Conceptualising Comparative Politics

Anthony Petros Spanakos is an associate professor of political science and law at Montclair State University.

Conceputalising Comparative Politics breaks new ground by emphasising the role of thoroughly thinking through concepts and deep familiarity with the case that inform the conceptual reflection. In this thought-provoking book, established academics as well as emerging scholars in the field collect (and invite) scholarship in the tradition of conceptual comparative politics. The book posits that concepts may be used comparatively as 'lenses', 'building blocks' and 'scripts', and contributors show how these conceptual tools can be employed in original comparative research. Importantly, contributors do not simply use concepts in one of these three ways but they apply them with careful consideration of empirical variation. This book will challenge you to think of how to engage in conceptual comparative inquiry and how to use various methodologically sound techniques to understand and explain comparative politics.

Selected Contents: 1. Conceptualising Comparative Politics: A Framework Anthony Petros Spanakos Part 1: Concepts as lenses 2. Conceptualising Europe as a 'Region-State' Vivien A. Schmidt 3. Bricolage as an Analytical Lens in New Institutionalist Theory Martin B. Carstensen 4. The Secular State: Proposing a New Perspective Birol Bäkan 5. The Quality And Stability Of Subnational Elections In Africa: A Methodological and Conceptual Tool Ragnhild Louise Muriaas Part 2: Concepts as Building Blocks 6. Human Rights: Building Blocks for a Comparative Politics of Power Todd Landman 7. Reconsidering Electoral Contestation Through Voter Mobilization Allyson Lucinda Benton 8. Measuring or Redefining Concepts in Comparative Politics? Challenges in Comparative Public Opinion Zsolt Nyiri Part 3: Concepts as Scripts 9. Statehood and Segmentary Governance: An Essay on Political Change in a West African City Till Förster 10. Populism, Social Democracy and The Tale Of The "Two Lefts" In Latin America Francisco Panizza 11. Institutionalities and Political Change in Bolivarian Venezuela Anthony Petros Spanakos Part 4: Concluding Remarks Epilogue: Comparing Beyond Methods Francisco Panizza Index