Comparative Politics Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of a concept in theoretical formulation?

  • It captures an idea that is usually not tangible. (correct)
  • It can be defined through empirical evidence.
  • It requires an established methodology to be valid.
  • It is always easily measurable.

    • How does theory contribute to the study of relations between concepts?

  • It establishes a framework for understanding connections. (correct)
  • It disregards the importance of empirical evidence.
  • It focuses solely on quantifiable data.
  • It simplifies complex ideas into singular claims.

    • What is the start point of testing hypotheses in a research methodology?

  • Collecting data without establishing a hypothesis.
  • Applying theoretical knowledge to empirical situations. (correct)
  • Gathering anecdotal evidence from case studies.
  • Formulating generalized conclusions without measurement.

    • What type of questions do comparative politics seek to address?

    <p>Questions that explore broader relationships and contexts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does conceptualization play in forming a thesis?

    <p>It emphasizes clarity and precision in ideas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of comparative politics?

    <p>To demonstrate causation and/or meaning about political phenomena</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is emphasized as essential for understanding complex political concepts?

    <p>Establishing understanding through comparison and relative terms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes qualitative understanding in comparative politics?

    <p>It engages deeply with a single case for interpretation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is suggested about the nature of comparative politics as a field of study?

    <p>It is a younger discipline with Western-centric elements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can old questions be reframed in the context of comparative politics?

    <p>By applying pre-existing questions to a new context, like post-COVID scenarios</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What signifies the importance of relative terms in comparative political analysis?

    <p>They provide essential context that helps in establishing meaning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the initial step in conducting a comparative study in political science?

    <p>Observation and question formation based on research</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to understand causal relationships in comparative politics?

    <p>To explore how and why specific outcomes occur in political contexts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of question is best suited for small single case studies?

    <p>How</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of variable directly influences the dependent variable?

    <p>Independent Variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the observed relationship where both variables change simultaneously, but one does not cause the other?

    <p>Correlation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept helps in organizing and understanding various phenomena in Comparative Politics?

    <p>Concepts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What problem arises when two variables mutually influence each other, complicating cause and effect relationships?

    <p>Endogeneity Problem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process involves making a concept observable through the assignment of empirical features?

    <p>Operationalization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What misconception might arise when discussing the relationship between democratization and economic growth?

    <p>There is no clear causal relationship.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of condition involves a variable that is necessary for a desired outcome, but not sufficient on its own?

    <p>Necessary Condition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the systematic observation and analysis of political phenomena within specific contexts?

    <p>Case Study Analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an intervening variable in a causal relationship?

    <p>Lack of Nutrition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of 'conceptual stretching' refer to?

    <p>Applying concepts to different situations carelessly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which subfield of political science focuses primarily on the methodology of analyzing political phenomena?

    <p>Comparative Politics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can lead to reverse causality in political analysis?

    <p>Increased economic growth leads to more stable democracy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Comparative Politics, what is a key reason to avoid leading questions?

    <p>They restrict the scope of inquiry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Logic of Comparison

    • Comparison helps us understand and explain complex political world
    • Understanding how political events are connected and how causes influence outcomes
    • Key concept of comparative politics is systematically comparing political cases, variables, and meanings
    • Emphasises generalisations and extending ideas beyond specific cases

    The Study of Comparative Politics

    • Primary sub-field of political science
    • Young and western-centric discipline
    • Focuses on establishing arguments around causation and/or meaning of political phenomena
    • Aim is to demonstrate causation in political science

    Questions of Comparative Politics: Asking When, Where, and How?

    • Goes beyond basic descriptive questions like "when", "where", and "who"
    • Focuses on "what", "why", and "how" questions
    • "What" and "why" questions can be answered using quantitative analysis, but small single case studies best answer "how" questions
    • Emphasis on open-ended questions to avoid leading questions and assumptions
    • Tentative findings are essential for analysis.

    Issues of Focus in Comparative Politics

    • Regime types, government institutions, processes, and policies
    • State-market-society relations
    • Economic outcomes
    • Identity politics, ideology, human rights, contentious politics, and international relations
    • Growing area of study is ideational factors

    Key Tools for Comparative Politics:

    • Concepts: Abstract ideas used to understand, organize, and think about the world
    • Conceptualisation: Process of creating a concept
    • Indicators: Empirical features to indicate unobservable concepts.
    • Operationalisation: Process of making concept observable through indicator assignment

    Concepts

    • Range from general to specific
    • Organised using conceptual ladders, such as Giovanni Sartori's ladder of abstraction.
    • Provides a hierarchy of concepts, starting broad and becoming more distinctive
    • Aim is to create concepts that travel beyond one situation to maintain relevancy

    Variables: The Causes and Outcomes

    • Synonymous with factors
    • Independent Variable (X): The cause
    • Dependent Variable (Y): The effect or outcome
    • Focuses on variation and similarities between causes

    Variation and Causality vs Correlation

    • Variation describes differences between cases
    • Correlation describes non-causal relationships where variables change together but might not be connected.
    • Rare to demonstrate causality compared to correlation
    • Causality is a holy grail in political science but can be difficult to achieve and requires careful analysis.

    Key Tools for Comparative Politics:

    • Case: A basic unit of analysis
    • Small N studies: Single case studies
    • Large N studies: Cases with multiple observations
    • Level of analysis: Individual, institutional, societal, and international levels of observation and comparison.

    Diffusion Theory and Domino Theory

    • Diffusion theory: Spread of something within geographically specific regions
    • Domino theory: Events in one place are more likely to occur in similar circumstances in other locations
    • Requires careful consideration of factors for understanding these theories.

    Counter Factualist

    • Comparison of a situation with what would have happened if something different had occurred
    • Used by many political scientists
    • Avoid using counterfactuals in papers reviewed by Mark Machacek

    Re-Politicization of Traditional Authority

    • Use single case studies to understand re-politicization of traditional authority
    • Findings are applied to develop broader theories across concepts

    Coup Belt in West Africa

    • Started in 2020 with a wave of coups
    • Definition of a Coup: Extrajudicial takeover of power, usually illegal and unconstitutional by military or civilian interest groups.
    • Began in Mali and spread to other countries like Guinea, Burkina Faso.

    Subfields of Political Science

    • Comparative politics, political philosophy, and international relations

    • Comparative politics is a methodology for political science.

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    Description

    Explore the fundamental principles of comparative politics, including the significance of comparison in understanding political events and phenomena. This quiz emphasizes key concepts such as causation, systematic comparison, and the evolution of questions within the discipline. Test your knowledge on the methodologies and frameworks that shape this essential sub-field of political science.

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