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