Comparative Inquiry In Politics And Political Economy : Theories And Issues

As an introductory text in comparative study, this work begins with the assumption that students should examine a variety of perspectives and explore alternative possibilities as a means of arousing curiosity, stimulating creativity, building interest and self-motivation, and enhancing understanding of complex issues in politics and political economy.The book provides the student with the foundations for comparative inquiry. Its purpose is threefold: to sketch an overview of the major theories and concepts; to expose issues, summarize arguments and counter-arguments; and to encourage the beginning student to pursue critical thinking in the recognition that mainstream ideas deserve scrutiny, many essential questions remain unsettled, and that the outcome may result in the formulation and reinforcement of a personal perspective, premised on one’s individual learning.The principal chapters focus on important themes and dichotomies of theory with attention to institutional frameworks (state and system approaches), the social dimension (class and group formations), the cultural dimension (individual and collective preferences), the economic dimension (capitalist and socialist development), and the political dimension (representative and participatory democracy). 'Comparative Inquiry in Politics and Political Economy provides all the essentials for a superb introductory text in comparative politics; comprehensive in scope; historical in approach; and fair-minded in its treatment of liberal, conservative, and radical perspectives. The best single survey of the field available today for classroom use.'-James Petras, SUNY-Binghamton'The student of comparative political inquiry now has a safe map to guide their way. Ronald Chilcote has produced a fine overview of the theories and politics of this field, equally attentive to mainstream and radical alternatives alike. With a balance that does not preclude passion, Chilcote provides a unique critical engagement with the subject of comparative politics and political economy.'—Ronaldo Munck, University of Liverpool'Prof. Chilcote has made a magisterial contribution to the social sciences. This book situates comparative politics and international relations within the context of the development of social and economic thought over the past two hundred years. It is an excellent resource for introducing upper division students to advanced ideas in the social sciences, or for graduate students seeking a secure foundation in the intellectual development of the field. Prof. Chilcote's attention to a wide range of ideological and theoretical tendencies in the social sciences makes this book vastly more comprehensive than the syllabi of many graduate level survey courses.'-Gregory Nowell, SUNY-Albany'In this sweeping intellectual history of comparative politics and political economy, Chilcote resolutely refuses to take for granted the assumptions of the Euro-American mainstream. Instead, his refreshing survey juxtaposes the dominant approaches systematically to Marxist and other alternative paradigms. Clear and direct exposition makes this a valuable text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.'—Richard Stahler-Sholk, Eastern Michigan University As an introductory text in comparative study, this work begins with the assumption that students should examine a variety of perspectives and explore alternative possibilities as a means of arousing curiosity, stimulating creativity, building interest and self-motivation, and enhancing understanding of complex issues in politics and political economy. The book provides the student with the foundations for comparative inquiry. Its purpose is threefold: to sketch an overview of the major theories and concepts; to expose issues and summarize arguments and counter-arguments; and to encourage the beginning student to pursue critical thinking in the recognition that mainstream ideas deserve scrutiny, that many essential questions remain unsettled, and that the outcome may result in the formulation and reinforcement of a personal perspective, premised on one's individual learning. Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Preface -- PART 1 Introduction: Foundations for Inquiry -- Issues -- Terminology -- Theoretical Directions -- 1 The Politics of Comparative Inquiry -- The American Legacy -- Dissent in Academia -- Prevalent Beliefs and Values -- Ideology and Politics -- Ideology Revisited -- Politics and Science -- Scholarship and the Establishment -- 2 Theoretical Paths -- Positivist Thought and Its Role in Shaping the Mainstream -- Historicist Thought in the Search for an Alternative Paradigm -- Competing Paradigms -- Marxist and Non-Marxist Political Economy -- Origins and Evolution of Political Economy -- PART 2 Dichotomies of Theories -- 3 Institutional Frameworks: State and System -- Systems Theories -- State Theories -- 4 The Social Dimension: Class and Group -- Theoretical Foundations -- Perspectives on Group -- Perspectives on Class -- Issues of Class and Group Analysis -- 5 The Cultural Dimension: Individual and Collective Preferences -- Mainstream Political Culture and Socialization -- Alternative Perspectives on Culture -- Prospects for Culture Theory -- 6 The Economic Dimension: Capitalist and Socialist Development -- Conceptualizing Development -- The Historical Evolution of Capitalist and Socialist Development -- Theoretical Directions -- Policy Approaches Toward Development -- Whither Imperialism and Development Theory? -- 7 The Political Dimension: Representative and Participatory Democracy -- Representative Democracy -- Participatory Democracy -- Issues of Democracy in Capitalism and Socialism -- Models of Empowerment and Transformation -- PART 3 CONCLUSION -- 8 The Unending Search for a Paradigm in Political Economy -- Glossary -- References -- Index "This book provides the student with the foundations for comparative inquiry. Its purpose is threefold: to sketch an overview of the major theories and concepts; to expose issues and summarize arguments and counter-arguments; and to encourage the beginning student to pursue critical thinking in the recognition that mainstream ideas deserve scrutiny, that many essential questions remain unsettled, and that the outcome may result in the formulation and reinforcement of a personal perspective, premised on one's individual learning."--BOOK JACKET. "This book provides the student with the foundations for comparative inquiry. Its purpose is threefold: to sketch an overview of the major theories and concepts; to expose issues and summarize arguments and counter-arguments; and to encourage the beginning student to pursue critical thinking in the recognition that mainstream ideas deserve scrutiny, that many essential questions remain unsettled, and that the outcome may result in the formulation and reinforcement of a personal perspective, premised on one's individual learning."-- Book jacket This introduction identifies and explains key issues, defines essential concepts, delineates theoretical directions, and notes the limitations and parameters of inquiry in (comparative) politics and political economy.