PSC 1001 Lecture 10: Comp Pol Lecture Mon Oct 2 and Wed Oct 4
Document Summary
Main independent variables in political science; structure: today"s focus: political systems. A. selection of government officials through free and fair elections. 2. majoritarian (usa, britain; two party bc need more than 50% ((versus plurality percentage)) - consensus (germany, multiparty, proportional system) *you can have a combination: variants of democracy: first past the post (fptp) (majoritarian), parliamentary, presidential, proportional representation, presidential. 1. break society down into the individuals as to so they cannot organize/resist (prevent. : usa; balance bc of emphasis on individuality but proportionate with national identity, desire to overcome difference and collaborate$ A. presence of a dominant leader/small group of leaders. 1. classic symptom of regime that does not have much power. Iv. semi authoritarianism/semi democracy: democracy is incorporated into an otherwise authoritarian state. B. exercise of power demonstrates authoritarian traits: interests favor the leader rather than the public. 1. central concept in the us and other democracies. 2. constitutions are designed to limit the power of gov. 3. gov officials must follow the laws of the land.
