PO101 2

Question 1

Research questions in comparative politics

Answer 1

seeks to construct arguments based on evidence to support cause and effect.Researchers aim to answer and explain questions on political phenomena by comparing them with different countries

Question 2

Major question in comparative politics

Answer 2

Why are some countries democratic and some aren’t, why are some people wealth and why are not, why do countries have different forms of government

Question 3

Empirical vs Normative arguments

Answer 3

Empirical aims to explain why the political world operates rather than a normative judgement on how it should operate.

Question 4

Objectives of comparatives

Answer 4

they aim and try to explain political outcomes such as democracy and authoritarian and identify the causes . They might have string options but still focus on explaining and understanding rather than given an option based answer

Question 5

The role of concepts

Answer 5

Concepts are abstract ideas used to ask and answer questions about the social and political world they should be clear coherent , logically consists and useful for research

Question 6

Satori’s ladder of abstraction

Answer 6

concepts vary from specific to general ideas d researches place concepts on the ladder based by search on case

Question 7

The concept of freedom

Answer 7

The concepts of freedom is discussed as an example of complex and multifaceted concept that has multiple interpretation .

Question 8

Operationalization

Answer 8

Researches must make concepts measurable to determine their presence and quantity within a case

Question 9

Answer research questions

Answer 9

aims to answer questions by combing empirical evidence and theory by using evidence and facts too support a hypotheses.

Question 10

Challenges in Social science

Answer 10

faces causality due to how complex the modern world is and how many factors influence political life

Question 11

Laws vs theory

Answer 11

Social scientist usually rely on theories rather than universal law the strength of a theory is evaluated based on their ability to provide a powerful explanation.

Question 12

Scientic interference

Answer 12

they interfere by using quantitive and qualitative research method

Question 13

Contribution to comparative work

Answer 13

Contributes knowledge though, refining ides , therortical critique and empirical analysis

Question 14

The roles of theories

Answer 14

Theories are general explanations of empirical phenomena supported by facts and evidence to aim to explain how the world works

Question 15

Hypotheses testing

Answer 15

when the hypotheses is tested by data and examine specific observations in th case they can be challenged or supported by evidence

Question 16

Evolution of theories

Answer 16

theories may evolve and change overtime due t new evidence . competing theories can coexist however evidence can be support or contract each theory.

Question 17

Social science theories casualty

Answer 17

cause and effect is a general pattern rather than an absolute law .

Question 18

Types of Evidence

Answer 18

uses both quantitive which is details on historic events as well as qualitive which focuses on statics and data for interference between cause and effect

Question 19

What is Quantative research used for

Answer 19

Used for empirical claims and general associations

Question 20

What is Qualitative research used for

Answer 20

used for case-specific mechanisms

Question 21

Why does comparative politics involve

Answer 21

examines cause and effect relationship between variables and cases and correlation measures the association between the variable (link)

Question 22

Problems with casual arguments

Answer 22

endogeneity, committed variables and spurious correlations

Question 23

Endogeneity

Answer 23

Involves historical events

Question 24

Omitted Variables

Answer 24

Involve statistical methods

Question 25

Spurious Correlations

Answer 25

May result with a coincidence or omitted factors

Question 26

Empirical critiques

Answer 26

Involves examining deviated theories driving advance in social science which proposes new ides or improvements to existing theories Ghana challenges modernization theory because It highlights the importance of empirical critiques

Question 27

Gathering and using evidence

Answer 27

It involves careful measurement to avoid bias or error because researches should acknowledge potential bias in their own work .The example of Miguel Angel centeno on nationalism shows the challenges that comes with measurement and an emphasis on validity and measurement

Question 28

How did max weber define the that

Answer 28

As a monopoly of legitimate use of physical force within a given territory

Question 29

Modern state

Answer 29

is contrasted with historical systems such as feudalism in Europe as it concentrates power, maintain monopoly on force and provide public service

Question 30

State capacity

Answer 30

refers to the states abilities to achieve its goals and maintain monopoly of force , functioning bureaucracy and uphold the rule of law

Question 31

Fragile staus

Answer 31

Is when a states does not have the capacity to perform the sessional function leading to changes in providing public space ,maintaining monopoly.

Question 32

The states- society relationship

Answer 32

the state is partially autonomous from society but does engage in relationship with other actors including civil society

Question 33

Strong states and democracy

Answer 33

the relationship is debated wth a strong democratic sates being some autonomous from civil society

Question 34

Bureaucracy

Answer 34

aims for efficiency , rationality in coordinating actions and managing public squares

Question 35

Impersonality

Answer 35

Modern states are seen as impersonal entities and not associated by individual leader

Question 36

Sovereignty

Answer 36

States experts power and control over the defined territory and maintain authority often through international recognition

Question 37

Traditional functions of a state

Answer 37

defense, policing, taxation, order, administration within state

Question 38

Political and economic theories

Answer 38

explained by multiple theories related to war and conflict, internal mitigation and interests in specific economy