POL218Y5 : POL218 – INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS CHAPTER SUMMARIES.docx
Document Summary
Comparative politics is the last of the other three major scientific methods used to understand the world. The other three are case study, experiment, and statistical information. The comparative method allows one to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between varieties of states. It is a very broad discipline in that it also includes comparative foreign policy (combining international relations with. Comparative politics is also based on theory, ideologies, normative studies, and philosophy. Furthermore, it is also based on empirical research and analysis, and it also compares and contrasts contemporary political institutions. The analytical aspect of comparative politics is that it focuses on what is different about countries and states. A state is essentially a collection of institution, concrete and abstract, real and metaphysical. A state includes elements of society, government, traditions, norms, and values that are all shared by many different states. Sovereignty and suzerainty are also disputed leading to a clash of many interests, war, and confusion.
