Question 1

Why is it difficult to create a science of comparative politics? Is it because this area of study is relatively new, or are there fundamental obstacles that will always limit what we can know based on the comparative method?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is it difficult to create a...

Question 2

The substance of politics is inevitably bound up in the struggle between
A)individual rights and collective responsibilities.
B)equality of opportunities and equality of outcomes.
C)liberty versus security.
D)individual freedom and collective equality.

Accepted Answer

The struggle between individual freedom and collective equality is a central theme in politics. Whether it is discussing the role of government, economic systems, or social policy, this tension is always present. It can be seen in debates over taxation, healthcare, education, and more. While other factors such as individual rights and security are also important, they can be seen as key components of the larger struggle between individual freedom and collective equality.

Question 3

In which of the following ways can multicausality affect comparative politics research?
A)It reduces limits to information and information-gathering procedures.
B)It allows comparative politics researchers to make more accurate predictions about real-world phenomena.
C)It complicates the comparative method and makes it more difficult to develop concrete explanations about real-world phenomena.
D)It helps provide a wider number of cases for researchers to study.

Accepted Answer

Multicausality means that there are multiple factors contributing to a particular phenomenon, making it difficult for researchers to isolate one specific cause. This can complicate the comparative method and make it more difficult to develop concrete explanations about real-world phenomena. Option A is incorrect because multicausality actually increases limits to information and information-gathering procedures, as researchers must consider a wider range of factors. Option B is incorrect because multicausality does not necessarily lead to more accurate predictions, as the complexity of multiple causes can make it harder to predict outcomes. Option D is incorrect because multicausality does not necessarily provide a wider number of cases for researchers to study; rather, it means that researchers must consider more variables for each case they study.

Question 4

To a comparativist, which would be of more value: discovery of a correlation or discovery of a causal relationship? Why?
A)correlation, because it demonstrates empirically that two variables are related
B)causal relationship, because it describes a more concrete, specific relationship between two variables
C)correlation, because it is more valuable for quantitative research findings
D)neither, as both terms describe essentially the same relationship between two variables

Accepted Answer

A comparativist would find the discovery of a causal relationship to be of more value than the discovery of a correlation because it provides a more concrete and specific understanding of how two variables are related. Correlation alone does not provide information about the direction of the relationship or whether one variable is causing changes in the other. Causal relationships, on the other hand, allow for more precise prediction and explanation of outcomes.

Question 5

How strongly is democracy institutionalized in your country? Has its level of institutionalization changed over time, and how difficult would it be to deinstitutionalize democracy? What formal structures support its institutionalization?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Which of the following forms of research or data would more likely be used by a quantitative research study than by a qualitative research study?
A)economic data
B)interview data
C)observational research
D)archival data

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following forms of research...

Question 7

Discuss the emergence of and basic characteristics of modernization theory and behavioralism.How do the two approaches in comparative politics differ from each other, and how are they similar?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

In which of the following ways does quantitative research differ from qualitative research?
A)It is more likely to have a specific geographic focus.
B)It is more likely to use inductive reasoning.
C)It favors a wider use of cases not restricted by area specialization.
D)Its variables tend to be less rigorously defined.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research often employs statistical methods to analyze data from a wide range of cases, not limited by specific geographic or area specializations, allowing for broader generalizations. In contrast, qualitative research may focus more deeply on specific contexts or areas.

Question 9

Which of the following is true of the concept of political institutions?
A)Strong institutions generate good norms and values; weak institutions generate negative or destructive ones.
B)U.S.democracy is an institution in both the formal and informal sense.
C)Most countries lack common formal political institutions.
D)When taxation is "institutionalized," tax evasion often increases as a result.

Accepted Answer

The concept of political institutions refers to both formal and informal rules, practices, and organizations that shape political behavior and decision-making. U.S. democracy is an institution in both the formal sense (e.g. the Constitution, elections) and the informal sense (e.g. norms of political participation, respect for the rule of law). The other options are incorrect: A is too broad (the relationship between institutions and norms/values is more complicated than this) and C and D are inaccurate (most countries have common formal political institutions, and institutionalizing taxation typically reduces tax evasion).

Question 10

A greater focus on collective equality is associated with
A)a smaller role for the state.
B)a larger role for the state.
C)less political violence.
D)fewer political parties.

Accepted Answer

A greater focus on collective equality is often associated with a larger role for the state in implementing and regulating policies to ensure equal opportunities and outcomes for all members of society. This may include measures such as affirmative action, welfare programs, and progressive taxation.

Question 11

In which of the following ways did behavioralism differ from modernization theory?
A)It was more of a methodology than a set of hypotheses.
B)It put less emphasis on empirical, data-driven research.
C)It demonstrated a narrower geographic range of interest.
D)It put greater emphasis on the historical evolution of political institutions.

Accepted Answer

Behavioralism was primarily a methodology that emphasized the use of quantitative methods to study political phenomena, while modernization theory was a broader set of hypotheses about how societies develop and transition from traditional to modern forms.

Question 12

Describe the difference between qualitative and quantitative methodology in comparative politics.How has this difference evolved over time? How does a mixed-methods approach fit into this debate?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

A greater focus on individual freedom is most likely to require
A)a smaller role for the state.
B)a larger role for the state.
C)greater civic responsibility.
D)more political parties.

Accepted Answer

A greater focus on individual freedom means giving people more personal autonomy and choice, which would require a smaller role for the state in regulating and controlling individuals' lives. A larger role for the state would be contradictory to the goal of increasing individual freedom. Greater civic responsibility and more political parties may be beneficial for a free society, but they do not directly address the issue of the state's role in individual freedom.

Question 14

What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning? Why are both forms of reasoning important in determining correlations and/or causal relationships in comparative politics?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between deductive and...

Question 15

Which of the following is true of the work of most comparativists?
A)When they expand study outside of a single country, they still tend to limit their scope to a single geographic region.
B)They seek to study countries for which the least amount of established research has been accomplished.
C)They try to choose countries with radically different political systems in order to maximize variability in cases.
D)They tend to limit their focus to a single level of economic development.

Accepted Answer

Most comparativists tend to limit their scope to a single geographic region rather than study countries from all over the world. This allows them to better understand the nuances and complexities of the region they are studying.

Quiz 1: Introduction

Why is it difficult to create a science of comparative politics? Is it because this area of study is relatively new, or are there fundamental obstacles that will always limit what we can know based on the comparative method?

The substance of politics is inevitably bound up in the struggle between

In which of the following ways can multicausality affect comparative politics research?

To a comparativist, which would be of more value: discovery of a correlation or discovery of a causal relationship? Why?

How strongly is democracy institutionalized in your country? Has its level of institutionalization changed over time, and how difficult would it be to deinstitutionalize democracy? What formal structures support its institutionalization?

Which of the following forms of research or data would more likely be used by a quantitative research study than by a qualitative research study?

Discuss the emergence of and basic characteristics of modernization theory and behavioralism.How do the two approaches in comparative politics differ from each other, and how are they similar?

In which of the following ways does quantitative research differ from qualitative research?

Which of the following is true of the concept of political institutions?

A greater focus on collective equality is associated with

In which of the following ways did behavioralism differ from modernization theory?

Describe the difference between qualitative and quantitative methodology in comparative politics.How has this difference evolved over time? How does a mixed-methods approach fit into this debate?

A greater focus on individual freedom is most likely to require

What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning? Why are both forms of reasoning important in determining correlations and/or causal relationships in comparative politics?

Which of the following is true of the work of most comparativists?