Comparative Politics - Why Study

Political Science Subfields

  • Political science is a social science that studies political behavior and institutions.
  • Four major subfields:
    • Comparative Politics
    • American Politics
    • International Relations
    • Political Theory/Philosophy

Comparative Politics

  • Studies political behaviors and institutions by comparing multiple countries.
  • Can include the study of political behavior/institutions within a single country.
  • American politics can be considered part of comparative politics.

American Politics

  • Studies political behavior and institutions within the United States.
  • Often considered an independent field due to the extensive research and focus on the US.

International Relations

  • Studies relationships between countries.

Political Theory/Philosophy

  • Focuses on what politics should be (normative) rather than what it is (empirical).
  • Studies philosophical origins of politics, state, government, fairness, equality, authority, etc.

Research Methods

  • Crucial for studying political science regardless of subfield.
  • Influences all subfields.

Empirical vs. Normative Research

  • Empirical research: Focuses on what is.
  • Normative research: Focuses on what should be.
  • Comparative politics, American politics, and international relations primarily use empirical methods.
  • Political theory uses normative methods.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Methods

  • Qualitative: Analyzes the quality of research subjects (e.g., history, culture).
  • Quantitative: Uses quantified data (e.g., economic indicators).

Political Economy, Public Policy, and Political Psychology

  • Traditionally considered important topics within subfields rather than subfields themselves.
  • Can be studied within the context of comparative politics or international relations.

What Comparative Politics Studies

  • Asks questions about social, political, cultural, and economic circumstances and outcomes across countries.
  • Examples:
    • Why are some countries democratic, while others are not?
    • Why are some countries politically stable?
    • Why are some countries richer?

Comparative Politics vs. International Relations

  • Distinction is blurring due to globalization.
  • Comparative politics: Focuses on what happens within countries.
  • International relations: Focuses on what happens between countries.

Definitions of Comparative Politics

  • Definition 1: Field of study comparing political systems, institutions, characteristics, and outcomes in one or more countries. This definition allows for single-country studies.
  • Definition 2: Systematic study and comparison of the world's political systems to explain differences and similarities. This definition emphasizes cross-national studies.

History of Comparative Politics

  • Cross-national studies became popular after the behavioral revolution in the 1950s.
  • Shift from studying institutions to using quantitative measures and surveys.
  • Political science aimed to become more scientific.

Institutions and Behaviors

  • Two main research subjects in comparative politics.
  • Institutions: Beliefs, norms, and organizations that structure social and political life.

Types of Institutions

  • Formal Institutions: Based on clear, formalized rules (e.g., laws, constitutions).
  • Informal Institutions: Based on unwritten rules, norms, beliefs, or customs.
  • Political Institutions: Spaces where political decisions take place (can be formal or informal).

Sovereignty

  • Fundamental governmental power to coerce individuals to do things they may not want to do.

How Comparativists Study Institutions

  • Step 1: Pick a topic/research question (e.g., What affects executive power in democracies?).
  • Step 2: Select cases (countries).
  • Step 3: Analyze and compare cases to find general patterns.
  • Example Conclusion: Presidential systems have stronger executive power than parliamentary systems.

Subnational Studies

  • Comparison of subnational governments within countries.

Types of Subnational Governments

  • Federal: Sovereignty shared between national and subnational governments (e.g., United States).
  • Unitary: Power concentrated at the national level (e.g., France, South Korea).
  • Confederal: Most sovereignty at the subnational level (e.g., Switzerland).

Within-Nation vs. Between-Nation Comparisons

  • Within-Nation: Comparing subnational units within a country (e.g., COVID policies in US states).
  • Between-Nation: Comparing subnational units across multiple countries (e.g., ethnic groups' COVID policies in African countries).

Area Studies

  • Multidisciplinary social research focusing on specific geographic regions or culturally defined areas.
  • Broader than comparative politics; includes culture, language, history, etc.
  • Examples: Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, African Studies.

Course Content Overview

  • Part 1: Institutions and Institutional Change (regime types, democracy).
  • Part 2: Political Economy and Behaviors (social movements, public opinion, political violence).

Excluded Topics

  • Political Identity (covered well in American politics).