Week 1 (Introduction) Flashcards
What is comparative politics?
The sub-field of political science that deals with intra-national, empirical political phenomena
Comparative politics focuses on the political dynamics within states rather than between them.
How does comparative politics differ from international relations (IR)?
IR = between states; CP = within states
This distinction highlights the scope of study in each field.
What is the purpose of comparing domestic politics?
- To build better theories by comparing cases and testing hypotheses
- To better predict political change
- To understand one’s own political system
These purposes emphasize the practical applications of comparative analysis.
How are questions formed in comparative politics?
Empirical, causal (not descriptive)
Empirical questions focus on observable phenomena rather than normative ideals.
What is a causal question example in comparative politics?
‘Why was Macron elected president in 2017?’
This type of question seeks to understand the underlying causes of events.
What is the difference between descriptive and causal questions?
- Descriptive = who/what/where/when
- Causal = why or what are the consequences
Understanding this distinction is crucial for formulating effective research questions.
What are concepts in comparative politics?
Abstract, theoretical generalisations used to describe and categorise empirical processes
Concepts serve as tools for empirical analysis in political science.
What is conceptualisation?
- Selecting and defining of concepts
- Creating new concepts or improving existing definitions
This process is essential for clarity and precision in political analysis.
What makes a good concept?
- Distinguishable
- Categorisable (eg the concept ‘democracy’ can be categorised as ‘liberal democracy’ or ‘deliberative democracy’)
- Travelable (applicable across time and space)
What does operationalisation refer to?
The process by which concepts are made measurable (eg how to tell if a regime is democratic)
Operationalisation allows researchers to quantify concepts for analysis.
What is a case?
Units of analysis; examples of a phenomenon to be studied and compared.
Could be states, but could also be specific time periods, events, movements, institutions, ideologies, sub-state units, etc.
What is the appropriate use of ‘small-n’ cases?
In-depth, qualitative studies
Small-n cases allow for detailed exploration of fewer instances.
What type of studies are ‘large-n’ cases appropriate for?
Quantitative, statistical studies
Large-n cases enable broader generalizations through statistical analysis.
What are cross-sectional and longitudinal case studies?
- Cross-sectional - considers multiple case studies (at same point in time)
- Longitudinal - considers a single case study over time
