Comparative Historical Analysis in the Social Sciences

by James Mahoney (Editor), Dietrich Rueschemeyer (Editor)

Overview

This review of the accomplishments and future agendas of comparative historical research in the social sciences explores its strengths in explaining important worldwide outcomes (e.g., revolutions, social provision, democracy). It includes sections on substantive research accomplishments, methodology, and theory, and features essays by some of the most important political scientists and sociologists currently working.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521816106
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/03/2003
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics
Pages:	468
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.37(h) x 1.18(d)

Table of Contents

1. Comparative-historical analysis: achievements and agendas James Mahoney and Dietrich Rueschemeyer; Part I. Accumulation of Research: 2. Comparative-historical analysis and knowledge accumulation in the study of revolutions Jack A. Goldstone; 3. What we know about the development of social policy: comparative and historical research in comparative and historical perspective Edwin Amenta; 4. Knowledge accumulation in comparative-historical research: the case of democracy and authoritarianism James Mahoney; Part II. Analytic Tools: 5. Big, slow-moving, and … invisible: macro-social processes in the study of comparative politics Paul Pierson; 6. How institutions evolve: insights from comparative-historical analysis Kathleen Thelen; 7. Uses of network tools in comparative-historical research Roger V. Gould; 8. Periodization and preferences: reflections on purposive action in comparative-historical social science Ira Katznelson; Part III: Issues of Method: 9. Can one or a few cases yield gains? Dietrich Rueschemeyer; 10. Strategies of causal assessment in comparative-historical analysis James Mahoney; 11. Aligning ontology and methodology in comparative politics; 12. Doubly engaged social science: the promise of comparative-historical analysis Theda Skocpol.

Editorial Reviews

"Devils lie at the back of this set of high-powered essays on the state of play within comparative historical studies. Bluntly, the volume is a triumph in every way, clearly superseding everything else in the field. The intellectual range is impressive. The volume as a whole operates with a sophisticated view of methodology." John A. Hall, McGill University, American Journal of Sociology

"A must for anyone who wants to seriously engage in comparative analysis." EH.net, Bertrand M. Roehner, University of Paris

From the Publisher