POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Topic: Introduction to Comparative Politics and Comparative Analysis Lecture Date: March 28, 2007 Professor Timothy Lim California State University, Los Angeles Topic: Introduction to Comparative Politics and Comparative Analysis Lecture Date: March 28, 2007 Professor Timothy Lim California State University, Los Angeles

2 Studying Comparative Politics An Introduction Let’s Begin with Some Questions …  Why are there so many homicides in the United States?  Why do so many peoples and countries around the world remained mired in poverty and economic misery? Conversely, how have some peoples and countries been able to become “rich” and prosperous in only a generation or two?  How do social movements, such as the Civil Rights Movements in the United States, emerge and why do some succeed, while others fail? Let’s Begin with Some Questions …  Why are there so many homicides in the United States?  Why do so many peoples and countries around the world remained mired in poverty and economic misery? Conversely, how have some peoples and countries been able to become “rich” and prosperous in only a generation or two?  How do social movements, such as the Civil Rights Movements in the United States, emerge and why do some succeed, while others fail?

3 Studying Comparative Politics An Introduction Let’s Begin with Some Questions …  Can the United States successfully impose democracy on Iraq or other countries? Or, are all such efforts doomed to failure?  What are the causes of “terrorism” and other forms of political violence? Is anyone capable of becoming a terrorist?  What are the reasons for the relatively poor math and science skills of American teenagers? Let’s Begin with Some Questions …  Can the United States successfully impose democracy on Iraq or other countries? Or, are all such efforts doomed to failure?  What are the causes of “terrorism” and other forms of political violence? Is anyone capable of becoming a terrorist?  What are the reasons for the relatively poor math and science skills of American teenagers? So, what are your answers? Let’s discuss. (Refer to p. 3 in the book for a list of the questions) So, what are your answers? Let’s discuss. (Refer to p. 3 in the book for a list of the questions)

4 Studying Comparative Politics An Introduction One More Question …  We all have “answers,” at least tentative ones, but this leads to another, more fundamental question … One More Question …  We all have “answers,” at least tentative ones, but this leads to another, more fundamental question … How do you know if you’re right? DiscussDiscuss

5 Studying Comparative Politics An Introduction How Do You Know If You’re Right?  Short answer: We have to be able to “test” the argument in some manner  In the natural sciences, this testing is often (though not always) done through experimentation (or the experimental method), that is, the creation of carefully controlled conditions in which certain variables can controlled for in order to isolate others  In the social sciences, “testing” is often done indirectly through comparative analysis or the comparative method How Do You Know If You’re Right?  Short answer: We have to be able to “test” the argument in some manner  In the natural sciences, this testing is often (though not always) done through experimentation (or the experimental method), that is, the creation of carefully controlled conditions in which certain variables can controlled for in order to isolate others  In the social sciences, “testing” is often done indirectly through comparative analysis or the comparative method more

6 Studying Comparative Politics An Introduction How Do You Know if You’re Right?  The experimental method and the comparative method are two different types of methodologies (there are others, including the statistical method)  In the sciences--social or natural-- method or methodology (and the theory and evidence that underlies it) is crucial: without it, science isn’t science How Do You Know if You’re Right?  The experimental method and the comparative method are two different types of methodologies (there are others, including the statistical method)  In the sciences--social or natural-- method or methodology (and the theory and evidence that underlies it) is crucial: without it, science isn’t science This figure illustrates the scientific method in the natural sciences; in the social sciences, the procedure is similar, except that comparative analysis or another type of method is used in place of “experimentation”

7 Studying Comparative Politics An Introduction How Do You Know if You’re Right?  To better understand the significance and utility of methodology, and the comparative method in particular, let’s turn to a concrete, albeit unconventional (and controversial) example … Michael Moore’s argument in Bowling for Columbine How Do You Know if You’re Right?  To better understand the significance and utility of methodology, and the comparative method in particular, let’s turn to a concrete, albeit unconventional (and controversial) example … Michael Moore’s argument in Bowling for Columbine

8 Studying Comparative Politics An Introduction Bowling for Columbine and Comparative Politics  Bowling for Columbine helps illustrate the point that comparative politics, as a field of study, has relevance in unexpected places  Comparative politics provides us with a ready array of conceptual and analytical tools that we can use to address and answer a wide range of questions--from the mundane to the sublime--about the world Bowling for Columbine and Comparative Politics  Bowling for Columbine helps illustrate the point that comparative politics, as a field of study, has relevance in unexpected places  Comparative politics provides us with a ready array of conceptual and analytical tools that we can use to address and answer a wide range of questions--from the mundane to the sublime--about the world