L1 - Comparative Politics Intro Flashcards
What is the definition of Comparative Politics (CP)
A subfield of political science that studies political structures, actors and process within a political system, using comparative methods to analyse the similarities and differences across different political systems.
Substance [what is studied: structures, actors and processes] + Comparative Method [how it is studied]
What types of questions does CP ask ?
- What does it focus on: internal or external matters or both?
Empirical questions,mostly on political systems.
For exemple:“Why do certain types of
political participation prevail in some countries more than others?”
- CP focuses on internal matters (and external)
Why is Comparative Politics used?
It helps us :
- Gain knowledge about other countries
(Broadness the knowledge: helps overcome ethnocentric basis & You learn about your own countries political system) - Develop Classifications & typologies : Creating groups / classifications with common attributes to better study the systems that comprise this group or the common attributes
- Test Hypothesis: A proposed explanation on a particular political phenomenon
(Comparative methods is a good mean to verify the conclusions of a hypothesis) - make Prediction: Allows you to predict political outcomes
What are issues in Comparative Politics ?
The selection of units of analysis: states, parliaments, governments, and parties
The selection of levels: national, regional, subnational, international (the different levels at which the units can be analyzed)
because there are multiple options available.
the lack of a unified method of analysis –> it instead relies on various methods
(NO 1 one comparative method, but various)
What is the definition of comparative methods (CM)?
Rules and standards of comparative analysis
(How comparisons should be made to enhance description/classification/analysis)
What are the (3) types of Methods used in CM?
Case study Method
Comparative Method
Statistical Method
(experimental method)
What is case study method?
What are the advantages & disadvantages
IMPORTANT: An intensive examination of one particular case and the context in which it exists.
Advantage: Case studies are holistic and have awareness on the context
Disadvantage: Generalization of studies
This method is NOT comparative. HOWEVER, the truth is that
it depends on the specification/objective of the studied case (Some case studies are comparative, while others are not)
ex: Studying the electoral performance of Marine Le Pen’s party, on its own, is not comparative.
Studying the electoral performance of her party, to examine the recent phenomenon of nationalist parties, is comparative. Seeking to draw conclusions on other similar units of analysis (the other nationalist parties)
What are the two type of case studies?
- Deviant Case Study:
- Theory-Testing Case Study
What is Deviant Case Study?
Deviant Case Study: Identifies and examines an exception to what is generally expected from an established theory.
Useful in comparative politics to refine the analysis and build up new theories.
Ex: Focusing on poor states with strong democratic institutions (India), which go against the norm of the link between affluence and democracy.
What is Theory-Testing Case Study
Probing a theory in a new empirical context to which it is supposed to apply.
ex: Post-Apartheid South Africa being used as a theory-testing case study to test whether socially divided states can have strong democratic institutions.
What is Comparative Method?
A systematic analysis of a small number of cases (small-N analysis)
What are comparative method problems & their possible solutions?
Problem N°1: Too few cases, too many variables:
- Solution A: Increases number of cases (N) –> problematic, because there is a finite number of countries that you can compare.
- Solution B: Most Similar System Design (MSSD).
Problem N°2: Selection on dependent variables (DV)
- Solution A: Most Dissimilar System Design (MDSD)
What is Most Similar System Design (MSSD)
A comparative method that compares a small number of cases that are similar in most aspects but differ in terms of the variable being studied in order to control for other potential factors that may influence the outcome.
What is Most Dissimilar System Design (MDSD)?
A comparative method that attempts to isolate a factor by selecting countries which are as different as possible in as many aspects, except for the concept you are examining
Advantage:
- Robustness of explanation: It’s more robust with the comparison of multiple units of analysis (more so than case studies)
Sensitivity to the factors that affect these units of analysis
What is Statistical Method?
Comparative method based on a large-N of cases, using statistical techniques to examine relationships between variables.
- Large-N (focusing on large number of units of analysis)
