Comparative Politics: Key Concepts and Models, Exams of Law

A concise overview of key concepts in comparative politics, including the differences between presidential and parliamentary systems, the concept of the welfare state, and the policy process model. It also explores specific examples such as bolsa familia in brazil and the differences in family policy across germany, the us, and sweden. Useful for students seeking a basic understanding of these topics.

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SPEA V
-
182 FINAL
Difference between a presidential and parliamentary system. - ✔️✔️a. Presidential:
there is one chief executive post. This post is occupied by the president, who is chosen
through a direct, nationwide election and serves a term of fixed length. Positions in the
legislature (a body of anywhere from several dozen to several hundred lawmakers) are
also determined by popular election.
b. Parliamentary: has two chief executives: the head of government- prime minister, and
the head of state- president or monarch. Prime minister is not chosen to be the head of
government though a direct nationwide election, but instead is designated by parliament
(elected legislature)
What does the term "welfare state" mean and how does it differ from the common
American use of the term "on welfare"? - ✔️✔️a. Welfare state: policies that protect
citizens against the risks to their well being that are associated with the market are often
collectively
i. Ex: health care, unemployment compensation, child care
b. The term welfare state brings to mind images of people living "on welfare" and
"welfare dependency"
The text describes three types of welfare state. Be able to name and describe each type
in detail, using an example for each. Be able to apply to family policy. Know how
government spending & measures of social inequality differ in these models. -
✔️✔️market, so they are not forced to work to survive
i. granting access to benefits and services based on citizenship. Such a welfare state is
said to provide a relatively high degree of citizen autonomy, limiting reliance on family
and market.
ii. Benefits extended to all citizens
iii. Emphasizes equality
b. Liberal/ anglo saxon model: U.S.: want to make workers as dependent as possible on
the labor market, so that they have incentives to work more to gain higher incomes
i. Economic freedom and market
ii. based on market dominance and private provision; ideally, in this model, the state
only interferes to ameliorate poverty and provide for basic needs, largely on a means-
tested basis. Hence, the decommodification potential of state benefits is assumed to be
low and social stratification high
c. Conservative/ continental model: Germany: want a corporate system that preserves
traditional hierarchies
Define hyperglobalization. Explain arguments for and against providing examples -
✔️✔️Hyperglobalization: excess of globalization, the exponential increase in the
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SPEA V-182 FINAL

Difference between a presidential and parliamentary system. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Presidential: there is one chief executive post. This post is occupied by the president, who is chosen through a direct, nationwide election and serves a term of fixed length. Positions in the legislature (a body of anywhere from several dozen to several hundred lawmakers) are also determined by popular election. b. Parliamentary: has two chief executives: the head of government- prime minister, and the head of state- president or monarch. Prime minister is not chosen to be the head of government though a direct nationwide election, but instead is designated by parliament (elected legislature)

What does the term "welfare state" mean and how does it differ from the common American use of the term "on welfare"? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Welfare state: policies that protect citizens against the risks to their well being that are associated with the market are often collectively i. Ex: health care, unemployment compensation, child care b. The term welfare state brings to mind images of people living "on welfare" and "welfare dependency"

The text describes three types of welfare state. Be able to name and describe each type in detail, using an example for each. Be able to apply to family policy. Know how government spending & measures of social inequality differ in these models. - ✔️ ✔️ market, so they are not forced to work to survive i. granting access to benefits and services based on citizenship. Such a welfare state is said to provide a relatively high degree of citizen autonomy, limiting reliance on family and market. ii. Benefits extended to all citizens iii. Emphasizes equality b. Liberal/ anglo saxon model: U.S.: want to make workers as dependent as possible on the labor market, so that they have incentives to work more to gain higher incomes i. Economic freedom and market ii. based on market dominance and private provision; ideally, in this model, the state only interferes to ameliorate poverty and provide for basic needs, largely on a means- tested basis. Hence, the decommodification potential of state benefits is assumed to be low and social stratification high c. Conservative/ continental model: Germany: want a corporate system that preserves traditional hierarchies

Define hyperglobalization. Explain arguments for and against providing examples - ✔️ ✔️ Hyperglobalization: excess of globalization, the exponential increase in the

international trade. The increase in trade occurs due to the increase in connectedness among nations i. Pros: increase of income in most nations ii. Cons: lead to income inequality, corporations have too much power

5 stages of the policy process model. Do practitioners actually follow these steps in order? - ✔️ ✔️ 1. Agenda setting: the act of defining something as a problem and deciding what issues will be addressed by the government- issues that will get on the policy agenda

  1. Policy formulation: who creates it? Government bureaucracies, interest groups, congressional committees, think tanks i. Policy network: multiple players that vary depending on the issue
  2. Decision-making
  3. Policy implementation: legislature often leaves policy "loosely defined", bureaucracy puts policy into practice i. Must make specific rules to implement laws ii. Create new agencies/programs to carry them out iii. May exercise discretion in enforcement
  4. Policy evaluation: evaluation of policy's effectiveness

practitioners dont nessarity follow the model

Explain the term "agenda-setting" using an example. - ✔️ ✔️ Agenda setting: the act of defining something as a problem and deciding that issues will be addressed by government- issues that will get on the policy agenda (gov't agenda)

Ex: Gun Controll Protests

Explain the terms "outside initiation" and "inside initiation" with examples. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Happens in agenda setting stage b. Outside initiation: organized interest groups attempt to raise the profile of an issue on the systemic agenda. Interest groups form allegiances with other groups, raise citizen awareness, and lobby the government to get their concerns onto the institutional agenda c. Inside initiation: influential interest groups seek to pressure the government to address particular concerns without expanding the visibility of the debate on the systemic agenda. Interest groups do not engage in advertising campaigns and public rallies but instead attempt to influence government policymakers

Explain the term "policy formulation" with an example. What specific groups of people are likely to be involved in the stage? - ✔️ ✔️ Policy formulation: what the government is going to do in order to form the policies b. Government bureaucracies, interest groups, congressional committees, think tanks

Explain the term "decision-making" and be able to distinguish it from the other 4 stages.

  • ✔️ ✔️ Decision Making: the component of the policy making process that involves the

Be familiar with term "means-testing" and explain how it relates to one model of the welfare state. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Means-testing: make (a welfare payment, etc) conditional on a means test i. Requirement that applicants for public assistance submit to investigation of their needs and resources ii. Liberal welfare state

What is Bolsa Familia? Explain where it is used & how it works. Discuss its effectiveness (positive/negative). - ✔️ ✔️ a. Bolsa Familia: Brazils CCT program and the largest antipoverty program in latin America, is a major innovation in the development of the welfare state in developing countries. b. Pros: has substantially reduced poverty and inequality, provides financial aid to poor families, largest conditional cash transfer program in the world c. Cons: could discourage the search for employment, program being used as a way to "buy" the votes of poor people

Be familiar with the terms conditional & unconditional cash transfer. Be able to illustrate conditional cash transfer with a specific example - ✔️ ✔️ a. Conditional cash transfer: programs that provide cash grants to the poor and in exchange require particular beneficial behavior from the poor such as children's attendance at school and visits to health clinics i. Ex: bosla family- brazils cct program b. Unconditional cash transfer: aim to reduce poverty by providing welfare programs without any conditions upon the receivers actions

Define the term "public good." Explain how it might be related to family policy. Use an example to illustrate. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Public good: one produced, everyone enjoys benefit; consumption by one does not prevent consumption by others i. Ex: clean air, national defense ii. Kids can be seen as public goods

What is paid parental leave? Define and explain whether it applies in Germany, the U.S., and Sweden. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Paid paternal leave: eligible employees get paid leave while watching their children b. Germany: paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers but not very socially acceptable for men c. U.S.: no paid parental leave d. Sweden: paid parental leave for both parents

What is public child care? Define and explain whether it applies in Germany, the U.S., and Sweden. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Public child care: assist families in reconciling work with family life b. Germany: trying to get it to all families c. U.S.: no child care d. Sweden: child care

What is a child allowance? Define and explain whether it applies in Germany, the U.S., and Sweden. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Child allowance: "tax credit"; a social security payment which is distubuted to the parents/ guardians of children b. Germany: in form of tax credit c. U.S.: earned income tax credit for people in low income families/ temporary assistance for needy families d. Sweden: child allowance for everyone regardless of income

What is "daddy leave"? Define and explain whether it applies in Germany, the U.S., and Sweden. What is the significance of this policy? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Daddy Leave: paid leave for fathers b. Germany: paid daddy leave but not very socially acceptable for men c. U.S.: no daddy leave d. Sweden: paid daddy leave, very popular

Explain the Family Medical Leave Act in the U.S. (is it paid? does everyone get it?) - ✔️ ✔️ a. Family Medical Leave Act: Took a step forward by meeting these needs by protecting the jobs of employees who take time off from work to care for children or other family members. However, the law is very limited. It establishes the right of parents to take unpaid medical leave of up to twelve weeks, but this applies only to employers with more than fifty employees— such employers account for only about 60 percent of the U.S. workforce. The leave can be used by the parents or grandparents of newborn infants, by adoptive parents, or by employees who are caring for other family members.

Earned Income Tax Credit, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. How do these systems illustrate the liberal welfare state in the U.S.? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Earned Income Tax Credit: subsidizes low-income working families b. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families: provides federal funds for low income families/ get people into the work force c. U.S. family policy: social programs, laws, and public directives designed to promote and enhance marriage, reproduction, and raising children

Discuss gender inequality in the developing world and developed world using these indicators: educational opportunity, inheritance law, labor force participation, and marriage. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Educational opportunity: women are less educated b. Inheritance law: dictates the distribution of a deceased person's assets in lieu of a recognized will, discriminates against daughters and widows of the newly deceased c. Labor force participation: higher in east asia, latin America, sub-saharan Africa, lowest in the middle east, south asia d. Marriage: women are seen as less than men, women stay home and do housework, while men make the money, many girls are forced into marriages that they have no say in

What is the "demographic dividend"? How does this relate to population control & economic growth? - ✔️ ✔️ a. the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in

v. Injectable contraception free in gov facilities program begins 2016 vi. Recent decline in use of contraception's- increasing use of abortion and "day after" pills vii. Informed contraceptive choice still a mirage for the people of india

Explain pay-as-you-go pension systems versus fully funded. Which type of system is U.S. Social Security? What three categories of people can draw social security benefits? Is U.S. Social Security designed to fully replace salary upon retirement? What about systems in Europe (before/after reforms)? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Pay as you go: current workers' fund current retirees b. Fully funded: worker's contribution saved and invested, then drawn out later i. Social security: public, defined, mandatory

  1. Retired
  2. Disabled
  3. Surviving spouses/ children of deceased workers a. Covers about 40%of wages c. Europe lowered pensions because they used to be very generous but they could not afford them, us has a very limited pension system- social security is the only public pension, they learned from the us d. Competition from lower wage economies= globalization, slower economic growth, aging population, too expensive

Explain how Europe has reformed its pensions systems in general. Why did these changes occur? Compare these reforms with the U.S. system. Who learned lessons from whom? Illustrate with example of Germany or Sweden. Know the current systems in these countries and how they have changed. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Europe lowered pensions because they used to be very generous but they could not afford them, us has a very limited pension system- social security is the only public pension, they learned from the us b. Competition from lower wage economies= globalization, slower economic growth, aging population, too expensive c. Germany: Original system i. Bismarck creates- 1889 ii. Becomes a PAYGO system in 1957 iii. Workers and employers contribute with 20% from government iv. Separate funds- regional, occupational d. reforms i. Financial strain- cannot fund system ii. 2001 reforms: future pensions will pay less/ private retirement savings now encouraged with tax policy e. Sweden: Original system i. Everyone gets basic amount ii. Plus earnings-related public pension similar to social security iii. And occupational pension plans covered 90% of workers iv. All together = 75% preretirement earnings f. Reforms

i. System found too expensive ii. still have means-tested safety net iii. (35% average worker's income for needy) iv. New social security benefits "notional" v. Payment determined "as if" in an individual retirement account

Looking at the U.S., Germany, and Sweden, how do results of pension policy differ? How does this relate to the way in which pensions have been designed? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Sweden: early system was too expensive means testing program, what you get back depends on how the economy is currently doing- notional b. Germany: again could not afford to fund system, 2001, future pensions will pay less/ private retirement savings now encouraged with tax policy c. Us: very limited pensions, most are private through businesses but many of those have reduced/ taken away over the years, only public pension is social security which is required- fully funded

Does the U.S. have a centralized education policy? Explain with reference to funding & governance. What about a national curriculum? Compare with France, Japan, Germany. - ✔️ ✔️ a. U.S. has no comprehensive education policy i. Education goals and spending levels vary across states/ cities ii. Financing of education at the local level is usually based on property taxes, funding differs across school districts b. U.S. does not have a national curriculum c. Since 2001 states have developed curriculum framework and performance standards to meet the requirements of the NCLB act d. The education in Japan is very neutral when determining where a kid is allowed to go to school rich or poor, and that is because the government of Japan spends money on education very wisely compared to other developed countries. It invests 3.3% of its GDP on education while still maintaining one of the best education programs compared to other developed countries and the government as well as prefectural government use part of the GDP as teachers salaries e. Currently, the German government is collaborating directly with teachers and educators to create a better education plan. The curriculum is based on what the teachers recommend but enforced through the government. Students can choose to go on tracks and get an education based on what they want to do after school ends. Some can choose to go to college and get an education based on that or they can choose a vocational path where they learn firsthand. f. The French education system is very centralized and controlled by the federal government. Almost all of the standards, finance & funding, curriculum, organization, and teacher recruitment is centralized and run through the "Ministre de l'éducation" which is a division much like the US Department of Education. It's a federal level division of the government.

How did Finland change its education policy from the 1970s to the present? What the strengths of Finland's education system are as discussed in class? - ✔️ ✔️ a. "less is more"

Affordable Care Act? To what extent has this been changed since 2016? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Government programs cover some people? i. Before 2010 ACA? ii. Yes, ( since 1965- medicare and Medicaid) iii. After 2010 ACA? iv. Yes ( with wider band of eligibility for Medicaid in some states) b. Those who don't qualify for government programs need to buy private, for profit insurance i. Before 2010 ACA? - Yes ii. After 2010? - yes ( but it is easier to get private insurance ) c. Is insurance required by law? i. Before 2010?- No ( 50 million uninsured ) ii. After 2010? - yes ( you pay a tax if no insurance ) iii. After 2018- NO- congress voted to eliminate the tax d. Today still 25 million plus uninsured e. Pre-2010: Hard to purchase affordable coverage on individual market f. With ACA, easier due to government run exchanges and subsidies... but still expensive

Discuss how health problems have changed in the developing world since approximately 1960. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Almost 50% drop in child mortality b. 40% drop in new hiv infections

Explain the Unified Health System in Brazil & discuss its strengths & weaknesses. - ✔️ ✔️ a. 1986: created single payer system= tax funded unified health system b. 1988 constitution: government provides free healthcare for all c. Expanded access to primary care d. Cost is $50 per person/ 60% hospital beds still private but covered under SUS e. Positives: increased government spending, but still only at 4.5% i. Since 1985 life expectancy and infant mortality improved by 2x average in latin America f. Weaknesses: limited access to specialists i. 144 million use only sus ii. Low levels of satisfaction ( only 40%) iii. 46 mil have private insurance

Discuss China's strengths & weaknesses in terms of healthcare. Know the reading & video on China. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Strengths: Having private China health insurance allows for access to private healthcare facilities with doctors that speak languages from all over the world. If your medical Mandarin is far from fluent, this is going to go a long way towards helping put you at ease should you need to visit the hospital with a serious condition. After all, effective communication with medical professionals is a must when it comes to effectively addressing your own health needs. b. Another advantage of accessing private hospitals in China is the shorter waiting times that are found there. This will ensure that you are not placed on a waiting list to receive

treatment should the hospital deem it to not be an emergency. Private hospitals will treat you quickly and efficiently. c. Finally, private hospitals, while they cost more for treatment, generally provide a higher quality of care for their patients. This is due to their possession of the latest medical equipment, as well as internationally trained medical staff. d. 95% of people are covered e. Weakness: pre-existing conditions, exclusions, age limits, not enough doctors, "Red Envelope"

What is E-verify? Is it mandatory? How does it relate to the term "internal enforcement"?

  • ✔️ ✔️ a. E-verify: federal database for checking employment edibility- not required b. Internal enforcement: less on the border but more on who is inside of the country

Does the U.S. have national i.d.? Is it mandatory? How does it relate to the term "internal enforcement"? - ✔️ ✔️ Identification: us has no required federal id

Define these terms: intergovernmental organization, non-governmental organization. Be familiar with examples from slides. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Internal organization: b. Intergovernmental organization: IGO, states are members i. Ex: United Nations, NATO c. Non-governmental organization: NGO, groups or individuals are members i. Ex: International Red Cross, World Wildlife Fund d. Hybrid organization: governments and NGOs are members i. Ex: International Union for Conservation of Nature

How do international organizations relate to technology and globalization? Explain and use an example to illustrate. - ✔️ ✔️ a. 1994- w3c- would wide web consortium- voluntary consensus standard setting organization b. hybrid

Define these terms: refugee, asylum seeker, migrant, internally-displaced person. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Refugee: well-founded fear of persecution, crosses international borders b. Asylum seeker: a person who has left their home country because of persecution but is not yet a refugee c. Migrant: a worker who moves to another country to find new work d. Internally-displaced Person: forced from home but still in country of origin

According to international law, would the following situations qualify for refugee status: civil war, economic disaster, natural disaster? - ✔️ ✔️ None, only persecution

Where do most refugees live? - ✔️ ✔️ 85% live in developing world, near conflict zones

Define these terms with reference to international law on refugees: non-refoulement, cessation. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Principle of non-refoulement: forbids a country receiving asylum

How is governance changing when it comes to global health? Know about emergency management. - ✔️ ✔️ WHO is governed by member states b. New ppps and gavi are governed by member states plus new private sector organizations c. Donations are voluntary- no dues more control for doner nations d. Narrower focus, no staff in recipient countries

Refugees and epidemics are global problems in which developing countries play an important role. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Developing countries lack health systems to monitor and manage disease outbreaks b. More crowded conditions plus climate change- people live closer to animals

What is the difference between mitigation and adaptation? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Mitigation: Mitigation efforts center on different ways to reduce GHG emissions. Many current mitigation policies focus on switching to less car- bon-intensive energy sources (including wind, solar, and hydro power); improving energy efficiency for vehicles, buildings, and appliances; and sup- porting the development and deployment of technologies that help reduce GHG emissions. b. Adaptation: Adaptation efforts seek to improve the ability of human societies (broadly) and local communities (more specifically) to adjust to a changing climate (for example, to alter agricultural practices in response to seasonal and precipitation changes or to prepare urban areas in coastal regions for rising sea levels and severe weather occurrences).

Which countries were responsible for most emissions in 2013? Which will be responsible for most in the future (developing or developed countries)? - ✔️ ✔️ China, and developed

Explain the state of science on climate in general. Is this a new field of research? What level of scientific consensus has been achieved? What is the IPCC and what does it say is necessary? - ✔️ ✔️

What happened in Paris, 2016 ( be sure you can explain this plan in some detail). Are the commitments made in Paris expected to meet the goal? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Goal is to keep warming below 2 degrees b. Many experts doubt paris can achieve this c. Different nations commit to different outcomes d. Target/outcome is public but it is not legally binding e. Article 9 1. Developed country Parties shall provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties with respect to both mitigation and adaptation in continuation of their existing obligations under the Convention f. Accompanying statement pledged $100 billion annually by 2025

AT Paris, some nations agreed to reduce emissions and others agreed to reduce the intensity at which they increase their emissions. Know these countries commitments:

China, India, U.S., EU. Explain why there is a difference. Also know what has changed in the U.S. with regard to climate policy. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Voluntary & some are conditional upon receiving economic assistance b. China: peak in 2030, reduce to 60-65% of 2005 level GHGs/unit GDP c. India:33-35% reduction from 2005 levels of GHGs/unit GDP d. U.S.: 26-28% below 2005 level e. EU 40% below 1990 level! f. Differences because some countries are developing and others are developed g. Us was committed but trump recently said that the us will not be apart of this

How does the problem of climate change link to the problem of poverty in the developing world? Connect to the Green Climate Fund. (Connect to #73) - ✔️ ✔️ In order for developing countries to become developed, they have to use fossil fuels but if their trying to not use fossil fuels then it makes it harder for them to become developed which then makes it harder to work on climate change bc they have to spend more money on not using fossil fuels

define international trade. - ✔️ ✔️ International trade: the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories

What was U.S. position on global trade after WW2? - ✔️ ✔️ U.S was pro free trade

Which are the top three trade partners for the U.S.? - ✔️ ✔️ China, Mexico, Canada

What is a trade deficit? With which country does the U.S. have the largest trade deficit?

  • ✔️ ✔️ a. Trade deficit: value of imports from a particular country and subtract value of exports to that country b. China

Explain the concept of comparative advantage. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Comparative advantage: Specialization in global economy i. Even if a nation is more efficient at producing EVERYTHING ii. it is most efficient at one thing... iii. by producing this one thing and letting others do the rest, productivity is maximized iv. By specializing, greater wealth is created for all. v. This theory supports goal of global free trade... everyone will be better off (than they would have been otherwise)!

Define strategic trade theory. - ✔️ ✔️ a. Nat'l gov'ts may deliberately support development of competitive advantage in key sectors. b. Purpose - catch up with more developed economies c. Import-substitution industrialization i. Protect domestic markets, produce at home ii. Latin America, 1960s & 1970s d. Export-led development

b. Option 2: WTO muddles through without int'l standards c. Option 3: Complete breakdown of WTO ... replace with regional/national blocs d. Option 4: multiple overlapping agreements.. e. Plurilaterals: agreements among subsets of WTO members. i. Easier to negotiate as they focus on narrower issues and not all members are bound by their terms f. Meta-regional deals: deep integration partnerships between countries or regions with a major share of world trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). Beyond simply increasing trade links, the deals aim to improve regulatory compatibility and provide a rules-based framework for ironing out differences in investment and business climates. g. Bilateral: trade exclusively between two states, particular trade based on bilateral deals between governments and without using hard currently for payment h. regional deals:

What are India's strengths & weaknesses in terms of healthcare. Know the reading on India. What is Modicare? - ✔️ ✔️ a. Strengths: Major "investments for reproductive, maternal, infant/child health" b. 931,000 ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) in 32 states c. Educate pregnant women; encourage prenatal care & hospital deliveries d. Expanded gov't insurance from 55 mill to 370 million people e. Weaknesses: patients must pay for their own drugs f. Still low investments in healthcare and overall poor health outcomes i. Low funding of public health g. Modicare: Preparing the imminent rollout of a national health protectior,aims to provide indias poorest 100m households with insurance covering annual hospital expenses h. Will allow beneficiaries to receive cashless in patent care at government hospitals or approved facilities

Europe & the U.S. have similarities & differences when it comes to immigration policy. Discuss in terms of (a) managing undocumented immigration; (b) assimilation of immigrants; (c) family migration. Know the reading & slides; describe with details. - ✔️ ✔️ a. U.S.: puts more focus on border control and keeping immagrints out, Europe focuses on internal inforcemnet more, checking peoples ids and requiring proof of the right to work b. Us immigrants are well assimilated do not require citizen shiptest, focus on family reunification for legal immigration c. Europe: require citizenship test, they do not assimilate as much