Focuses on institutions in a political system and the process within them.
Suggests that political outcomes are largely determined by the formal structures and processes laid out within a political system.
Relevant when comparing legislatures, executives, judiciaries, constitutions, electoral systems, political parties and pressure groups.
For example, the structural differences between the US and UK constitutions, being codified and uncodified, lead to difference of outcome.
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RATIONAL APPROACH
Focuses on individuals within a political system.
Suggests that an individual acts rationally, choosing to act in a particular way out of self-interest, as a way to give them a beneficial outcome.
Relevant when comparing legislatures, members of the executive branch, voters, political parties and pressure groups.
For example, the different choices made by te affluent and the poor when voting in elections - each attempting to achieve their desired policy goals.
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CULTURAL APPROACH
Focuses onshared ideaswithin a political system or group.
Suggests that these shared ideas, beliefs and values of a group within society often determine the actions of that group.
Culture tells us who we are collectively, what is important to us, and how we should behave.
For example, the different relationships between the state and organised religion in the USA comnpared with the UK being accounted for by the cultural history of each nation.
(Tip: look at freedom of speech/religion amendment, and at the % of voting for each party based on religion).
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