Comparative politics is a field of political science that utilizes comparative methods and empirical research to examine politics both within and between countries.
Comparative methods can be an invaluable tool in exploring broader questions about political institutions, behavior and social development. Furthermore, they may allow one to assess how much political stratification influences electoral outcomes.
Definition
Comparative politics is a subfield of political science that explores the differences in political systems, institutions and characteristics across countries. This inquiry relies on comparative method, which involves comparing two or more nations and evaluating one variable across them.
Comparative politics has its roots in Aristotle’s methodology for understanding Greek city-states during his time. Other great political thinkers such as Cicero, Polybius, Machiavelli and Montesquieu further developed and refined this technique over time.
Comparative politics encompasses a wide variety of topics and issues, from economics to civil wars and revolutions. Additionally, scholars may look into international actors such as foreign governments or other non-nation state entities for analysis.
Methods
Comparative politics employs a range of methods. These include statistical and experimental techniques as well as case study analysis.
Comparative politics is essential for comprehending how different political systems function. They provide us with insight into the nuances of democracy and explain why some democracies succeed while others do not.
Field research is an integral part of comparative politics. This involves conducting surveys with local residents and interviewing prominent individuals from both inside and outside government.
Comparing two countries may seem straightforward enough, but studying an entire system of countries presents more complex challenges. A researcher might find it more practical to compare systems of different sizes or those with similar societal characteristics, or focus on one variable that is pertinent to the larger issue at hand.
Areas of Study
Nation-states refer to collective groups of people that share certain historical, linguistic, religious, ethnicity, race, political and economic beliefs and values; as well as (b) a government they recognize as their “own.”
Comparative politics focuses on the study of political institutions and behaviors across countries or, more generally, regions. It examines how these influences and shape social outcomes and, ultimately, affect people’s wellbeing.
Comparative politics offers scholars and students a platform to investigate an array of intriguing questions, from how governments evolve to why some citizens value democracy more than others.
Faculty in comparative politics emphasize empirical research as well. Researchers conduct field work in their chosen countries and collect data through surveys, interviews, and participant observations; they then analyze the outcomes and publish their conclusions.
Discipline
Comparative politics is the study of similarities and differences in political behavior and institutions between countries. It employs various techniques, such as quantitative analysis, to explore how various nations emerge and function.
Comparative politics has its roots in moral philosophy and other fields of thought that seek to understand human nature and the purpose of association. Furthermore, the scientific method of conducting systematic and logical research has had an immense influence on political science.
Comparative research must include field work, or visiting a country to conduct interviews and surveys. This gives researchers firsthand knowledge of social and political institutions in the countries they examine, as well as often giving them access to previously unavailable data.
