Analytical Strategies

Question 1

Logic

Answer 1

Validity of arguments based on the relationship between premises and a conclusion
- ex. If the economy is doing well, this government has at least on great achievement. The economy is doing well. Thus, this government has a great achievement.

Question 2

Inductive Logic

Answer 2

Observation of a phenomena, in order to produce a universal theory
Ex. This swan is white. All observed swans are white. All swans are white.
Ex. Corporation X left to Mexico, a country with low labour code regulations. Corporation Y and Z went to India and Bangladesh respectively. Globalization has pushed corporations to move towards countries with low-labour regulations.

The theories are usually from observations and generalizations

Question 3

Deductive Logic

Answer 3

Theoretical assumptions set the base to which hypothesis, after observations hypothesis is accepted or rejected.
Ex. All swans are white. observations confirm this aquatic bird is a swan. Then this is a swan.
Ex. General Rule: In a first-past-the-post electoral system, parties will try to move towards the centre to get most of the votes. Case: the US Republican and Democratic Party are centre based political party, concern not to be seen as radical.
US political parties support similar political program.

Question 4

Parsimony

Answer 4

A preference towards the least complicated explanation for political events.
- One variable is believed to be enough to explain the event
- simplicity can easily generate prediction
- trade-off with complexity of variables and accuracy of statements
Example: why Russia invaded Ukraine
- Russian president is an irrational person

Question 5

Example 1. Inductive Logic

Answer 5

Exxon oil company have supported republican candidates, and so did Shell and BP.
- Republicans represent the interest of Oil industry

Question 6

Example 2. Using Deductive Logic

Answer 6

Theoretical assumption: Voters follow along their class line
NDP creates policy for the working class interest.
- all union members will vote for NDP

Question 7

Rational Choice, Institutionalism, Marxism

Answer 7

Deductive logic is favoured.
Theories setting models (mathematical, computer models) to deduce explanations
- Objective: Generate predictive hypothesis about the social world

Question 8

Empiricism and Behavioural Approach

Answer 8

Inductive logic is favoured.
Assumes on the possibility of neutral and objective collective of data, with no general assumption and ethical input.
- ‘let the facts…speak for themselves’ (Smith 1995: 7)
Assumes collection of data can be with full accuracy and precision.
Points to the need to discover regularities and uniformity, which in turn should generate a general law.