1. How does Lasswell’s definition of politics (who gets what, when & how) apply to comparative politics?
2. Be familiar with the following concepts: state, nation, third world.
3. Discuss the importance of the three "templates" (the Political System, Historical factors, and Cultural/Societal factors) that affect how and why states behave the way they do.
4. Differentiate between the various decision-rules governing policy-making.
5. Distinguish between a command (socialist), market (capitalist) and welfare-state economies.
6. Discuss the approach that Switzerland has taken toward drug policy.  What are the benefits and drawbacks of that system?  Would you change our approach to drug policy?

1. Why did the US framers set up a system which creates a "permanent tug-of-war among the three branches of government?"
2. How does the US select its president?  Is it democratic?
3. What impact has our individualistic political culture (and mistrust of government) had on the role of the government?  How does that explain the huge gap in income inequality in the US compared to other industrialized societies?
4. What does Hauss mean when he argues that the US is a "weak state?" In other words, what factors make it weak?"

Ch. 2: Industrialized Democracies & The Full Monty;  Sicko

1. What are characteristics that make a country democratic? Do you agree with all five criteria listed in the text?  Specifically, do you agree that democracy cannot exist without an industrialized capitalist base?
2. Differentiate  between Presidential systems like the US and Parliamentary systems.   Roesler argues that the US has formal checks & balances while Britiain has more vocal give-and-take inside the House of Commons.  How does each approach limit governmental power?
3. Discuss the impact of "single-member districts" versus "proportional representation" on third parties.
4. What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unitary system of government?  Of a federal system?
5. Discuss the problems facing post-industrial societies.
6. How big a role does the US government play in social issues (such as health care) compared to other western democracies?
7. Americans pay the most for health care, but do we have the best health care in the world?  Be sure to compare life expectancy and access.
8. Be familiar with the terms "medical loss" and "patient dumping."

Ch. 4: The UK & film clips: Question Time; read "Kissing the Whip", (Palast pp311-315)

1. Explain the difference between the freedom of press in the US and the UK.  Do you agree with Palast on the importance of freedom of the press?
2. Discuss the importance of geography in Britain’s political stability and economic and military prowess.  Contrast this to how Germany's geography affected it's role in Europe (2nd part is for later).
3. Contrast the Conservative and Labour parties on the issue of integrating with the EU.
4. Explain the "Thatcher Revolution" and Tony Blair's "Third Way."
5. Compare the role of the state in the economy in the US and Britain.
6. Contrast the unitary system of the UK (as well as it’s fusion of powers) with that of the US.  Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of  devolving power in the UK.  
7. Explain the role of the Queen & the House of Lords.  Would you eliminate or reform the House of Lords?

Chapter 6 (Germany) & Culture of Commerce video

1. Based on the Full Monty, Roger & Me & the Culture of Commerce videos, what are the problems faced by post-industrial societies?
2. What impact did World War II have on the need and/or the desire for management-labor cooperation in Germany and Japan?
3. Discuss corporatism and codetermination . Compare the role of the state in the economy in Germany, US and the UK.
4. Go to this website http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/executive.html and click on "Facts and Figures" to compare CEO salaries. How does this reflect the relationship between workers and management illustrated in the film Culture of Commerce?
5. Describe the roles of the occupying powers after World War II in shaping German government and politics.
6. Compare the political parties and electoral systems in the UK and Germany to those in the US.
7. Describe the structure and functioning of the German regime and governments. Be sure to discuss the significance of the Chancellor, The Bundestag, Federalism, and the Constitutional Court.

Chapter 7: The EU

1. Discuss the impact of the Cold War on the early steps towards European integration and trace its development since. Specifically, discuss the significance of the SEA, the Maastricht Treaty, and the Treaty of Amsterdam.
2. Is the EU a state?
3. Discuss the following problems facing the EU: the CAP, CFSP, Democracy deficit, "deepening" and "widening."
4. Read this article & explain how you would make the EU more democratic.
5. Read this article and compare the British and German approaches to the EU (also note Spain's actions).  Read this article on British reaction to the new Lisbon Treaty. 
6. Listen to this interview of T.R. Reid and this article on Microsoft and the EU. Explain Reid's point of view. Even though Europe is not a military power, do you think it will be a superpower?

Chapter 8: Japan & Schools of Thought video (be sure to review notes from Culture of Commerce video)

Note: don't forget to watch the Japan minilecture

1. Discuss the role of business and labor in Germany and Japan.  Compare that relationship to that in the US and Japan.  Include the following: keiretsu, co-determination, cross-ownership.
2. Using the example of Nissan and Hitachi from the Culture of Commerce video, discuss the drawback of keiretsu?
3. Why has it been so hard for foreign companies to get a foothold in Japan?  Be sure to discuss non-tariff barriers, keiretsu and MITI.
4. In what way did the rise of the Cold War affect the reforms of SCAP (demilitarization and democratization)?
5. What has been the impact of Article 9 and the US-Japan Security Treaty on Japan’s foreign policy?
6. Discuss the role of the LDP in Japanese politics since WWII.
7. Compare the education systems in the US and Japan.  What are the advantages of each?
8. How does "groupism" affect the Japanese approach to education, business and democracy?

End of Midterm Material

Chapter 5 & 6: Eastern Europe

1. Discuss the Czech transition to a market economy.  How has it's transition fared compared to its neighbors?
2. Compare the breakups of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.  Why do you think the results were so different?
3. Should it be easy or difficult for regions (such as Chechnya, Croatia and Kosovo) to secede?  Is creating a federal system a viable alternative to calls for independence?