What is comparative political science?
The axiomatic belief that there can be no science of [comparative] politics is indeed a comfortable position since it need not, and cannot, be either verified or falsified. Faure (1994) There must be a demand to think comparatively, which is more than just memorizing comparative information. Laswell (1968) This essays intention is to discuss various themes that are relevant for the study of comparative politics. I use quotations from various scholars to provide some insights regarding several of these themes. The question of the comparative method is a question of the method of science in general, since the method of science is one of comparison. One idea about the difference between natural science and the human sciences is the interaction between our own ideas and freedom and the laws that we live under. We do not choose the laws in natural science – we live under that law. But in social science, we choose our laws. This may be true – that we choose some of our laws – not everything
