Comparative Politics

The complications of using similar concepts in different situations are well-known to everyone in comparative politics. This volume faces the problems of comparability and equivalence head on and indicates practical ways they can be tackled. Each contribution focuses on a theoretically relevant theme, such as tolerance, political values, religious orientation, gender roles, voluntary associations, party organisations, party positions, democratic regimes, and the mass media. The chapters cover different approaches, methods, data and countries, making use of widely available empirical research to illustrate the gains of finding equivalent measures in realistic research settings. Many of the strategies show how the complicated search for comparability and equivalence uncovers substantial additional information in comparative politics. Dealing with these problems can enhance the quality and reliability of any research. This edition includes a new introduction from the Jan van Deth, examining developments in the field over the last 20 years.

Jan W. van Deth is Professor of Political Science and International Comparative Social Research at the University of Mannheim (Germany). He published widely on political engagement, social capital, citizenship, social change, and comparative research methods.