Free Printable Worksheets for learning Comparative Politics at the College level

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Comparative Politics

Comparative Politics is a subfield of Political Science that examines the similarities and differences between political systems in various regions of the world. It analyzes political developments, structures, and behaviors across different countries and regions, attempting to identify patterns and explain variations.

Key Concepts

State: A political organization with a defined territory, sovereign power, and control over its population.
Regime: A set of rules that governs a state, including procedures for selecting leaders, determining policies, and resolving conflicts.
Democracy: A system of government in which power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
Authoritarianism: A system of government in which power is held by a single individual or small group, with no accountability or representation for citizens.
Civil Society: A network of associations and organizations that operate independently of the government, including non-profit groups, religious organizations, and grassroots movements.
Political Culture: Shared beliefs, values, and attitudes about how political power should be exercised and who should exercise it.

Important Information

Comparative Politics often uses a case study method to examine specific countries or regions.
Theories in Comparative Politics include Modernization theory, Dependency theory, and Institutional theory.
Comparative Politics focuses on a variety of themes, including institutional design, political economy, political culture, and political violence.
Subfields of Comparative Politics include Comparative Political Economy, Comparative Political Behavior, and Comparative Political Institutions.

Takeaways

Comparative Politics is concerned with analyzing similarities and differences between political systems in different regions of the world.
Key concepts in Comparative Politics include the State, Regime, Democracy, Authoritarianism, Civil Society, and Political Culture.
Theoretical approaches to Comparative Politics include Modernization theory, Dependency theory, and Institutional theory.
Comparative Politics analyzes a wide range of themes, including institutional design, political economy, political culture, and political violence.
Subfields of Comparative Politics include Comparative Political Economy, Comparative Political Behavior, and Comparative Political Institutions.

By understanding these key concepts and important themes, students of Comparative Politics will be able to develop a more nuanced understanding of political systems across the globe.

Here's some sample Comparative Politics vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word	Definition
Democracy	A system of government in which power is vested in the people and exercised through freely elected representatives
Authoritarianism	A type of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms
Nationalism	Patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts toward their nation
Bureaucracy	A system of government in which non-elected officials implement rules and regulations
Colonialism	The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers and exploiting it economically
Communism	A system of social organization in which all property is owned by the community and each individual contributes and receives according to their ability and needs
Capitalism	An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods, characterized by competition in a free market
Fascism	A political philosophy or system marked by a centralization of authority, a capitalist economy subject to stringent government controls, and often a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism
Theocracy	A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a deity
Socialism	A political and economic theory that advocates for the collective ownership and control of the means of production by the people
Authoritarian	A ruler or government that has complete power and forces obedience of the citizens without granting them any power or freedom of speech
Constitution	A written set of fundamental principles and laws that outline the structure and functions of a government
Dictatorship	An autocratic form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or small clique
Federalism	A form of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units
Globalization	The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale
Multiculturalism	The coexistence of diverse cultures, where smaller groups within a larger society maintain their cultural identities
Unitary state	A system of political organization in which most or all of the governing power resides in a centralized government
Political ideology	The set of beliefs or principles that guide political policy
Neoliberalism	A political-economic theory advocating free-market capitalism, deregulation, and reduction in government spending
Parliamentary system	A system of government in which the executive branch is accountable to the legislature, and the head of government is usually a member of the legislature

Here's some sample Comparative Politics study guides Sign in to generate your own study guide worksheet.

Study Guide: Comparative Politics

Introduction

Comparative Politics is a subfield of political science that focuses on the comparative analysis of political systems and institutions across different countries or regions. In this study guide, we will cover the key topics and concepts in Comparative Politics at the college level.

Key Concepts

Nation-state

A nation-state is a political entity in which the state and nation are congruent. A state is a political and legal entity that has sovereignty over a territory and its population, while a nation refers to a group of people who share a common identity, culture, history, or language.

Democracy

Democracy is a political system in which power is exercised by the people through mechanisms of representation, participation, and accountability. The key features of democracy include free and fair elections, political rights and liberties, rule of law, and civil society.

Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism is a political system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or a small elite, who exercise control over the population through repression, coercion, or propaganda. Authoritarian regimes often restrict political rights and civil liberties, suppress opposition, and impose censorship and surveillance.

Political Institutions

Political institutions are the formal and informal structures, rules, and procedures that shape the behavior of political actors and organizations. Examples include constitutions, legislatures, courts, parties, interest groups, bureaucracies, and electoral systems.

Political Culture

Political culture refers to the values, beliefs, attitudes, and norms that shape the political behavior and expectations of citizens and elites in a given society. Political culture can vary across societies and influence how political institutions work and evolve over time.

Key Topics

The Comparative Method

The comparative method is the process of comparing and contrasting political phenomena across cases in order to generate hypotheses, test theories, or identify patterns and variations. The comparative method can rely on qualitative or quantitative research methods and can involve small-N or large-N studies.

State Building and State Failure

State building refers to the process of establishing and strengthening the capacity of a state to provide public goods, maintain order, and enforce laws. State failure refers to the breakdown of state authority and legitimacy, often due to internal conflict, corruption, or external intervention.

Democratization and Authoritarian Resilience

Democratization refers to the process of transitioning from authoritarian rule to democratic rule. Authoritarian resilience refers to the ability of authoritarian regimes to resist or adapt to democratization pressures, often through the use of coercion or co-optation.

Political Parties and Electoral Systems

Political parties are organizations that represent the interests and preferences of voters and seek to win elections and govern. Electoral systems are the rules and procedures that govern how votes are cast, counted, and translated into seats in government. Different electoral systems can generate different outcomes and shapes the behavior of parties and voters.

Political Economy and Development

Political economy refers to the study of the interactions between politics and economics, including the distribution of resources, the role of markets and state intervention, and the impact of globalization and trade. Development refers to the process of improving human welfare through economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

Comparative Politics is a diverse and dynamic field that offers insights into the political and social realities of different countries and regions around the world. By mastering the key concepts and topics covered in this study guide, you will be better equipped to navigate and analyze the complex landscape of comparative politics.

Here's some sample Comparative Politics practice sheets Sign in to generate your own practice sheet worksheet.

Comparative Politics Practice Sheet

Define the term state and distinguish it from nation.
What is the difference between a unitary state and a federal state?
Compare and contrast the presidential system of government with the parliamentary system.
Identify the main characteristics of a democratic government.
Define the terms political culture and political socialization.
What is the impact of globalization on national sovereignty?
Compare and contrast authoritarianism and totalitarianism.
Identify and explain the role of interest groups in politics.
Compare and contrast liberalism and conservatism.
What is the impact of gender, ethnicity, and race on politics?

Sample Problem

Given the following information, explain the differences between a presidential system and a parliamentary system:

The president is elected by the people
The prime minister is appointed by the president
The president has the power to dissolve the legislature

Answer

A presidential system is a system of government where the executive branch is separate from the legislative branch. The president is elected by the people and has the power to veto legislation passed by the legislature. The president also has the power to dissolve the legislature.

A parliamentary system is a system of government where the executive branch is part of the legislative branch. The prime minister is appointed by the legislature, and the prime minister and the cabinet are responsible to the legislature. The prime minister has the power to dissolve the legislature.

Comparative Politics Practice Sheet

What is the difference between a unitary and a federal system of government?
What are the three main types of political systems?
What is the role of the executive branch in a democracy?
What is the purpose of the separation of powers?
What is the difference between a democracy and an autocracy?
What is the purpose of the rule of law?
What is the difference between a presidential system and a parliamentary system?
What is the concept of checks and balances?
What is the role of the judiciary in a democratic system?
What is the concept of federalism?

Here's some sample Comparative Politics quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Problem	Answer
Define comparative politics	The study and comparison of domestic politics across countries
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods?	Qualitative research methods focus on subjective data, such as interviews and case studies, while quantitative research methods focus on numerical data and statistical analysis.
What is a federal system of government?	A system of government where power is divided between a central government and smaller units, such as states or provinces.
What is a unitary system of government?	A system of government where power is centralized in the hands of the national government.
What is a parliamentary system of government?	A system of government where the executive branch is accountable to the legislature and is typically led by a prime minister or chancellor.
What is a presidential system of government?	A system of government where the executive branch is separate from the legislative branch and is led by a directly elected president.
What is the difference between a unicameral and bicameral legislature?	A unicameral legislature has one chamber, while a bicameral legislature has two chambers.
What is political culture?	The shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that shape a society's political identity.
What is civil society?	The sphere of organized, non-governmental groups and associations that form a critical foundation for society and democracy.
What is a social movement?	A collective, organized effort to bring about social or political change.
What is the relationship between globalization and nationalism?	Globalization can lead to the erosion of national borders and identities, which can provoke a backlash of nationalist sentiment.
What is the difference between a democratic and authoritarian regime?	Democratic regimes are characterized by competitive elections, the rule of law, and protections for civil liberties, while authoritarian regimes are characterized by little to no political competition, limited rule of law, and few protections for individual rights.
What is the difference between a traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal authority?	Traditional authority is based on custom and tradition, charismatic authority comes from a leader's exceptional personal qualities, and rational-legal authority is based on rules and laws.
What is the concept of political development?	The idea that countries can evolve politically over time, moving from authoritarianism to democracy, and from instability to stability.
What is the difference between a state and a nation?	A state refers to a political entity with sovereign control over a geographic territory, while a nation refers to a group of people who share a common culture, language, or history.
What is a political party?	An organized group of citizens who represent a particular ideology or set of interests and aim to gain control of government through elections.
What is proportional representation in an electoral system?	A system in which legislative seats are allocated to political parties in proportion to the number of votes a party receives in an election.
What is first-past-the-post in an electoral system?	A system in which the candidate who wins the most votes in a district or constituency is elected to office, regardless of whether or not they win an absolute majority of the vote.
What is the difference between democratization and liberalization?	Democratization refers to a process of moving towards a democratic political system, while liberalization refers to opening up the economy and society to market forces and individual freedoms.
What is civil rights?	The legal and constitutional protections against government discrimination or violation of individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion or due process.

Problem	Answer
What is the definition of Comparative Politics?	Comparative Politics is the study of the domestic politics, political institutions, and conflicts of countries. It is a field of political science that looks at how different countries and governments interact with each other and how they are similar or different.
What are the main goals of Comparative Politics?	The main goals of Comparative Politics are to understand the similarities and differences between countries, to analyze the political systems of different countries, and to identify patterns in the way different countries interact with each other.
What are the main areas of study in Comparative Politics?	The main areas of study in Comparative Politics include political systems, political institutions, political culture, political economy, political behavior, and international relations.
What is the difference between Comparative Politics and International Relations?	Comparative Politics focuses on the domestic politics of countries, while International Relations focuses on the interactions between countries. Comparative Politics looks at how different countries and governments interact with each other and how they are similar or different, while International Relations looks at how countries interact with each other on a global scale.
What are the key concepts of Comparative Politics?	The key concepts of Comparative Politics include power, authority, legitimacy, democracy, representation, political culture, political economy, and international relations.
What are the methods used to study Comparative Politics?	The methods used to study Comparative Politics include quantitative methods, qualitative methods, and case studies. Quantitative methods involve the use of statistical analysis to study political phenomena, while qualitative methods involve the use of interviews and field observations to study political phenomena. Case studies involve the in-depth study of a single country or region.
What is the role of theory in Comparative Politics?	The role of theory in Comparative Politics is to provide a framework for understanding and analyzing political phenomena. Theory helps to explain why certain political phenomena occur, and it can be used to make predictions about future political phenomena.
What are the main challenges facing Comparative Politics?	The main challenges facing Comparative Politics include the lack of reliable data, the difficulty of making generalizations across countries, and the complexity of political systems. Additionally, the field of Comparative Politics is constantly changing, and researchers must be able to keep up with the latest developments in the field.

Question	Answer
What is the study of Comparative Politics?	The study of Comparative Politics is the comparison of the politics, policies, and political processes of different countries.
What are the main goals of Comparative Politics?	The main goals of Comparative Politics are to identify, analyze, and explain similarities and differences between political systems, institutions, and practices.
What are the key methods used in Comparative Politics?	The key methods used in Comparative Politics include comparative analysis, historical analysis, and statistical analysis.
What is the difference between Comparative Politics and International Relations?	Comparative Politics focuses on the domestic politics of different countries, while International Relations focuses on the relationships between countries.
What is the role of culture in Comparative Politics?	Culture plays an important role in Comparative Politics by influencing the political systems and processes of different countries.
What is the difference between a unitary and a federal system?	A unitary system is a system in which power is concentrated in a single central government, while a federal system is a system in which power is shared between a central government and regional governments.
What is the role of political parties in Comparative Politics?	Political parties play an important role in Comparative Politics by providing a platform for citizens to express their political views and by helping to shape the policies of governments.
What is the role of the media in Comparative Politics?	The media plays an important role in Comparative Politics by providing information about political issues and by influencing public opinion.
What is the role of public opinion in Comparative Politics?	Public opinion plays an important role in Comparative Politics by influencing the decisions of governments and by helping to shape the policies of governments.
What is the role of international organizations in Comparative Politics?	International organizations play an important role in Comparative Politics by providing a forum for countries to discuss and negotiate policies, and by helping to shape the policies of governments.