Questions and Answers
The future actions of individuals in politics will not be influenced by their current learnings.
False
Behaviorialism focuses on qualitative methods to study electoral results.
False
The goal of comparative politics is to identify value sets that influence political stability.
True
Increasingly, the Winds of Change in comparative politics are influenced by a single direction as previously predicted.
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The North and South Winds are the only influences recognized in contemporary comparative politics.
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Methodological orthodoxy in comparative politics only stems from neo-liberalism.
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The future of comparative politics is expected to diverge from individualist, rational choice assumptions.
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Chinese political scientists are anticipated to outnumber American political scientists in the near future.
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The future of comparative politics is predicted to remain the same as it has been in the past.
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The research in comparative politics aims to maintain a balance between 'lumping' and 'splitting'.
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Collective identities and cultural values are considered irrelevant in the study of political outcomes.
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American political scientists have sought to emulate the economic profession in their quest for greater academic status.
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Machiavelli's concepts of 'fortuna' and 'virtu' are considered outdated in modern political science.
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A rise in the number of polities post-Cold War is attributed to the collapse of the Soviet Empire.
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There is no concern about the potential pitfalls in selecting cases based on certain variables.
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Future research in comparative politics will focus on internal factors only.
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The phrase 'ceteris paribus' refers to considering all things being equal.
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Comparative politics is solely focused on democratic regimes and ignores autocratic systems.
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Comparative politics will not need to change its presuppositions to secure a promising future.
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The future of comparative politics may require engagement of scholars from both the South and East.
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The term 'per genus et differentiam' describes a method of distinguishing features of a category.
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Comparative politics only uses classification systems derived from Western political thought.
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The shift in comparative politics perspectives is toward understanding a variety of regime types.
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The future of comparative politics is uncertain and lacks optimism.
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Study Notes
Comparative Politics: Overview
- Comparative Politics (C.P.) is a sub-discipline of political science focusing on comparing political systems and behavior across different countries and regions.
- The analytical method of comparison benefits from classification systems and the Latin expression "ceteris paribus," meaning "all other things being equal."
Current Trends and Optimism in Comparative Politics
- Globalization influences C.P. by increasing participation from scholars in the Global South and East.
- Scholars categorize political systems into generic categories and further classify them into subtypes, enhancing analytical precision.
- Future C.P. research will require adjustment of some presuppositions while retaining core practices, acknowledging the complexity of political identities.
Key Components of Future C.P. Research
- Essential to ensure adequate freedom between independent and dependent variables to avoid misinterpretation of data.
- Awareness of contextual factors impacting political outcomes, including cultural values, citizen attitudes, external pressures, and historical narratives.
- Emphasis on the importance of both "lumping" and "splitting" categories in analyses for nuanced understanding.
Evolution of Research Approaches
- The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Empire led to an increase in the number of independent political entities to study.
- American political scientists sought to imitate the successful methods of economics, leading towards more formal modeling and theoretical foundations.
- A burgeoning number of comparativists are emerging from diverse global backgrounds, adapting to the discipline's evolving landscape.
Behavioralism and Aggregate Data Analysis
- Behavioralism focused on mass surveys to identify social bases of electoral behavior, categorized value sets as either "bourgeois/materialist" or "post-bourgeois/post-materialist."
- Aggregate Data Analysis parallels behavioralism, focusing on quantitative measures such as economic development and social structures.
- The predictability of political winds is diminishing, with influences now arising from both Eastern and Western perspectives in unpredictable ways.
Central Assumptions and Future Directions
- An identified challenge facing C.P. is the need to diverge from traditional rational choice assumptions towards innovative frameworks.
- The field should remain adaptable as political science methodologies and innovations continue to evolve in response to changing global dynamics.
- Future C.P. research may defy past trends, emphasizing the need for contemporary approaches to understand complex political scenarios globally.
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Description
This quiz explores the key concepts and trends in Comparative Politics, a vital area of political science. It highlights the importance of globalization, classification systems, and the analytical methods used to compare political systems across different countries and regions. Test your understanding of future research directions and the complexities involved in political identities.
