ANNUAL EDITIONS COMPARATIVE POLITICS 11 AND 12 34ED (PB 2011)

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Annual Editions: Comparative Politics, 11/12

Preface

Topic Guide

Internet References

Unit 1: Why Comparative Politics?

Unit Overview

1. North Korea on the Edge: If the Regime Collapses, Will the Rest of the World Be Ready?, B. R. Myers, Wall Street Journal, March 27, 2010

It is sometimes easy to dismiss foreign affairs on the grounds that the politics and resultant policies of foreign countries could not possibly impact us. This article highlights the problems that erratic governance as far away as North Korea poses to the rest of the world. But, will its collapse mean a better world? Or will the problems pose greater dangers? As the author notes, we all have an interest in knowing the answers to these questions.

2. Somali Piracy: A Nasty Problem, a Web of Responses, James Kraska and Brian Wilson, Current History, May 2009

The threat of Somali pirates to maritime activities showcases another problem of unstable governments that are unable to enforce the rule of law. The successful U.S. rescue of the American cargo ship was a remarkable affirmation of the U.S. capabilities; however, as the article points out, the geographic vastness inhibits any one country from effectively patrolling the seas. While countries may unite to control piracy, the long-run reduction depends on institutional-building by strengthening the government in Somalia.

3. Corruption Suspected in Airlift of Billions in Cash from Kabul, Matthew Rosenberg, Wall Street Journal, June 28, 2010

Another reason for paying attention to foreign governance and policies: It pays (literally) to know what accountability and oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure that aid is used appropriately. If, as the article notes, as much as $3 billion has been shipped out of Afghanistan in the last 3 years, how should we treat more requests for money? What are the consequences of halting aid to Afghanistan?

4. Corruption You Can Count On, Raymond Fisman, The Wall Street Journal, April 3, 2010

Clearly, the world will be a better place without corruption. Yet, it is not clear that eradicating corruption will be a successful endeavor. That being the case, an important question is: What types of corruption are less detrimental than others? If not all corruption is equal, do we need to distinguish between corruption that destroys and that which is merely disagreeable?

5. The Politics of Death in Darfur, Gérard Prunier, Current History, Vol. 105, Issue 691, May 2006

Combating violence is one of the foremost reasons why we care about politics in foreign countries. Notwithstanding our efforts and participation, violence of astounding magnitudes occurs. In examining and describing the crisis in Darfur, the author raises the fundamental questions : How did it get so bad? Were our efforts too little too late?

6. When to Step in to Stop War Crimes Causes Fissures, Neil MacFarquhar, The New York Times, July 22, 2009

Even when we agree that we need to stop war crimes, can we forge the policy to do so? The debate in the UN on the issue reveals that the means to this end remains fraught with problems and consensus is elusive. On the one hand, it seems that military intervention as a final response from the international community is necessary to enforce the UN's R2P doctrine. On the other hand, the variety of crises that have led some to invoke the doctrine elicits suspicion and concern. When is the time to step in and how?

7. Mexican Drug Trafficking, The New York Times, June 9, 2010

Closer to home, we need to look no further than Mexico's drug war to see that we are vested in its success. It is clear that U.S. participation and coordination with the Mexican government helps significantly in this effort to stamp out drug trafficking. It is also useful to see that the long-term prospects for success depends on improving the government and civilian infrastructure, such as law enforcement and rebuilding communities. The shift in strategies—from military assistance to institution-strengthening—attests to the fact that success is built on learning and knowing a country, its politics, and its people.

Unit 2: Studying Comparative Politics: Developing Theories, Culling Evidence, and Interpretation over Time

Unit Overview

8. What Democracy Is . . . and Is Not, Philippe C. Schmitter and Terry Lynn Karl, Journal of Democracy, Summer 1991

The term "democracy" is often used normatively to defend political decisions or outcomes. In this article, the authors outline what the term means conceptually, procedurally, and in principle. They also emphasize citizen participation as an integral concept to democracy. This is made clearer in the discussion on procedures, where the authors note that citizen participation underlies the procedures that realize democracy. Finally, the authors explain that no single set of actual institutions, practices, or values embodies democracy.

9. Twenty-Five Years, Fifteen Findings, Philippe C. Schmitter, Journal of Democracy, Vol. 21, No. 1, January 2010

Too often, we fail to consider that theory and evidence—much of what we take as given— are challenged repeatedly and have evolved over time. In this article, we find out the reactions of the previous author, Philippe Schmitter, to the theoretical and empirical challenges of the theory of democracy espoused, as well as a "refresher" of 15 points he considers relevant to the understanding of democratic development after 25 years.

10. Schmitter's Retrospective: A Few Dissenting Notes, Guillermo O'Donnell, Journal of Democracy, Vol. 21, No. 1, January 2010

This article by one of Schmitter's co-authors emphasizes the slow, deliberative process that buttresses theoretical development and interpretation of evidence. Two points need to be made: First, there are many sources of disagreement in terms of theoretical development or interpetation of evidence. Second, what often follows from the disagreement is a re-examination of the theory and evidence, with resultant nuances added to the theory. In this way, the very process ensures that theoretical developments are rigorous and robust. And, it provides the room for continued evolution of theory and practice to match.

11. People Power, Sarah Childress, The Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2008

This article captures one of the points of disagreement between Schmitter and O'Donnell: Does citizen power matter? If so, how much? This article highlights that democratic footholds are established in Ghana, Tanzania, Mauritius, Senegal, Mozambique, South Africa, and Botswana, and that the substantial gains pursued by citizens and groups in securing democratic government in their respective countries. In describing the challenges to Mugabe in Zimbabwe, the article highlights, once again, the significant role of citizens and groups in pursuing fairness and accountability and effecting change in the process. Does the evidence vindicate O'Donnell's point or support Schmitter's perspective?

12. Advanced Democracies and the New Politics, Russell J. Dalton, Susan E. Scarrow, and Bruce E. Cain, Journal of Democracy, January 2004

It is important to note that theoretical discussions often focus on archetypes. Reality often departs from these archetypes. This is why continued study remains important. In this article, the authors point out that even in established democracies, democratic development continues. In these countries, citizens are demanding more access, greater transparency in policymaking, and more accountability in government. The authors also show how procedures other than elections meet these demands. In particular, the authors note three trends in the evolution of democracy. First, changes such as campaign financing and term limits affect representation. Second, initiatives and referenda, where citizens participate directly in policymaking, are increasing. Third, citizens and interest groups are using the courts to pursue policy formation. Do the authors vindicate O'Donnell's point or do they support Schmitter's perspective?

13. Facing the Challenge of Semi-Authoritarian States, Marina Ottaway, Facing the Challenge of Semi-Authoritarian States, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2003

When we focus on democracies as archetypes, we often also set up dictatorships as the opposite end of the archetypal spectrum. Yet, as the author notes, many countries fall in the middle. These political hybrids, or semi-authoritarian regimes, contain many widely used processes in democracies, such as regular elections, rights of citizens, and an independent press . However, these states are not really aiming to become pluralist democracies. Instead, the ruling group s seem to take advantage of the democratic label without incurring the political risks that a free society entails. The author asks, "How should such regimes be dealt with?" She notes that promoting democracy in such regimes does not begi...