Good Society, The: An Introduction to Comparative Politics

by Draper, Alan; Ramsay, Ansil

Edition:

1st

ISBN13:

9780321432179

ISBN10:

0321432177

Format:

Paperback

Pub. Date:

1/1/2008

Publisher(s):

Longman

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Summary

This thematic introduction to comparative politics, framed around and driven by the concept of "the good society," emphasizes institutions, draws on the United States for some of its comparisons, and includes a unique assortment of case studies -- touching on a range of countries from rich democracies to less-developed states -- to make abstract concepts concrete. The book's normative approach is a bold departure from other books as it examines political systems and measures them against the yardstick of a "good society." Utilizing the "capability approach," developed by scholars Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, they outline in their first chapter the qualities of a good society. The authors then compare and evaluate postindustrial democracies in the West, less-developed countries, and communist and post-communist countries against this standard. Not only do the authors thoroughly examine the performance of different countries against the criteria of the good society, but they explain why some countries are better than others at creating one.

Introduction?
The Outline of the Book
The Good Society?
Introduction
Wealth is Not Enough
The Good Society
Physical Well-being
Safety
Informed Decision-making
Civil and Political Rights
The Capability Approach
Responding to Criticisms of the Capability Approach
Institutions and the Good Society
Beyond the Institutional Approach
Conclusion
Political
Institutions and the Good Society?
Introduction
Levels of State Power: Unitary and Federal Political Systems
Unitary Systems
Federal Systems
Branches of State Power: The Legislature, Executive and Judiciary
The Legislature
The Executive
The Judiciary
Power and Constitutions
Authoritarianism and Democracy
Fascism
Military Dictatorships
Party Dictatorships
Pathways to Democracy
Presidential and Parliamentary Democracies
Authoritarianism, Democracy, and the Good Society
Political Institutions and Economic Growth
Political Institutions and Citizens Capability
Conclusion
States , Markets, and the Good Society?
Introduction
States and Markets
The Advantages of Market Systems
The Dark Side of Markets
The Shifting Balance of States and Markets
Globalization
Forms of State Intervention
Fiscal Policy
Monetary Policy
Regulatory Policy
Nationalization
Markets and Capability
Conclusion
Rich
Democracies?
Introduction
Political Cleavages
Interest Groups and Political Parties
Interest Groups
Political Parties
Party Programs
Radical Right-Wing Parties
Conservative Parties
Christian Democratic Parties
Social Democratic Parties
Green Parties
Conclusion
Regimes in Rich Democracies?
Introduction
Social Democratic Regimes
Politic?
Policies
Institutions
Conservative Regimes
Politics
Policies
Institutions
Christian Democratic Regimes
Politics
Policies
Institutions
Comparing Capabilities
Physical Well-being
Informed Decision-making
Safety
Civil and Political Rights
Conclusion
Three
Case Studies of Rich Democracies?
Introduction
Sweden
Background
Politics
Policies
Institutions
The United States
Background
Politics
Policies
Institutions
Germany
Background
Politics
Policies
Institutions
Conclusion
Less
Developed Countries?
Introduction
Economic Development and Human Development
Three Features Shared by Less Developed Countries
Citizens Capability
Poorer and More Vulnerable Economies
Weaker and Less Democratic States
How Did the Less Developed Countries Become Less Developed?
Geography
Culture
Imperialism
Conclusion
Regimes in Less Developed Countries?
Introduction
Authoritarian Developmental Regimes
Politics
Policie?
Institutions
Predatory Regimes
Politics
Policies
Institutions
Summary of Authoritarian Regimes
Democratic Developmental Regimes
Politics
Policies
Institutions
Fragmented Democracies
Politics
Policies
Institutions
Summary of Democratic Regimes
Comparing Capabilities
Physical Well-being
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