Comparative Political Science
Global politics, otherwise referred to as world politics, refers to both the field which studies the economic and political patterns of the global arena and the political structures that emerge from these patterns. In the middle of this field are the various processes of global political globalization, particularly in reference to issues of global social hierarchy. The most developed polity in the process of global politics is China. Although it has not been able to completely replicate the practices of its neighbors, it has established itself as a major player in the global political scene. It has led many to question its own territorial claims, particularly in the East China Sea.
The United States and other developed countries have long had a complicated relationship with each other. Whereas the US has traditionally supported democratic movements and societies around the world, many in the US and other countries have questioned US diplomatic support for human rights, especially in terms of supporting Africa independence movements. China has had a similar stance on human rights issues, but it has often acted to resolve differences through economic means. Recently however, the Chinese government has taken up the issue of global warming with a severity that many nations, particularly the US, have not seen before. This has created a significant rift between the US and China, with the US labeling China as a “currency manipulator” and urging the Chinese to use restraint when making trade moves.
Comparative political economy describes the study of international relations. In the study of world politics and international relations, we look at how different polities form and evolve over time and who leads these organizations. Comparative political economy traces the development of political systems, how they differ from one another, and what the similarities and differences are. This helps us understand how international trade and political power play off each other in the development of international relations. We can see, for instance, how the rise of liberalism and globalization has left some areas of the world economically disadvantaged while others, such as Latin America and Asia, have seen rapid development and political stability. Similarly, we can see how the World Trade Organization, created to allow developed nations like the US to negotiate high tariffs and fees on imported goods, has been used by some developing nations to artificially restrict industrialization and national economic development.
Comparative political economy also studies the relationships between the world’s major political parties and governing coalitions. These coalitions often find common ground on world politics although their policy differences often become clear when they are faced with a variety of global problems. Sometimes this analysis can lead to the creation of international coalitions, such as the European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN), which have managed to coordinate global efforts to fight terrorism and increase peace and security around the globe. Comparative political economy does require us to look at the relationship between economic globalization and political globalization.
Comparative political science also studies what effects policies will have on the distribution of income and wealth around the world. The distribution of wealth and income is a major consideration in the study of international relations because it is an important part of what determines the strength and weakness of a country or political system. Many theories of international politics explain how policies affect the size of various nations. However, comparative political science offers more than just a comparison between various countries. It looks at the ways that wealth is distributed in the world, both before and after policies are implemented. This makes it a valuable field of research for people who want to learn more about the relationships among different polities and their relationships with each other.
Comparative political science is very useful for those who are interested in political theory, international relations, and global governance. This field studies the causes and theories behind global politics and how the policies that are implemented in one part of the world can impact the decisions of other countries. One example of this is the effects of the European Union’s Common Market Act on the United States. Comparative political science is a powerful lens through which scholars can explore many of the complicated issues that face our world today.