week 2 - comparative politics Flashcards
Howard Wiarda
- Comparative politics is the systematic comparative study of the worlds political systems
Eckstein
- comparison in the social sciences is the substitute for experimentation in the natural sciences
Lijphart - experimental, statistical, comparative
- experimental: unit homogeneity, more similar cases less likely factors influencing the relationship between X and Y, random assignment, control of treatment
- statistical: partial correlation (regression analysis to control for other possible explanatory variables), random sampling
- comparative: structured study of similarities and differences across carefully selected cases
- case study: detailed case investigation, at least implicitly comparative
Two ways of structuring comparisons
- Most similar systems design (method of difference)
2. Most different systems design (method of agreement)
- Most similar systems design
- different outcome: Y and Not Y (dependent variable)
- common systemic features permit the isolation of that which separates the cases (independent variable)
- covariation of independent and dependent variables
- distinguishing feature that must be explanatory - must come with a compelling causal story
- ex. One outcome is different
- Most different systems design
Countries that are substantially different
- common outcome Y (case 1) and y (case 2)
- different systemic features permit the isolation of that which unites the cases
- establishing covariation between independent variables and outcome
- this factor must be explanatory - must come with a compelling causal story
MSSD Illustration for comparison method #1
E.g. Stathis Kalyvas, the rise of Christian democracy in Europe
- France does not develop a durable Christian Democratic Party
- France does not differ in Catholicism
- but in its level of political instability (sets France apart)
- which prevented the Catholic Church from forming its own competitive Democratic Party
MSSD Illustration for comparison method #2
E.g. Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way, between a shock and a hard place
-  successful implementation of neoliberal adjustment policies in two very different countries in 1990s
- Argentina more successful than surrounding countries, in spite of strong labour movements
- solidarity (polish, union movement) and Peronism (Argentina)
- left party sharing social linkages, mutual trust and identities with labour movements
- Labour left party alliance lasted longer in Argentina, stronger party more incentives for labour leaders
Comparative criticisms
- deterministic in a probabilistic age (if X then Y not common, rather if X then Y #% of the time)
- don’t entirely abandon rejected explanatory factors
- operationalization: abstract phenomena (ex. Democracy) measurement error a problem
- complex causation: multiple causes, interactive effects, too few cases for all the causal combinations
- cases are not sufficiently independent
Is the comparative method the right method?
Choice of method depends on - research question - concept formation - theory Good questions save time, narrowing the research focus and providing direction
Concept formation
- we create concepts
- they should be clear and coherent, and helpful in addressing our research question
- ladder of abstraction: the more abstract, the less grounded in detail
- concept stretching if too abstract
- concepts influence the number of available cases
“Study” - concepts are crucial (Thea Skocpol)
What is a social policy revolution?
- not all forms of contentious collective action (largest set)
- not merely a political revolution (large set)
- but violent political overturn combined with p transformation of economic and social power (small set)
Skocpol aims to generalize, but only based on her limited set of cases: France, Russia, China
What is Theory?
- meaningful statements about the relationship between phenomena (ex. Change in X effects a change in Y)
- captures the way the world works at some level of generality

The role of theory
- source of questions and puzzles, predictions and anomalies (ex. China is becoming a democracy)
- basis for framing concepts (as in Skocpol, ex. Social revolutions)
- Guidance in pursuing research, where to start
- assistance in interpreting findings, drawing implications
“Study” - theoretical approaches
- broad theoretical perspectives, operative a various levels
a) rationality - self interest
b) culture - values, beliefs, ideas
c) socioeconomic structuralism - material conditions shape and interests, constrain actors, with an emphasis on class
d) institutionalism - formal and informal rules shape interests and actions
