Typologies Useful in Comparative Politics?

¶ … typologies useful in comparative politics?

Typologies are an essential part in the study of comparative politics. They are used on a constant basis for expressing the wide range of differences that only comparative studies can identify. Typologies represent the fundament of the political analysis because they offer reference for the theoretical approach.

There are different typologies; they can refer to particular types of leaders, such as the dictatorial type or the democratic one. One of the most significant areas of analysis in which typologies are the basis for interpretation is the study of different forms of government. In this sense, for instance the discussion over the best means of government is placed on the analysis of different typologies: monarchy, republicanism. Also, there are taken into account its leaders, such as kings, elected leaders, imposed rulers, or dictators.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to typologies in comparative politics. One of the advantages of using typologies in the political analysis is the fact that a theoretical framework is created for a particular subject (Goodin and Klingeman, 2000). In this sense for instance, the analysis over the best governing practices is available since ancient times, from Plato and Aristotle. They were the one who theorized the discussion over the perfect society, the democratic rule, the advantages and disadvantages of democracy. From the perspective offered by such a theoretical background, further research is easier to achieve, without having to redo the research with data already available.

Another advantage for using typologies is the fact that they are a useful background for analysis not in the sense of being used as tools, as mentioned before, but as actual sources of practical information. For instance, the term democracy is used by Plato in a particular sense, while by Aristotle in a different way. However, such differences represent a basis for analysis and information. They were useful for studies in the medieval world and for the development of analysis in the next centuries.