1. Many cases, a few cases, single case studies? (Landman)

2. Many Cases quantitative methods The majority of studies that compare many countries use quantitative methods. –“Variable-oriented”: examine the relationship between variables at a global level of analysis. –The more the cases, the stronger the inferences (the more “experimental”) –Helps to identify “deviant” cases. –The qualitative study of many cases is difficult (generally historical, requires a lot of data, and making inferences is more difficult)

3. Disadvantages Availability of data (aggregate data is not very useful... Also, incomplete series) Validity of measures (problematic operationalization of concepts/Too abstract) Skills needed to analyze data

4. A few Cases (or Focused Comparisons) Need of carefully selecting the cases. Intensive, less variable-oriented. Good for theory building Area studies

5. Disadvantages: Less secure inferences Risks of selection bias Need of carrying out fieldwork

6. 2 main approaches (drawn from John Stuart Mill) Area Studies –Most similar systems design (MSSD): seeks to identify key features that are different among similar countries, which account for the observed political outcome. Suited for Area Studies. accross different regions. –Most different systems design (MDSD): comparison of cases that only share a certain political outcome to be explained, and one or two explanatory factors considered crucial to generate the outcome. Comparisons accross different regions.

7. MSSDMDSD C1C2C3C1C2C3 Features aaaadg bbbbeh ccccfi Key explanatory factor xxNot x xxx Outcome to be explained yyNot y yyy

8. Some comparativists combine both... Example: in Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation, Linz & Stepan use MSSD to examine democratic consolidation within regions (South America, Southern Europe, and Eastern Europe), and then use MDSD to compare democratic consolidation across regions.

9. Single Case Studies The study of a single case is considered comparative if it uses or develops concepts applicable to other cases, and/or seeks to make larger inferences. Contextual description = clinical studies in medicine. Ideal to examine “deviant cases,” to generate hypotheses, to develop new classifications. Inferences based upon one case are less secure.

10. Disadvantages Insecure inferences Selection bias Need of carrying out fieldwork

11. What would you try? Qualitative or quantitative? Why? In what circumstances would you choose many cases, a few cases, or single case studies? Why?

12. Policy and Politics in Six Nations Stella Theodoulou

13. How, why, and to what extent do different nations pursue particular policies? Comparative public policy is the study of why two or more political systems or governing bodies adopt the public policies they do. modelsProvides models that can be used in different settings (transfering learning?). How similar institutions operate in different settings. Goal of the book: to expose readers to different political systems and the context in which public policy is made.

14. Globalization Makes problems cross over physical borders “Shared” or similar problems Need of judging which policies are possible to adapt from one to another setting

15. The Approaches The Cultural Values Approach The Neo-Corporatist Approach (institutionalized bargaining) The Institutional Approach (State structure) The Socioeconomic Approach The Politics Matters Approach (political choices)

16. What Nations and What Policies to Study? The United States, Great Britain, Sweden, Brazil, Japan, and Germany are compared across four areas of social policy. Why Brazil? “I am interested in seeing if differences occur between durable market democracies and transitional market democracies.” (12)