Introduction to political science S. Hix and M. Whiting PS1172 2012 Undergraduate study in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences This subject guide is for a 100 course offered as part of the University of London International Programmes in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences. This is equivalent to Level 4 within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ). For more information about the University of London International Programmes undergraduate study in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences, see: www.londoninternational.ac.uk This guide was prepared for the University of London International Programmes by: Simon Hix, Professor of European and Comparative Politics and Fellow of the British Academy, Department of Government, Ecocomics and Political Science Matthew Whiting, LSE Fellow in Government, Department of Government, London School of Economics and Political Science. 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Contents Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 What this course is about .............................................................................................. 1 Aims and objectives ....................................................................................................... 2 The structure of the subject guide .................................................................................. 3 Reading advice .............................................................................................................. 3 How to use this subject guide ........................................................................................ 3 ‘Adopt a country’ ........................................................................................................... 4 Recommended study time .............................................................................................. 4 Online study resources ................................................................................................... 5 Section A: Thinking like a political scientist ........................................................... 9 Chapter 1: What is political science? .................................................................... 11 Aims of the chapter ..................................................................................................... 11 Learning outcomes ...................................................................................................... 11 Interactive tasks .......................................................................................................... 11 Reading ...................................................................................................................... 11 1.1 What is political science? ....................................................................................... 12 1.2 Explanations in political science ............................................................................. 16 1.3 Methods in political science ................................................................................... 22 1.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 27 1.5 A reminder of your learning outcomes .................................................................... 27 1.6 Sample examination questions ............................................................................... 28 Chapter 2: Democracy .......................................................................................... 29 Aims of the chapter ..................................................................................................... 29 Learning outcomes ...................................................................................................... 29 Interactive tasks .......................................................................................................... 29 Reading ...................................................................................................................... 29 2.1 What is democracy? ............................................................................................... 30 2.2 Democracy in political science ................................................................................ 31 2.3 Measuring democracy ............................................................................................ 33 2.4 Explaining democracy ............................................................................................ 35 2.5 Cases studies of democratisation ........................................................................... 41 2.6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 45 2.7 A reminder of your learning outcomes .................................................................... 45 2.8 Sample examination questions ............................................................................... 46 Section B: Analysing political behaviour .............................................................. 47 Chapter 3: Political preferences and voting behaviour ........................................ 49 Aims of the chapter ..................................................................................................... 49 Learning outcomes ...................................................................................................... 49 Interactive tasks .......................................................................................................... 49 Reading ...................................................................................................................... 49 3.1 How are preferences formed? ................................................................................ 50 3.2 The left–right dimension ........................................................................................ 52 3.3 Mapping political preferences ................................................................................ 54 3.4 Cleavages and voting behaviour ............................................................................ 55 3.5 Strategic voting ..................................................................................................... 57 3.6 Strategic voting in the UK and the Netherlands ...................................................... 60 3.7 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 62 i 172 Introduction to political science 3.8 A reminder of your learning outcomes .................................................................... 62 3.9 Sample examination questions ............................................................................... 62 Chapter 4: How electoral systems shape political behaviour .............................. 63 Aims of the chapter ..................................................................................................... 63 Learning outcomes ...................................................................................................... 63 Interactive tasks .......................................................................................................... 63 Reading ...................................................................................................................... 63 4.1 Types of electoral systems ...................................................................................... 64 4.2 Political consequences of electoral systems: a series of trade-offs ............................ 73 4.3 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 79 4.4 A reminder of your learning outcomes .................................................................... 80 4.5 Sample examination questions ............................................................................... 80 Chapter 5: Political parties – polarisation or convergence? ................................ 81 Aims of the chapter ..................................................................................................... 81 Learning outcomes ...................................................................................................... 81 Interactive tasks .......................................................................................................... 81 Reading .....................................................................................................................