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