Good Society, The
Description
Combining thematic and country approaches to show students what comparative politics is really about, The Good Society organizes itself around a key question-why are some countries better than others at improving their citizens' lives?
This brief survey offers a focused look at political institutions and uses in-depth country studies to compare how different institutional arrangements yield different political results. By concentrating on how politics affects citizens' lives, The Good Society offers a uniquely relevant introduction to comparative politics that goes to the heart of the field and helps students develop a critical point-of-view.
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Content
Brief Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. Good Societies
Chapter 2. The State
Chapter 3. State and Society
Chapter 4. Political Culture
Chapter 5. Political Economy
Chapter 6. Authoritarianism
Chapter 7. Democracy
Chapter 8. Development and Underdevelopment
Chapter 9. Developed Countries and the Good Society
Chapter 10. Less Developed Countries and the Good Society
Chapter 11. Communism, Post-Communism, and the Good Society
Detailed Table of Contents:
Preface
CHAPTER 1. GOOD SOCIETIES
Introduction
The Logic and Practice of Comparative Political Analysis
Comparative Political Analysis: Does Gender Equality Help Girls Do Better in School?
Visions of the Good Society: Gross National Product and Gross National Happiness
In Brief: Criticisms of the GNP and GNH as Measures of the Good Society
Capabilities and the Quality of Life
Physical Well-being
The Good Society In Depth: Costa Rica - Doing More with Less
Informed Decision-making
Safety
Democracy
Some Caveats
In Brief: Operationalizing Concepts
Responding to Criticisms of the Capability Approach
Conclusion
CHAPTER 2. THE STATE
Introduction
Institutions and Power
The State
The Good Society In Depth: Somalia - The Weightlessness of Statelessness
The Origins of the State
Political Institutions
Federal and Unitary Systems
In Brief: Federal and Unitary Systems
The Legislature
The Executive
The Bureaucracy
In Brief: Bureaucracy
The Military
The Judiciary
Comparative Political Analysis: Does the Design of Political Institutions Make a Difference in People's Lives?
Conclusion
CHAPTER 3. STATE AND SOCIETY
Introduction
Political Participation
Political Parties
In Brief: Strong and Weak Political Parties
The Good Society In Depth: Iraq - From Bullets to Ballots (and perhaps back again)
Interest Groups
In Brief: Pluralist and Corporatist Interest Groups
Social Movements
Patron-Client Relations
Weak and Strong States
Comparative Political Analysis: Why Do Some Political Institutions Work Better than Others?
Weak States, Strong States, and The Good Society
Physical Well-being
Informed Decision-making
Safety
Democracy
Conclusion
CHAPTER 4. POLITICAL CULTURE
Introduction
Culture and Political Culture
Three Approaches to the Study of Culture and Political Culture
The Social Character Approach
The Congruence Approach
The Social Capital Approach
In Brief: Social Character, Congruence, and Social Capital
Politics of Identity
Ethnicity
In Brief: Ethnicity and Race
The Good Society In Depth: Kenya - Ethnic Violence and Capabilities
Comparative Political Analysis: Is Ethnic Diversity a Root Cause of Civil Wars?
Nationalism
Religion
Political Culture, Identities, and The Good Society
Physical Well-being
Informed Decision-making
Safety
Democracy
Conclusion
CHAPTER 5. POLITICAL ECONOMY
Introduction
In Brief: Market Systems
States and Markets
The Advantages of