Unit 1: Comparative Method

exam review

Politics

The struggle in any group for power that will give one or more

persons the ability to make decisions for the larger group

power

The ability to influence others or impose one’s will on them

comparative method

The means by which social scientists make comparisons across

cases

Inductive reasoning

research that works from case studies in order to generate hypothese

deductive reasoning

research that works from hypothesis that is then tested against data

Correlation

an apparent relationship between two or more variables

casual relationship

cause and effect; when change in one variable causes a change in another variable

multi causality

when variables are interconnected and interact to produce particular outcomes

area studies

a regional focus when studying political science rather than studying parts of the world where similar variables are clustered

selection studies

a focus on effects rather than causes, which can lead to inaccurate conclusions about correlation or causation

dependent variable

a variable whose value changes based on that of another

independent variable

a variable whose value does not depend on that of another

endogeneity

that issue that cause and effect are not often clear, in that variable may be both cause and effect in relationship to one another

theory

an integrated set of hypotheses assumptions, and facts

modernization theory

A theory asserting that societies developed, they would take on a set of common characteristic, including democracy and capitalism

behavioral revolutions

A movement within political science during the 1950s and 1960s to

develop general theories about individual political behavior that

could be applied across all countries

qualitative method

Study through an in-depth investigation of a limited number of

cases

quantitative method

Study through statistical data from many cases

rational choice

Approach that assumes that individuals weigh the costs and benefits

and make choices to maximize their benefits

game theory

An approach that emphasizes how actors or organizations behave in

their goal to influence others; built upon assumptions of rational

choice

freedom

The ability of an individual to act independently, without fear of

restriction or punishment by the state or other individuals or groups

in society

equality

A material standard of living shared by individuals within a community, society, or country

informal institutions

Institutions with unwritten and unofficial rules

institution

An organization or activity that is self-perpetuating and valued for its own sake

formal institutions

Institutions usually based on officially sanctioned rules that are

relatively clear

international relations

A field in political science that concentrates on relations between

countries, such as foreign policy, war, trade, and foreign aid

comparative politics

The study and comparison of domestic politics across countries