Choosing between Case Study or Large N Cross country study in Political Science: Towards an Inclusive Approach - Softcover

Sab, Naz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1981495061 ISBN 13: 9781981495061

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017

Synopsis

There are apparent divisions between scholars who focus on cross country research versus those who specialize on single-country or area-studies researches. The first type aims at generating general theory building, while the later one focuses on in-depth specialization. Division, however, not necessarily, means antagonism rather, often times, means complimentary cohabitation to benefit from the division of labor, comparative and competitive advantages, which could be win-win situation for all and socially Pareto-maximizing. In this book, I argued that the weaknesses of one camp in this cross-national versus single-country or area studies divide is the strength of the other camp, and, hence many scholars of general comparative politics are found to be area specialists simultaneously. In line with Bates’ et al (1999) "analytic narratives" can offer, the author argues, a theoretically and scientifically powerful way to explain social contexts specific interaction of agents (who are infused with cultures/values), choices structured by institutions, and shaped by beliefs. This book has three parts. The first part briefly discusses the division between the two camps: cross-country versus area studies; in second part, it will report the justifications, strengths and weaknesses of both camps, and, finally, in the third and last part it will argue towards a synthesis of the both sides by avoiding the weaknesses of one camp and adopting the strengths from the other camp, when appropriate and necessary.Content Preface……………………………………………………………………………..3 The Debate and Division………………………………………………………..4 The Justifications, Strengths and Weaknesses of both approaches………..10 Theory building versus testing…………………………………………………11 Depth versus Breadth…………………………………………………………..13 Internal or External Validity…………………………………………………..14 Causal Mechanisms or Causal Effects………………………………………...15 Useful Variance: Rare or Common?............................................................17 Deterministic or Probabilistic Causal Relationships…………………………18 Heterogeneous or Homogeneous Population of Cases………………………19 The Synthesis……………………………………………………………………22 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..27 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………..28

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1981495061
• ISBN 13: 9781981495061
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 34