authority

of a government over its population and territory, independent of
external
authorities’.

Types of Sovereignty

1. Internal sovereignty refers to law-making power within territory.

2. External Sovereignty describes international recognition of
sovereign’s jurisdiction over its territory.

CLASSIFICATION OF STATES

Under international law, states may be categorized into independent

or dependent states, and neutral or neutralized states.

INDEPENDENT STATES

• Independent states are those sovereign political entities, which are

free to control, manage, and direct all their affairs internally or
externally without the intervention or interference from other states.
 DEPENDENT STATES

• Dependent states are those which are subject to the authority of one
or more states in the exercise and control of their external politics.

Nation

 A nation refers to a group of people who share common cultural,

linguistic, historical, or ethnic traits. These traits can include language,
religion, customs, traditions, and a sense of shared identity.

 Nations often have a strong sense of belonging and a collective

consciousness. They may see themselves as a distinct group with a
common
history and destiny.
 It's important to note that a nation doesn't necessarily have to be
confined within the borders of a single state. For instance, the Kurdish
people are a nation, but they do not have their own independent state.
 Nations can exist within a state (as is the case with various ethnic or
cultural groups within many countries), or they can strive for self-
determination and independence.
 In summary, a nation is a cultural, linguistic, or ethnic group with a
shared sense of identity, while a state is a political entity with defined
boundaries, a government, and the ability to conduct its own affairs in
the international arena.
 For example, consider the United Kingdom. It is a state composed of
four constituent countries (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern
Ireland), each with its own distinct cultural identity. England, Scotland,
and Wales are considered distinct nations within the UK, while
Northern Ireland has a complex identity influenced by both British and
Irish cultural elements.

The State is…

 The monopoly of force over a given territory.

 A set of political institutions to generate and carry out policy.
 Typically highly institutionalized.
  Sovereign.
 Characterized by such institutions as an army, police, taxation, a
judiciary, and a social welfare system.

 A state is a set of institutions that seeks to wield the majority of force

within a territory, establishing order and deterring challengers from
inside and out.

 Provides security for its subjects by limiting the danger of external

attack and internal crime and disorder—both of which are seen as
threats to the state and its citizens.

The Regime is…

• refers to the set of rules, norms, and practices that govern how a state
operates.

• It encompasses the political, social, and economic structures and

institutions that make up a government.

• Examples: There can be various types of regimes like democracies,

authoritarian regimes, monarchies, etc.

The Government is…

• is the specific group of individuals or institutions that make and enforce

decisions within a state. It is responsible for implementing laws, policies, and
regulations.

• Often characterized by elected officials, such as a president or prime

minister, or unelected officials, such as in authoritarianism.

• Limited by the existing regime.

A Country is…

• is concept that discussed—state, government, regime—as well as the

people who live within that political system.