Grand Theories Of Comparative Politics Versus The Frameworks Of Analysis

So, are the frameworks of analysis new ideas that represent a break from the old traditions of the grand theories, or are they still replicate the earlier grand theories? I think that they are indeed unique ways of studying the development of countries. They can be applied to a variety of situations in order to explain development. They also allow for more discrepancy in findings – after all, no two people think alike.

The next of these grand theories is the theory of modernization. Modernization argues that there is a linear process that replaces traditional values and systems with modern Western ones and that all societies are ultimately headed toward democracy and free-market economies. There is first an economic change, then a political change, and finally a cultural change. However, many comparative political scientists will argue that modernization contains several faults. First, modernization does not explain how societies move from one stage to another. It also overlooks the extent to which the traditional and modern coexist in many poorer countries – according to modernization there is a complete transformation from the traditional to the modern. Modernization assumes that capitalism and the “age of mass consumption” are the goals of all economic development. It is often looked upon as an economic theory, not as a political theory.

While the frameworks of analysis are useful tools in implementing structural functionalism, they fall short with the other grand theories. Modernization takes for granted that modern Western ideals and values are the ultimate goal of any developing country. This is simply not the case. The theory of culture, rational choice, ideological rationality, and the perspective theory all can be used to make the argument that this is not necessarily the case. According to rational choice theory, and authoritarian ruler, such as the one in Iran, would not want to give up his rule in order for democracy to develop. But according to modernization, Iran cannot develop until he does. However, Iran is indeed quite developed.

The biggest critique of rational choice theory is another framework of analysis – ideological rationality. Ideological rationality argues that individuals are exposed to a “socialization environment” in which they learn values and norms which eventually are internalized. People act not because of their personal self-interest, but because of what they believe to be a rational decision because of ideals they possess. Their decisions are considered rational because they are based on ideals and norms one possesses, whether they will be of direct benefit to the person or not. This theory best explains the development of the Islamic world, such as Al-Quida. While it may not seem rational nor in one’s self-interest to commit a suicide attack, it is rational when examining the motives behind the attack. To the Muslim extremist, their primary preference is to achieve salvation. According to Muslim doctrine, the quickest and most sure way of accomplishing this is through dying in the name of Islam. To the suicide attacker, he is doing just that.

Before we can begin to examine the differences between the old school grand theories and the new school of the frameworks of analysis it is important we have a good working knowledge of these methods of study. We must first define all of the grand theories and frameworks of analysis and briefly critique them individually in order to offer up some basis for comparison. The first of the grand theories of comparative politics is structural functionalism. Structural functionalism is based on the idea that there are demands placed on the government, and there are certain functions in place to deal with these demands. This list of “functions” all must be filled in order to operate as a country. These functions are divided into three parts: process functions, policy functions, and system function

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