ICS and NIMS
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Rational Approach in Comparative politics
The relation approach or theory refers to a theory that focuses on understanding and modeling people’s economic and social behaviors. The rational approach considers behavior purposive, implying that individuals have choices that they consider to achieve set goals and objectives. However, the emphasis on choices and goals contrasts with other psychological and sociological approaches regarding behaviors to respond to social leisure, norms, and inner drives. Rational choice consists of various schools that differ in institutions’ importance, political process, or belief in welfare properties.
Strengths of Rational Approach
One of the rational approach’s strengths is a generality, which earns that assumption which relates to someone’s behavior in a given circumstance is compatible with every assumption regarding the setting in an environment in which the person is present. Secondly, the rational approach focuses on parsimony. Knowledge of the assumptions regarding this approach combined with the optimization model gives room for actors and their choices as a function of the given position. Finally, the approach is predictive. Most of the decisive theories have been produced by assuming the rationing approach, whose real-world predictions differ from the available outcome.
The weaknesses of the Rational Approach
One of the weaknesses of the rational approach is problems resulting from inadequate information and uncertainty. Undoubtedly, this affects the rational decisions of individuals, making them rely on other decision-making processes. Secondly, human social interactions and actions are complex, and other theories explain better ways and guidance on how these happen.
Positivist (Scientific Method)
Positivism is a philosophical theory that explains that knowledge’s genuineness is derived from our experience in natural occurrences and relations. The source of all specific knowledge is derived from sensory experiences and interpreted through logic and reason. The scientific method explains that society operates on general laws. Western thought has experienced recurrence in the positivist approach; Auguste Comte formulated a modern approach in the early 19th century. Further, he argued that society lies in the physical world operations focus on gravity and other absolute laws.
Strengths of Positivist Method
The first strength of the positivist method is that it relies on quantitative data more than qualitative data. Quantitative data is more scientific and more trusted than qualitative data. Also, quantitative data offers information that helps researchers in making scientific assumptions. Secondly, positivism is well structured during studies and discussions. Positivists believe that there exist laws and regulations that need to be followed. The structure gives room for variable changes and room for variance, making the scientific study more accurate.
Weaknesses of Positivist Approach
One of the disadvantages of the positivist approach is the focus on human behaviors. The approach believes that conclusion and objective inferences are reached when one disregards emotion seen though human behavior comes naturally with emotional responses. Also, according to positivism, there is no guarantee that during studies, it will occur. Secondly, some scholars believe that since everything is calculated and measured, the method is inflexible. In most cases, positivists disregard the unexplained phenomena since they see things are they imagine. The possibility of eliminating lateral thinking is therefore very high.
Demographic Backsliding
Introduction
Demographic backsliding refers to the gradual decline in democracy quality resulting in loss of state demographic qualities leading to autocracy or authoritarian governance. The cause of demographic decline is state lead weakening of institutions that could offer sustainability to the democratic system. Although the political elements may lead to backsliding, other components include sustainable democratic systems over time. Nancy Bermeo explains that some factors of demographic backsliding, such as classic which are more subtle.
Critical Insight from Theories of Demographic Consolidation
Critical insight from theories of demographic consolidation is the role of economic development. Most countries in the world are heavily affected by demographic change at various levels. For instance, countries have experienced a decline in urbanization and deindustrialization, resulting in socio-economic issues. Due to the falling fertility rates, any countries are likely to experience shrinkage in the years to come. To fully address economic development and demographic change, solutions as government interventions and the right approach to actors are factors.
Role of Economic Development and Trends towards Backsliding
Community Shrinkage and sustainability
Globally, there is a need to address the growing trends on shrinkage in communities in adapting to aging and declining populations’ demographic trends. Concerning economic sustainability, there is a need to diversify the local economic base and exploit the natural resources and other growth sources. However, both the local and national governments’ efforts assist in better management of the fluctuating trends. Also, shrinkage activities could result in many opportunities. The local government, therefore, needs to focus on the ways of dealing with community shrinkage.
Social Dynamics and Demographic Change
In cases where social dynamics are experienced, the engagements and interactions are complex regarding the shrinkage and demographic change. Therefore, an integrated approach must ensure that social cohesion and inflating new systems also constructed holistic policies and other innovative practices to provide for elderly families. Social innovation that aims to improve the individual’s quality of life plays a vital role in addressing the challenges.
Regeneration Strategies for Communities
Different communities respond differently to demographic changes. For instance, regeneration highly explains social phenomena, unlike other economic changes that focus on large population outmigration. Most generational strategies reorient the growth and focus on improving housing and people’s living conditions and improving urban governance. In some regions, however, there exists no policy imposed on the central state. Also, in other countries, the potential of planning is not fully utilized.
Conclusion
The cause of demographic decline is state lead weakening of institutions that could offer sustainability to the democratic system. Most countries in the world are heavily affected by demographic change at various levels. Therefore, there is a need to address the growing trends in communities in adapting to the aging and declining populations’ demographic trends.