Chapter 1: The Comparative Approach
Sufficient Condition
A phenomenon always happens when it exists, but could also happen for other reasons A+B+C=Event, C=Event, C+D+E=Event, F=Event
Necessary Condition
A phenomenon can't happen without it, but doesn't always happen with it A+B+C=Event, C+D+E=No Event
Open-Ended Questions
A question that, in principle, is open to numerous possible answers
Most-Similar-Systems (MSS)
A research design in which we compare cases that are similar with respect to a number of factors but with distinct outcomes
Most-Different-Systems (MDS)
A research design in which we compare cases that differ with respect to multiple factors but in which the outcome is the same
Evidence
A set of facts or observations used to support a proposition or hypothesis
What are the key questions for scholars of comparative politics?
About WHY something happens, or about cause and effect, even though we are often also interested in normative questions about right and wrong
Variable
An element or factor that is likely to change, or vary, from case to case
Concept
An idea comparativists use to think about the processes we study
How are "good" concepts?
Clear, coherent, consistent, and useful
Normative
Concerned with specifying which sort of practice or institution is morally or ethically justified
What are most causes?
Contributory or partial conditions
Variation
Difference between cases in any given study of comparative politics
Empirical
Drawn from observations of the world
What does comparative politics heavily rely on?
Facts and evidence to support arguments about cause and effect
Most Similar Systems
Find two cases that differ in that one has the effect and the other doesn't. If there is only one factor on which they differ, that is the likely cause. A+B+C=Event, A+B=No Event ———> Therefore, C causes the event
Most Different Systems
Find very different cases in which the effect has occurred. Determine if there is only one thing that they have in common. If there is, that is the likely cause. A+B+C=Event, C+D+E=Same Event ———> Therefore, C produces the event
What are two practical examples of most similar systems?
Ghana and Togo
Case
In comparative analysis, a unit or example of a phenomenon to be studied
Dependent Variable
In hypothesis testing, the effect or outcome that we expect to be acted on (or have its value altered) by the independent variable
Independent Variable
In hypothesis testing, the one that we expect to "act on" or change the value of the dependent variable
What does good comparative study require?
More than just brief examination of similar and different variables; it often involves further examination through steps such as comparative checking and within-case comparison
Are most causes either necessary, sufficient, or neither?
Neither
What does research in comparative politics address?
Questions on such major issues as economic development, political regimes and institutions, and a range of social outcomes
What are two practical examples of most different systems?
The French and Chinese Revolutions
Within-Case Comparison
The comparative analysis of variation that takes place over time or in distinct parts of a single case
Conceptualization
The deliberate process through which we create and select social-scientific concepts
Satori's Ladder of Abstraction
The idea that we can organize concepts on the basis of their specificity or generality
Level of Analysis
The level (i.e. individual, organizational, societal) at which observations are made, or at which casual processes operate
What do two approaches to comparison involve?
The most-similar-systems design and the most-different-systems design, both of which examine variations and similarities between cases to assist in testing hypotheses
Argument
The placement of evidence in logical form in support of a position or claim
Comparative Checking
The process of testing the conclusions from a set of comparisons against additional cases or evidence
Operationalization
The process through which we make a concept measurable
Generalizability
The quality that a given theory, hypothesis, or finding has of being applicable to a wide number of cases
Comparative Politics
The subfield of political science that aims to analyze multiple cases using the comparative method
What is one of the main empirical approaches?
The use of case studies and comparisons between cases
What must social scientists often do?
Their own conceptualization, or develop their own concepts, and must operationalize their concepts to enable measurement
Why are variables important?
They are features that vary from one case to another and enable comparison between cases
What are concepts used to do?
They are the ideas we use to categorize the world and enable us to measure and compare observations
Outcome
Typically used as a synonym for "effect"; something that is produced or changed in any social or political process
What is important to note about the study of politics?
While it aspires to scientific conclusions, it is rarely able to provide its conclusions with absolute certainty