COMPARATIVE METHODS:

Theory andJONATHAN
Methods
HOPKIN in Political
Science

PURPOSES:
It makes the researcher aware of unexpected differences or
similarities between cases.
It brings a sense of perspective to a familiar environment
and discourages parochial responses to political issues.
It provides valuable opportunities for policy learning and
exposure to new ideas and perspectives.
It enables the researcher to assess whether a particular
political phenomenon is simply a local issue or is a general
trend.
It helps developing, testing and refining theory.

MAIN METHODS
1.The Quantitative Comparative Method
2.The Qualitative Comparative Method

AIM OF QUANTITATIVE
COMPARATIVE WORK
To make imaginative use of observations of the
state of the world as it is if theories are to be
subjected to empirical control.
To highlights the different ways in which political
scientists can confront the problem of how best to
test theories in the absence of our own
laboratory.
To assess validity of our interpretations of specific
or even unique political phenomena.

Basic Forms

of
Comparative explanation

1. The method of
difference
This method involves studying two
cases that are very similar but varies
only with the variables that are being
studied

2. The method of
agreement
This method is basically the opposite
of the former. It involves two cases
that are different in every aspect
except the variables being studied.

3. The method of
concomitant
variables
This method seeks to identify
variables that tens to move in the
direction of the other.

PROBLEM: establishing the effect of commercial protectionism

on National Prosperity

Method of
Difference

Method of
Agreement

Method of
Concomitant
Variables

Two cases: same in

all respects except
on is a rich and
has protective
tariffs and the other
is poor and
exposed free
trade.

Two cases: both are

rich countries and
has protected tariffs
but are different in
all aspects.

If the case of the

country that is poor and
has exposed free trade
tends to close its
borders to trade and
gains economically
ergo trade openness
has an effect in
national prosperity

PROBLEMS

with this typology of comparative methods

1.

The search for

more
cases to study

PRZEWORSKI AND TEUNE

SOLUTIONS

2.

The use of the

most different
systems

PRZEWORSKI AND TEUNE

SOLUTIONS