Giovanni Sartori

Bio: Giovanni Sartori is an academic researcher from Columbia University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ideology & Trusted third party. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 76 publications receiving 11047 citations. Previous affiliations of Giovanni Sartori include University of Florence.

Hacia dónde va la Ciencia Política

Abstract: LJa ciencia politica, segun entendemos actualmente el termino, nacio en Europa Occidental a principios de la decada de 1950. Se podria decir que "renacio", f)ero eso no seria del todo preciso, porque en el siglo xix y hasta la Segunda Guerra Mundial, dicha etiqueta senalo una disciplina cautiva dominada, en gran medida, por los enfoques juridicos o historicos (como en el caso, por ejemplo, de Gaetano Mosca). De este modo, la ciencia politica tuvo un nuevo comienzo y se convirtio en un campo de investigacion por derecho propio mas o menos hace medio siglo. En ese tiempo, yo fui uno de sus fundadores (junto con Stein Rokkan, Juan Linz, Mattei Dogan, Hans Daalder, Eric Allardt, S. N. Eisenstadt y otros. Vease Comparative European Politics: The Story ofa ProJession, editado por H. Daalder, 1997). Soy, por lo tanto, uno de los testigos de lo que los "jovenes turcos" de ese entonces tenian en mente, de como concebimos y promovimos la ciencia politica. Ahora soy un "viejo sabio" y me da gusto reflexionar, unos cincuenta anos despues, respecto a donde ha ido la ciencia politica y si ha seguido el camino correcto, el que yo hubiera deseado y esperado. Asi, preguntar hoy dia hacia donde se ha estado dirigiendo la ciencia politica es tambien preguntar si los nuevos comienzos de la disciplina en Europa Oriental debieron o no seguir el camino andado por nuestro "gran hermano", y me refiero a la ciencia politica americana. A mi tambien me ha absorbido de alguna manera nuestro gran hermano (ciertamente, benevolo y bien intencionado) pues tengo unos treinta anos de dar clases en Estados Unidos. Permitaseme anadir que yo me he beneficiado bastante de mi contacto con Esta-

Pluralismo, multiculturalismo e estranei

Abstract: Il pluralismo e di moda. Ma le parole troppo popolari diventano oggetto di contesa e di conquista – dopotutto nomina numina – e cosi vengono abusate, distorte e trivializzate. Pertanto e bene ricostruire il concetto di pluralismo nella sua genesi e nel suo sviluppo storico, e cosi ancorare la parola alla storia della parola. Dal che risultera che per quanto il concetto sia sempre stato, per cosi dire, elastico, non ne consegue che «pluralismo» sia una parola tuttofare atta a nobilitare quasiasi causa. A tirarli troppo anche gli elastici si rompono. Analogamente, piu di tanto il concetto di pluralismo non puo essere stiracchiato. O cosi sembra a me.

Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences

Abstract: A text that emphasizes the importance of case studies in social science scholarship and shows how to make case study practices more rigorous.

Increasing Returns, Path Dependence, and the Study of Politics

Abstract: It is increasingly common for social scientists to describe political processes as “path dependent.” The concept, however, is often employed without careful elaboration. This article conceptualizes path dependence as a social process grounded in a dynamic of “increasing returns.” Reviewing recent literature in economics and suggesting extensions to the world of politics, the article demonstrates that increasing returns processes are likely to be prevalent, and that good analytical foundations exist for exploring their causes and consequences. The investigation of increasing returns can provide a more rigorous framework for developing some of the key claims of recent scholarship in historical institutionalism: Specific patterns of timing and sequence matter; a wide range of social outcomes may be possible; large consequences may result from relatively small or contingent events; particular courses of action, once introduced, can be almost impossible to reverse; and consequently, political development is punctuated by critical moments or junctures that shape the basic contours of social life.

Social Theory of International Politics

Abstract: Drawing upon philosophy and social theory, Social Theory of International Politics develops a theory of the international system as a social construction. Alexander Wendt clarifies the central claims of the constructivist approach, presenting a structural and idealist worldview which contrasts with the individualism and materialism which underpins much mainstream international relations theory. He builds a cultural theory of international politics, which takes whether states view each other as enemies, rivals or friends as a fundamental determinant. Wendt characterises these roles as 'cultures of anarchy', described as Hobbesian, Lockean and Kantian respectively. These cultures are shared ideas which help shape state interests and capabilities, and generate tendencies in the international system. The book describes four factors which can drive structural change from one culture to another - interdependence, common fate, homogenization, and self-restraint - and examines the effects of capitalism and democracy in the emergence of a Kantian culture in the West.

Comparing Media Systems: three models of media and politics

Abstract: This book proposes a framework for comparative analysis of the relation between the media and the political system Building on a survey of media institutions in eighteen West European and North American democracies, Hallin and Mancini identify the principal dimensions of variation in media systems and the political variables that have shaped their evolution They go on to identify three major models of media system development, the Polarized Pluralist, Democratic Corporatist, and Liberal models; to explain why the media have played a different role in politics in each of these systems; and to explore the force of change that are currently transforming them It provides a key theoretical statement about the relation between media and political systems, a key statement about the methodology of comparative analysis in political communication, and a clear overview of the variety of media institutions that have developed in the West, understood within their political and historical context

Veto Players: How Political Institutions Work

Abstract: List of Figures ix List of Tables xi Preface and Acknowledgments xiii Introduction 1 PART I: VETO PLAYERS THEORY 17 One: Individual Veto Players 19 Two: Collective Veto Players 38 PART II: VETO PLAYERS AND INSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS 65 Three: Regimes: Nondemocratic, Presidential, and Parliamentary 67 Four: Governments and Parliaments 91 Five: Referendums 116 Six: Federalism, Bicameralism, and Qualified Majorities 136 PART III: POLICY EFFECTS OF VETO PLAYERS 161 Seven: Legislation 165 Eight: Macroeconomic Policies 187 PART IV: SYSTEMIC EFFECTS OF VETO PLAYERS 207 Nine: Government Stability 209 Ten: Judiciary and Bureaucracies 222 Eleven: Veto Players Analysis of European Union Institutions 248 Conclusion 283 Bibliography 291 Index 309