Comparative Politics

Comparative Politics (sig & ex)

*Significance*: In order to better understand human behavior, we need to examine different cases, examples, and situations in order to draw general conclusions about what drives people to act the way they do. While we can study government and political processes in isolation, we cannot hope to fully comprehend them, or be sure to have considered all explanatory options without comparison. By looking across place and time we can build the context to gain a broader and more complex understanding. As well, the study of comparative politics helps to predict political outcomes, and broadens our understanding of the political world. *Example*: British government ministers have a bad record in negotiating with EU partners, because they assume the aggressive tone they adopt in the chamber of the House of Commons will work as well in Brussels meeting rooms. This assumption reflects ignorance of the consensual political style found in many continental European democracies.

Deviant Case Study

Definition: A case study in which the country and topic chosen was chosen explicitly because the country is atypical, defies existing norms and doesn't fit into any existing theories. Significance: Deviant cases are often used to tidy up our understanding of exceptions and anomalies. These provide a contrast with the norm, enhancing our understanding of representative examples. To perfect or rethink existing theories. Example: China is not a democracy, but is economically successful. This defies the theory that to be economically successful, a state must be democratic. Why?

Exemplary Case Study

Definition: Exemplary cases are the archetypes that are considered to have generated the category of which they are taken as representative. While an exemplar is often defined as a case to be emulated, in research design the term refers more neutrally to an influential example which illustrates features of a phenomenon. An exemplary case is often, but need not be, prototypical. Significance: Used to gain insight into systems influenced by the dominant norm (ex. US presidency illustrates the presidential system of government and has influenced later political systems, notably in Latin America.) Exemplary case study also serves as the model for emulating not only for scholars in conducting future research but for other countries too.

Most different/most similar comparisons

Definition: Most similar - a research design based on using cases that are as similar as possible, in effect controlling for the similarities and isolating the causes of differences. Most different - a research design based on using cases that are as different as possible, in effect controlling for the differences and isolating the causes of similarities. Significance: We seek to test a relationship between two factors by discovering whether it can be observed in a range of countries with contrasting histories, cultures, and so on. If so, our confidence that the relationship is real, and not due to the dependence of both factors on an unmeasured third variable, will increase. Example:MD: Theda Skocpol's historical analysis by Theda Skocpol of revolutions in France, Russia and China. These 3 cases had very different political economic and social systems. She concluded that regimes which were internationally weak and domestically ineffective became vulnerable to insurrection when well-organized agitators succeeded in exploiting peasant frustration with an old order to which the landed aristocracy offered only limited support.

Critical Case Study

Definition: The critical (or crucial) case study is sometimes commended, but less often used, in comparative politics. The idea here is that if a proposition can be shown to work when conditions are least favorable for its validity, it is likely to be valid in all other circumstances as well. Significance: If the proposition is true in this unlikely case, it will likely be true in all cases. If democracies are now consolidating in countries which have no previous experience of that form of rule we can be sure that the modern move toward democracy is significant. Alternatively, a proposition which fails to work even in the most favorable conditions can quickly be dismissed. By studying one country, we can generalize to others. Example: Promoting democracy in Afghanistan.

Prototypical Case Study

Definition: a prototypical case study is chosen not because it is representative but because it is expected to become so - "their present is our future" To justify the country you are looking at by the innovative way of their politics. Expected be the norm. Shows a new way of politics and other countries want to emulate. Not yet typical. Significance: Studying an early example may help us to understand a phenomenon of growing significance. The point here is that studying a pioneer can help us understand a phenomenon which is growing in significance elsewhere. Could be emulated in the future by other countries. Example: Sophisticated use of the internet in US election campaigns.

Case Study

Definition: a research method involving the detailed study of a particular object (a person, institution, country, phenomenon, etc.) as well the context within it exists. Usually in a single country. Can be *representative*, *prototypical*, *deviant*, *exemplary* or *critical*. Significance: Case studies are the building block for formulating theories and ideas in comparative politics.This is an important aspect of an implicit comparison as it highlights a topic in one state that can contribute to the conversation being held between such state and another. A case study adds value by offering a detailed illustration of a theme of wider interest.

Comparative Politics (def)

Definition: comparative politics involves the systematic study of the institutions, character, and performance of government, and political processes in different societies.

Comparative Methodology

Definition: comparing a small number of cases in order to better understand their qualities, and to develop and investigate hypotheses, theories, and concepts. Significance: can be compared to the experimental method (control groups and variables) and the statistical method (determining relationships between data sets). Example: 3 options: case study method, the qualitative method, and the quantitative method.

Field Research

Definition: the collection of research outside of a laboratory or workplace, in the setting of the study. Significance: More intimate understanding of each individual country in order to build up a cumulative understand of the larger political framework of a specific country. Some argue that the study of politics is unavoidably comparative. Example: Travelling to a country to understand its government, for example, travelling to Iran to study a theocratic government.

Representative Case Study

Definition: the most common type of case study - the study of a typical, standard example of a wider category. Significance: A collection of representative case studies can go on to provide the raw material for comparative generalization by other scholars taking a wider approach. To contribute to the broader body of knowledge on the topic. Comparison is implicit. Example: Poland's transition from communism.

Explicit/implicit comparisons

Definition:Implicit = A comparison is implicit, meaning that it is not directly affecting what is being compared. Implicit comparisons examine the perceived strengths and weaknesses of an individual political system. Implicit is the case study, implicit because it is engaging in the conversation without actually saying so. Definition: Explicit = A direct comparison between two things. For instance a comparison on time periods, countries or ideologies. Explicit We are comparing something, it is obvious. Significance: implicit allows for depth of research as the scholar does not have to be spread too thin - they can focus on one topic & one country - then all future analysis can be left to other scholars.