Comparative Politics

1. Comparative Politics Different democracies

2. Monarchy Image used under Creative Commons from Eddo via Wikimedia Commons

3. Republic Photo used under Creative Commons from kmezon

4. Unitary state Image used under Creative Commons from Lokal_Profil via Wikimedia Commons

5. Federal state Image used under Creative Commons from Lokal_Profil via Wikimedia Commons

6. Parliamentary system Image used under GFDLfromThe_Tom via Wikimedia Commons

7. Presidential system Image used under Creative Commons from Jackaranga via Wikimedia Commons

8. Political Party Parties Party system Image used under Creative Commons from Wilfredor via Wikimedia Commons

9. Electoral system(voting system) Image used under Creative Commons from Ssolbergj via Wikimedia Commons

10. Measuring democracy? Dichotomous concept Continuous concept

11. Difference in measures Thin Thick • Freedom House: • Electoral democracy: • Competitive, multiparty political system • Universal adult suffrage • Regularly contested elections conducted on the basis of secret ballots, reasonable security and the absence of massive voter fraud • Significant public access of major political parties to the electorate through the media and through generally open political campaigning • Political freedom: • Somewhat more demanding criteria • Covers electoral process, political process, functioning of government, a few aspects of participation • “Thin” is based on and academic definition of democracy: • Dahl’s concept of polyarchy • 8 components Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Democracy Index 2010

12. Dahl’s concept of polyarchy • Almost all adult citizens have the right to vote • Almost all adult citizens are eligible for public office • Political leaders have the right to compete for votes • Elections are free and fair • All citizens are free to form and join political parties and other organisations • All citizens are free to express themselves on all political issues • Diverse sources of information about politics exist and are protected by law • Government policies depend on votes and other expressions of preference Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Democracy Index 2010

13. Difference in measures Thin Thick Economist Intelligence Unit electoral process and pluralism civil liberties Basic human rights: speech, expression, press, religion, assembly, association… the functioning of government political participation political culture Liberal democracy Does not include: Economic and social well being, which many argue are crucial components of democracy • Freedom House: • Electoral democracy: • Competitive, multiparty political system • Universal adult suffrage • Regularly contested elections conducted on the basis of secret ballots, reasonable security and the absence of massive voter fraud • Significant public access of major political parties to the electorate through the media and through generally open political campaigning • Political freedom: • Somewhat more demanding criteria • Covers electoral process, political process, functioning of government, a few aspects of participation • “Thin” is based on and academic definition of democracy: • Dahl’s concept of polyarchy • 8 components • Electoral democracy Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Democracy Index 2010