Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Chapter 1: The uses of Comparative Government
In reading chapter 1 of the book countries and concepts, I discovered a lot of information I never knew before. I also learned a few definitions. It explains what the book will be about and includes quarrels and of course comparisons. It also states what international relations are and has a short paragraph about it. I never knew the difference between comparative politics and international relations either. Who would know that without having to do work to look it up. After all we do live in a very lazy country with drive-thru windows and such. The books states why comparative politics and international relations can be confused with each other. "Comparative politics studies political interactions within countries, whereas international relations studies what happens among countries. It goes back and refers to Aristotle and how he found that the best- governed city-states had large middle classes. In the short reading about Aristotle it talks about "demagogues" and in the corner it defines the term as well. It also talks about three different types of government. It then leads to talk about democracy. In my opinion democracy cannot always be seen as a good thing. It is complex and very difficult to understand and not everyone knows the true definition of a democracy. The book also includes six definitions of democracy, some include competition and equality. It weird because most people look at a democracy as a way of freedom, but in reality there are invisible chains there withholding those who think they are free. It also talks about nations and states. A state is governmental institution. I was surprised by the books definition of a nation. I wasn't so surprised on how it described a nation is formed. It then proceeds to talk about geography, what made the modern state, the modern state, nationalism, how the past has impacted the present, political culture, key institutions, and ideology. It also talks about political culture. The first chapter consists of definitions and explanations and what the book will bring forth.
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Anita, I was also amazed by the six definitions that the chapter provided. Again, democracy has many aspects to it, but it pretty awesome to know that in every country many people are united by their own definition of democracy. I really like how you broke down the chapter in your blog, and what I like the most is that you were just as surprised as I was to find new things out about politics in other places. Personally, nationalism is what struck me the most, but also the political culture and ideologies of the many countries is astounding. Thank you again for sharing your take on this chapter because I feel the exact same way like you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kelsey! I thought I would be alone at first due to the fact the fact that there are so many brilliant minds in our class who already know about this. I thought I knew about democracy but I never knew there was more than one definition! It's amazing what we uncovered in just the first chapter! I am looking forward to reading and learning more in the book!
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