What is Comparative Politics Its features and importance

 


 COMPARATIVE POLITICS:

 

 The word comparative is used for comparison. The process of comparing is called comparison. So when one type of politics is compared with another type of politics, it is called comparative politics.

What is Comparative Politics Its features and importance

DEFINITION:

 

1:-Comparing different political systems, political issues, political institutions, political decision-making and political ideas etc. is called comparative politics.

 

2:-The comparative analysis of political systems of different countries, political strategies, nature of political affairs, political changes, political decision-making, political and non-political institutions and political systems is called comparative politics.

 

3:-Comparative political science refers to the modern approach to the study of political science through which political systems and political movements are analyzed and a comparative study of similar institutions is done.

 

4:-Analyzing different political systems and different political problems and comparing them with each other to find out their nature is called comparative politics.

 

 




NATURE AND SCOPE OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS:

 

Human attitudes towards different social phenomena are also different. Politics is a continuous and changing global process of human behavior. The nature of these human activities is different in the light of which these human attitudes are given the names of conservatism, traditionalism or innovation.

Different political thinkers have different ideas about these human activities.

According to David Easton, it is a process of sovereign determination of values. According to Harold Lasswell, this is a special case of using authority.

according to JEAN BLONDEL

This is a process of decision making.

Oakeshott says that it is a political activity which is consisted of three stages.

THREE STAGES OF OAKESHOTT:

 

1:- A political process.

 2:- political procedures.

3:- Political power.

 

 According to Oakeshot, these three stages are carefully studied in the subject of Comparative Political Science, due to which the study of political science has expanded.

The knowledge of comparative political science is proving to be helpful in solving political problems on a systematic and political basis.

In the past the subject of comparative politics was studied under the traditional theories, but the two traditional theories do not meet the social requirements of the present day and cannot be helpful in solving the problems of the modern age, so now the study of this subject should be done under the modern ideas of politics. So that modern socio-political problems can be found on perfect modern lines and a coordinated political system can come into existence at the regional and global level.

 

OBJECTIVES OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS:

 

Comparative politics is used as a parameter to evaluate political performance and social development.

 

The objectives of comparative politics are very broad.

 

RESEARCH IN POLITICS:

 

One of the main goals of comparative politics is to expand the research process in political science. In the traditional method of study only theories and assumptions have been given importance. While in modern comparative political science, it is taken into consideration whether a political theory is useful or not useful for the people of a state. That is, a theory is considered applicable only after research.

 

 





COMPARISON OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS:

 

 In order to examine which political system is useful and which system has defects, it is necessary to adopt the method of comparative political science. Otherwise, we will not be able to distinguish between a good and a flawed political system.

 

BROADNESS IN THE STUDY OF POLITICS:

 

The harmony of knowledge with social requirements is necessary

 

 Knowledge must be in tune with  whereas  the traditional method of study is very limited.

If we study political science under the same traditional limited method of study. So this will mean that our knowledge related to political science is also limited. Therefore, the modern method of education of comparative politics is  necessary to adopted to expand the knowledge of political science.

 

AUTHENTIC POLITICAL RESEARCH:

 

The main purpose of union politics is to establish a coherent and comprehensive standard for political research that can easily model the structure and functioning of halfa-type political systems, and all this can be achieved through political comparison.

 

CLASSIFICATION OF POLITICAL DEPARTMENTS:

 

Classification of political departments is an essential factor for achieving desired objectives in political science. Determining the function of institutions and their proper location in political science is an important means of achieving good functioning of these institutions.

 

THEORIES DEPENDING UPON RESEARCH AND PRACTICE:

 

 Comparative politics has filled an innovative and experimental color in political science. Now, instead of values, experiences and research are given more importance in politics. Now there is no room left for history and moral principles in comparative politics. Due to comparative politics, the tendency to adopt independent political ideologies as opposed to power has increased.

 

 




HYPOTHESIS AND RESEARCH:

 

New hypotheses are formulated to achieve public interest and their validity and practicality are tested through a series of experiments so that new political ideas can bring maximum benefits to the people.

 

With the emergence of new political terms such as political development, political socialization, political culture and political leadership, political science has reached the borders of other social sciences. Therefore, it is important to adopt the thinking style of other social sciences in political science. Humanities is related to human life and political science is also related to humanities research. Other social sciences and political science has a close relation to each other.

 

HORMONIZE POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH MODERN AGE:

 

 In the modern age, ideas and social practices are changing rapidly, an important objective of comparative politics is to harmonize political science with the changing requirements of the modern age. It has to be done so that it can gain the status of useful knowledge in modern times.

 

SUBJECTS OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS:

 

 

The comparative process in political science has gained a lot of importance due to comparative politics. Different rather than one government in comparative politics following aspects are studied.

 

1:- Comparative analysis of political mechanisms of governments.

 

2:-Political systems of governments and their comparative analysis.

 

3:-Comparative evaluation of the decisions of the United Nations or various governmental organizations.

 

4:-Comparative analysis of political activities of different governments.

 

5:-A Comparative Study of the Political Power of Governments.

 

6:-A comparative study of other political issues related to governments.

 

7:-A comparative study of the assumptions and theories of various political thinkers.

 

 



POLITICAL ACTIONS:

 

The following factors are studied in depth in comparative politics:

 

1:-Political performance.

 

2:- The political process.

 

3:-Political power.

 

4:- Political authority and power.

 


 



POLITICAL ACTIVITY:

 

Political activism has been given different names by different political thinkers. According to Jean Blondel political activity is a process of decision.

 

 "David Easton called political activism an act of sovereign conviction. ”

“Herald La Sowell used a special requirement of the exercise of authority for political activity.”

 

“Oakshott named it a political activity. According to him, political activity is like a wide and deep sea, in which a port is visible during the journey and there is an opportunity to anchor somewhere. It has no starting point and no destination, it is only a journey, while the sea can also be willing to give light.

 

In political activities the following points are necessary to be considered.

 

1:- In political compitation which class have which interests.

2:- In which classes the political compitation is found.

3:- How did the political confrontation start and which elements are behind it?

4:- The cause of political confrontation is, government actions , political ideologies or religious beliefs.

 5:- Which losses can occur to the nation and country due to political confrontation.

6:- Which methods can be adopted to eradicate political confrontation.

7:- Can the political confrontation be eradicated peacefully or the punishment is required.

 

 The political activities of the government, politicians, associations, political parties and ordinary citizens are not included. The activities of different classes and institutions can also be different from each other at the same time. which sometimes proves to be a precursor of revolution. The deprived class of

Power and Privileges always at the opposite side of the fence. There is a difference in their outlooks and political activities.

 For the harmony of both ideas and classes, the factors that influence these ideas and interests should be traced.

 

POLITICAL PROCESS:

 

All the functions required for the decision-making process are the most important part of the political process. This process involves state and non-state agencies. If there is a contradiction between the governmental and non-governmental political process, conflict and confrontation arise between them, and anxiety also arises in the non-governmental sections as a reaction.

 

The following issues need attention in the political process:

 

1:- Which agencies are working in the country, what is the nature of their work and any of these agencies involved in anti-national or subversive activities?

 

2:-What is the difference between the values ​​of agencies and government policies? And this difference is found in what matters?

 

3:-How do agencies formulate policies?

4:-How are these policies and values ​​recognized at the policy-making level?

 

5:-To what extent are these values ​​incorporated into decisions?

 

6:-Is it possible to implement the above values ​​to some extent?

 

7:-How can the values ​​of non-governmental agencies be communicated to different sections of the society?

 

8:-To what extent are agencies and public associations participating in the political process or there are differences in the values ​​of agencies and the attitudes of public associations? If there is a difference, in what matters?

 

9:-What kind of behavior do non-governmental agencies have? Do they want to create a revolution through political process?

 

POLITICAL POWER:

 

 

The combination  of government authorities and powers is called political power. Political power is a power that influences the actions of others. Political power depends on the extent to which it influences people. These restrictions can be negative as well as positive in nature. Sometimes it can be in the form of promises and sometimes in the form of threats. Sometimes it also happens that the government sends those who oppose the political power to jail. The ruling class tries to implement its policies whether they are positive or negative.

 

The ruling class always try to justify  their actions.

 

The characteristics of political power are as follows:

 

1:-How political power has weakened and what are the causes of weakness?

2:- How is political power created and how is it stabilized?

3:-Who are the contributors to political power?

4:-To compare the political power found in different states and governments.

5:-What are the ways in which states acquire power? Are they legitimate or not?

 

POLITICAL AUTHORITY AND SOVEREIGHNTY:

 

 

The study of political authority is very important in union politics and various political systems are examined for the purpose of determining who has the power of authority in the state. ?

 

 Who is the source of supreme power?

 

Are there any restrictions imposed on the supreme authority or not?

 

 Is the sovereign above the law or not?

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS:

 

Comparative politics has the following characteristics:

 

1:-Extensive study of infrastructure.

2:-Analytical and empirical research.

 

3:-Emphasis on developing society.

 

4:-Connection with other subjects.

 

BROAD STUDY OF BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE:

 

 

Traditional methodology is only concerned with the knowledge of traditional government structures whereas comparative politics covers all aspects that affect the society. Thus, in comparative politics, the basic structure of government includes political, semi-political and non-political institutions as well as the activities of political parties and influential groups.

 

ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH:

 

In ancient times, the views and opinions of various political thinkers were presented, but no attempt was made to determine whether they were right or wrong. But in the modern style of study, material related to different political systems is brought together. It is analyzed and then conclusions and principles are drawn from it. This is an exploratory study of different political systems. Correlation analysis is part of observational and comparative experimental research.

EMPHASIZE ON DEVELOPING SOCIETY:

 

In the current political situation of the world, the United States  has emerged as the only superpower. A number of developed countries are included in its ranks, but the majority are poor and developing countries. There are differences between the political systems of developed countries and developing countries. In comparative politics, the majority is prioritized over the minority and to study any political topic, the relevant material from the developing states is obtained and analyzed and then conclusions are drawn and principles are formulated.

 

GETTING SUPPORT FROM OTHER SUBJECTS:

 

In modern times, any subject can not maintain its true identity by remaining isolated from other subjects. Similarly, in political science, help is taken from subjects like psychology, sociology and economics.

 

HISTORICAL SURVEY OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS:

 

Although a traditional beginning of comparative politics was the study of constitutions of different countries by Aristotle in the fourth century BC, and some political scientists also used it in the Middle Ages. Did we find this way of thinking regularly a scientific and research status in the twentieth century?

In the present era, comparative politics has formally adopted an empirical color and has been able to formulate and test its established political assumptions. For the purpose of study, the nearly 2300-year history of comparative politics can be divided into two periods:

 

(1) Traditional Age

(ii) Modern Age

 

1:- TRADITIONAL PERIOD:

 

This period began with the famous Greek thinker Aristotle

(384 BC to 322 BC).

He made a comparative study of 184 constitutions of his era and drew some conclusions. Henceforth, early medieval and later political thinkers continued to do political research in the traditional way. This period continued till the end of the nineteenth century. In this traditional period, Polybus, Cicero City's Macaulay Mantisco, James Bryce, Mr. Gorowsky, and Beige Haute worked on political science.

 

 

2:- MODERN PERIOD:

 

The modern period can be called a revolutionary period in terms of political science, because in this period, comparative politics was not only started on a regular scientific basis, but also made full use of the interdisciplinary way of thinking. The modern era of the study of comparative politics began after the First World War, when the world war overturned political systems and regional cultures with its ravages. Among the political thinkers who did research work on comparative politics in this period, the names of H. Beer, Samuel Bernard Macrides, David Easton, Gabriel Almond, James Cullen, Carl Davis Powell, LA swell Nussin Pie, Robert Dahl Adversails and Sidney Verba are important.

 




HURDLES IN STUDYING COMPARATIVE POLITICS:

 

The study of comparative political science is very important for modern politics, but some thinkers have analyzed the shortcomings found in it and the difficulties in this method of study which are as follows:

 

LACK OF RESEARCH MATERIAL:

 

The study of comparative political science demands a lot of material while the discussion and analysis of different political systems requires a lot of time. There is also the problem of where to collect the material as it is difficult to get the material directly from a state. Sourcing the material proves to be quite difficult and expensive.

A poor student of comparative political science finds it difficult to acquire this material, and it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the material obtained.

 

TOPICAL ISSUES:

 

All types of knowledge in the world have developed tremendously and every knowledge has an element of internationalization. Political science is also an international science. It also raises the issue of which topics to include.

 

DIFFERENCE IN GEOGRAPHICAL ENVIRONMENT AND POLITICAL CULTURE:

 

In the study of comparative politics, political culture and geographical conditions play a very important role. Different countries and states have different types of political culture and regional customs and this has a profound influence on their constitutions.

 

RESULT DIFFERENCE:

 

 

Different states and kingdoms of the world have different political systems. Their ideas, beliefs and customs have a profound effect on the political system. For example, in the West, the source of supreme power is considered to be the people, and without their will and intention, law cannot be created, while in Islamic countries, the supreme power belongs to Allah Almighty, His law prevails over all. Then the perspective of researchers studying different political systems is also different from each other i.e. the same political system After analyzing the content obtained from the system, the results are different.

 

DIFFERENCE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS:

 

The principles of the study of comparative politics are not systematically organized. Every thinker and academic politician formulates his own principles while researching a political topic. The principles formulated by different thinkers differ from each other, hence the principles not being uniformly organized is problematic in comparative politics.

 





AMBIGUITY OF REFORMS AND TERMS:

 

 

In modern politics, different thinkers have presented different political terms in different ways because the terms are still undefined. Ambiguity is caused by two thinkers using different terms to express the same thing. To be clear, the mutual disagreement of political thinkers creates problems in comparative political science.

 

DIFFERENT SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT:

 

 

Different schools of thought in political science have a particular point of view. Therefore, when a person studies a particular school of thought, he is definitely influenced by one or the other school of thought.

The school of thoughts by which a researcher is influenced the impact of that school of thought will be seen in his research.

What is Comparative Politics Its features and importance

 

 

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