The modern study of Comparative Politics emerged in the late nineteenth century, and since then has evolved largely due to the research in US universities. Comparative Politics is one of the three core components of political science, the other two being political theory and international relations. However, it was only in the twentieth century that comparative government and politics emerged as an important sub-field within the discipline of political science. Since then, it has undergone tremendous transformation in terms of its nature and ambit of study.
Theoretical Foundations of Comparative Politics analyses in depth the theories and concepts that form the foundation of comparative politics. Concentrating on the study of this sub-discipline in the context of the developing world, this book:
Detailed and filled with recent, relevant examples from world and Indian politics, this book will be invaluable to undergraduate and postgraduate students of political science and comparative politics.
Subrata Mukherjee is former (retired) Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi South Campus, and former Head of the Department.
Sushila Ramaswamy is Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi.
List of Images Preface and Acknowledgements
1. Nature and Scope of Comparative Politics
Aristotle’s Contribution Polybius: Precursor to Modern Theories of Power Sharing Contributions of Rome European Enlightenment and Eurocentricism Significance of Hegel and Marx Weber’s Contribution French Enlightenment and Great Britain Triumph of Liberal Individualism Impact of the Industrial Revolution Distinctiveness of the American Contribution Comparative Government to Comparative Politics: Shift from Institutions to Processes The Behavioural Revolution Comparative Method: Advantages Conclusion
2. Approaches: Political System, Structural Functionalism and Political Sociology
The Institutional Approach Limitations of the Institutional Approach Easton’s Political System (1953) Criticism of the Concept of State Limitations of the Power Approach Authoritative Allocation of Values Faults of Historicism Idea of Political Equilibrium What Should Political Theory do Today? The New Revolution in Political Science Easton’s Innovations in Systems Theory The Framework of Structural Functionalism Framework for Studying the Politics of Developing Countries Conclusion
3. Approaches: New Institutionalism
Political Institutions: Search for a Theoretical Foundation Multiculturalism and Institution Building Dominant Schools in Political Institutionalism Theories of Institutions: The Classical Tradition Recent Trends Concluding Remarks
4. Approaches: Political Economy
The Difference between the Old and the New Political Economy and International Economics and Politics Origins of Political Economy Political Economy and the Scottish Enlightenment The Marginalisation of Political Economy Revival of Political Economy The Nature of Political Economy Conclusion
5. Approaches: Political Culture and Political Socialisation
Grand Theories of Culture Impact of the Grand Theories of Culture Notion of Civic Culture Criticisms of Civic Culture Subject-Participatory Culture and the Communist Variant of Political Culture Post-materialism Political Socialisation Conclusion
6. Debates on the State
The State in the Modern Age Debate on the Advanced Capitalist State Social Democratic State Weber’s Analysis Fascist State Totalitarian State Post-colonial/Overdeveloped State Failed/Collapsed State Conclusion
7. Constitutionalism
Greek Heritage and Aristotle’s Classification of Constitutions Rome’s Legacy Age of Constitutionalism The Federalist Papers and the US Constitution Paine’s Rights of Man Nineteenth Century—Bentham and J. S. Mill Weimar Constitution Meiji Restoration and the Making of the Japanese Constitution Pacifist Constitutions Plan for Pan-African Unity Judicial Review and Conventions Conclusion
8. Federalism
Advantages of Centralisation and Decentralisation The Arguments for Decentralisation Origins of Federalism Is Federalism an Ideology? Typology of Federal and Unitary Systems Conclusion
9. Parliamentary and Presidential Systems of Government (with Special Reference to India)
Characteristics of a Presidential System Characteristics of a Parliamentary System Difference between Parliamentary and Presidential Systems of Government Parliamentary System in India
10. Consociational Democracy and Power Sharing
Power Sharing as a Model to Cement Majority-Minority Conflict Conclusion
11. Corporatism
Corporativist View of Representation Modern Corporatism and the Medieval Guild System Modern Revival Modern Revival of Corporatism Critique of Contemporary Industrial Society: Durkheim’s Study of Suicide Fascism and Corporatism
12. Authoritarianism and Military Rule
Definition of Authoritarianism Ideologies and Authoritarianism Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism Factors leading to Authoritarian Rule Types of Authoritarianism Forced Democracy Conclusion
13. Democratic Elitism and Pluralism
Context of Theorising Democratic Elitism Pluralism Polyarchy Conclusion
14. Political Parties and Pressure Groups
The First Political Parties: Whigs and Tories in Great Britain Development of Party System in the US Functions of Political Parties Pressure Groups and Political Parties Criticisms of Political Parties Iron Law of Oligarchy Party Systems Classification of Political Parties Catch-All Party Cadre and Mass Parties/Caucus and Mass Parties Left and Right Parties The Spoils System Conclusion
15. New Social Movements
Origin of Social Movements Factors Leading to the Consolidation of Social Movements Types of Social Movements Difference between Old and New Social Movements The Scope of New Social Movements Factors Leading to the Establishment of Social Movements Theories of Social Movement An Evaluation of Different Approaches The Debate in Latin America Criticism of Social Movements Theory Conclusion
16. Development
Prebisch Thesis Dependency Theory The South Korean Experience Sustainable Development and Environmentalism Conclusion
17. Revolution
The Meaning of Revolution in Modern Times Restatement of Marxist Orthodoxy Recent Theories of Revolution: Arendt's On Revolution Skocpol's States and Social Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia and China Functionalist Accounts of Revolution Conclusion
18. Multiculturalism
Meaning of Multiculturalism Theories of Multiculturalism Multiculturalism and the Communitarian Critique of Liberalism Criticisms of Multiculturalism Multiculturalism as Policy Political Backlash against Multiculturalism Conclusion
19. Women and the Political Process
Origins and Context of Feminism Representation and its Different Perspectives Why Women’s Representation? Quota Law, Gender and Politics Worldwide Different Types of Quota Laws Women’s Representation in India Why Women’s Reservation? Reservation: Party-wise or State-sponsored? Conclusion
Bibliography References Index