Doing Comparative Politics: An Introduction to Approaches and Issues

by Timothy C. Lim

This systematic, user friendly, and refreshingly unusual introduction to comparative politics is designed to teach students how to think comparatively and theoretically about the world they live in.The second edition retains the core features of the first, coherently integrating comparative method, theory, and issues, but provides updated material and additional cases throughout. The text now also includes study questions for each chapter.

Genres: Politics, Political Science, Nonfiction, School

369 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Brendan Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dr. Lim's text reads like a conversation. It presents a series of examples, such as, for example, the economic rise of East Asia, then provides three perspectives on how these events can be viewed, i.e., through the lens of a Rationalist, a Structuralist, and a Culturalist theory. My problem with the book is that Lim devotes too much to Structural and rational choice theory while often relegating cultural theories as an afterthought, if not altogether dismissive of the school of thought, in much shorter sections than the former two. It feels too inherently biased.

I will say Lim is very persuasive, though.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a text book for a comparative theory class I had this semester.

it reads simply and is easy to understand. each section breaks down popular issues in the international studies world into three schools of thought -- rationalism (boo), structuralism (Marxists) and culturalism (the best).

some of these issues include:
-Capitalist Development
-Social Movements
-Economic Underdevelopment
-Transitions from Authoritarian Rule to Democratic Rule

there are many instances of the author repeating himself in this book and using the same kind of language to either save himself from searing criticism or to transfer from one section to another. yet the book reads like a conversation and not some holier-than-thou academic text, which I found refreshing.

I think this book is best for studying how rationalists, structuralists and culturalists study problems in the international community, not so much for any kind of factual reference.

[Xiaoqing Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is an easy-read by and large, not so filled with academese. The topics chosen are very relevant and interest-evoking. The discussions are well structured with the stressing of proper methodology a key theme throughout the book.

[casetheplace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate the overuse of the word "democracy", and this book is kind of a democracy whore. Also, bad cover art, even for a textbook.

[Nelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book again to prepare myself for the Fall quarter.

[Kw Estes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible for an undergrad textbook--but still far from sold on the idea that there even ought to be any sort of comparative politics textbook. Textbook=mature science. We're not there yet...