The Complete Guide to Comparative Politics Flashcards
Comparative politics examines how political systems differ across countries—from democracies to authoritarian regimes, from parliamentary to presidential systems, from proportional to majoritarian electoral rules. Success in this field requires mastering theoretical frameworks while applying them to diverse country cases.
Why Political Science Students Need Flashcards
Comparative politics uniquely combines abstract theory with empirical knowledge. You must simultaneously understand Lijphart's consensus vs. majoritarian distinction AND know that Belgium exemplifies consociationalism while the UK represents Westminster majoritarianism. Flashcards bridge this gap:
- Theoretical frameworks: Definitions of regime types, democratization theories, institutional design principles
- Key theorists: Huntington, Lijphart, Linz, O'Donnell, Przeworski—their contributions and debates
- Country cases: Which countries exemplify which political phenomena? Why?
Creating Comparative Flashcards
The best comparative politics cards explicitly draw comparisons—after all, comparison is the method:
Definition card: "Define electoral authoritarianism" → "Regime holding elections that are neither free nor fair, maintaining authoritarian control through manipulation"
Comparison card: "How do Russia and Singapore differ as hybrid regimes?" → "Russia: competitive authoritarianism with facade opposition; Singapore: hegemonic party with limited contestation but higher legitimacy"
Application card: "Using Linz's criteria, classify contemporary Hungary" → "Competitive authoritarian/illiberal democracy: elections exist but playing field is uneven, media controlled, civil society constrained"
Organizing Your Comparative Politics Deck
- Regime Types: Democracy, authoritarianism, hybrid regimes, totalitarianism (40-50 cards)
- Political Institutions: Executive, legislative, judicial, electoral systems (50-60 cards)
- Democratization: Waves, transitions, consolidation, backsliding (35-45 cards)
- Political Economy: Development, resource curse, welfare states (30-40 cards)
- Country Cases: Major countries with their regime characteristics (40-60 cards)
LectureScribe creates flashcards from your poli sci lectures, capturing the specific countries and comparisons your professor emphasizes—essential for essay exams requiring case application.