Over 15,000 copies sold, available in Spanish, and now out in its Fourth Edition!
Reviews for all editions:
'If this textbook had been available when I was a college senior or first-year graduate student, it would have saved me months of muddled thinking about what comparative politics is and how it should be done.' - Michael Coppedge, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Notre Dame, USA
'Todd Landman’s scientifically elegant new book contains a wealth of substantive and methodological content that should inspire much progress in comparative politics theory and research. From an interdisciplinary perspective, it inspires parallel efforts in the other social sciences, as well as serve a highly useful function as reference in computational social science and the comparative analysis of models and metrics … the leading methodologically-oriented text in the field.' - Claudio Cioffi-Revilla, Ph.D, Professor of Computational Social Science, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, USA
'...an excellent starting point for scholars and students alike who wish to come to grips with the most important arguments, finding, and methodological challenges in the study of democracy and human rights. Required reading for budding comparativists, it should also serve as a benchmark which seasoned scholars should regularly revisit.' - Robert Mattes, University of Strathclyde, UK
'I have relied on this book for years to teach my masters students how to think through their methods choices. ...The book presents complex material in a clear way - and is useful both in teaching and in my own research.' - Sherill Stroschein, University College London, UK
'...Pluralistic and reflexive, well-structured, thoughtful, and up-to-date, Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics nicely fulfils its didactic promise Students will encounter a most stimulating guide to the contemporary study of politics.' - Andreas Scheduler, CIDE, Mexico City, Mexico
The first edition was published in 2000, the second edition in 2003, the third in 2008, and now the Fourth Edition is out with co-author Edzia Carvalho. The fourth edition continues to provide the best introduction to the strategies of comparative research in political science.
Divided into three parts, the book begins by examining different methods, applying these methods to dominant issues in comparative politics using a wealth of topical examples from around the world, and then discusses the new challenges in the area.
New to this edition:
- Additional contemporary case studies including the democratisation of technology and the Arab Spring
- Detailed discussion of regression analysis and diffusion;
- More analysis of justice, inequality, and compliance
- Reflection on new methods and treatments of contemporary comparative politics
If you are teaching an undergraduate module or course on comparative politics, this is the perfect textbook for you. It is also great for graduate students and scholars seeking a greater understanding of comparative methods, the link between theory and methods, and how to strengthen inferences from comparative analysis.
DOI link for Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics
Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics book
Try the new Google Books
Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features
Building on the strengths of the second edition, this highly regarded textbook continues to provide the best introduction to the strategies of comparative research in political science.
Divided into three parts, the book begins by examining different methods, applying these methods to dominant issues in comparative politics using a wealth of topical examples from around the world, and then discusses the new challenges in the area. New to this edition:
- features explanation of regression analysis with accompanied briefing boxes
- new discussion of the assumptions, research design, and the use of statistics characteristic of many-country comparisons
- single and multi-country studies - how to compare countries and address problems of comparison, especially the principles for selecting countries
- new chapter on the intersection between international relations and comparative politics
- all chapters have been updated with new publications and research output relevant to the discussion.
Balancing reader friendly features with high quality analysis makes this popular academic text essential reading for everyone interested comparative politics and research methods.
Dr Todd Landman is Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham. He was formerly Professor of Government (2009-2013) and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (2013-2015) at the University of Essex. He has been Director of the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution (2010-2013), Director of the Centre for Democratic Governance (2007-2010), Co-Director (2003-2005) and Deputy Director (1999-2003) of the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex.
He has a BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania (1988), an MA in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University (1990), an MA in Political Science from the University of Colorado Boulder (1993) and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Essex (2000).
He has published numerous books, articles, and chapters on the politics of development, democracy and human rights.
He has travelled to over 35 countries working on a variety of training and capacity building projects for national and international public and private organisations.
He appears regularly in the media, at public events, and as an entertainer. He combines his interest in philosophy, history, politics, science, magic and the unknown to provide a unique form of mystery entertainment.
He is Founder of the British Society of Mystery Entertainers, Associate Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star (AIMC), Member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and Visiting Professor of Performance Magic at the University of Huddersfield.
Dr Todd Landman is Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham. He was formerly Professor of Government (2009-2013) and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (2013-2015) at the University of Essex. He has been Director of the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution (2010-2013), Director of the Centre for Democratic Governance (2007-2010), Co-Director (2003-2005) and Deputy Director (1999-2003) of the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex.
He has a BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania (1988), an MA in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University (1990), an MA in Political Science from the University of Colorado Boulder (1993) and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Essex (2000).
He has published numerous books, articles, and chapters on the politics of development, democracy and human rights.
He has travelled to over 35 countries working on a variety of training and capacity building projects for national and international public and private organisations.
He appears regularly in the media, at public events, and as an entertainer. He combines his interest in philosophy, history, politics, science, magic and the unknown to provide a unique form of mystery entertainment.
He is Founder of the British Society of Mystery Entertainers, Associate Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star (AIMC), Member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and Visiting Professor of Performance Magic at the University of Huddersfield.
Introduction
PART I: WHY, HOW, AND PROBLEMS OF COMPARISON
1. Why Compare Countries?
Reasons for comparison
The science in political science
Scientific terms and concepts
Summary
Further reading
2. How to Compare Countries
Methods of comparison
Comparing many countries
Comparing few countries
Single country studies as comparison
Choosing countries and problems of comparison
Summary
Further reading
3. Comparing Many Countries
Starting assumptions
Measuring concepts
Basic regression analysis
Extending the basic regression model
Limitations to global comparative analysis
Summary
Further reading
4. Comparing Few Countries
Assumptions
Case selection and research design
Combining quantitative and qualitative comparison
Limitations of few-country comparisons
Summary
Further reading
5. Single-Country Studies as Comparison
Functions of single-country studies
Raising observations in single-country studies
Limitations of single-study studies
Summary
Further reading
PART II: COMPARING COMPARISONS
6. Economic Development and Democracy
The research problem
Comparing many countries
Comparing few countries
Single-country studies
Summary
Further reading
7. Violent Political Dissent and Social Revolution
The research problem
Comparing many countries
Comparing few countries
Single-country studies
Summary
Further reading
8. Non-Violent Political Dissent and Social Movements
The research problem
Comparing many countries
Comparing few countries
Single-country studies
Summary
Further reading
9. Transitions to Democracy
The research problem
Comparing many countries
Comparing few countries
Single-country studies
Summary
Further reading
10. Institutional Design and Democratic Performance
The research problem
Comparing many countries
Comparing few countries
Single-country studies
Summary
Further reading
11. Human Rights
The research problem
Comparing many countries
Comparing few countries
Single-country studies
Summary
Further reading
12. International Relations and Comparative Politics
Research problems
Comparing many countries
Comparing few countries
Single-country studies
Summary
Further reading
PART III: COMPARATIVE METHODS AND NEW ISSUES
13. Common Themes and Different Comparisons
Methodological trade-offs
Building theory
Conclusion: drawing the lessons
Further reading
14. New Challenges For Comparative Politics
Full circle
New methods
Maintaining relevance
Summary
Further reading