Comparison in Comparative Politics Comparative Term Paper

Uvin and McFaul make sound arguments using political comparison as
the key to their studies. Uvin uses evidence of all aspect of political
life in his three case study countries, such as elections, the population,
and the role of the military. He then takes his case studies, compares
them, and finds the pattern that links them all to each other. Once the
pattern is identified, he illustrates how this pattern can be looked at in
much broader light as a way in which democracy can become a reality in
countries stuck in the rut of authoritarianism. Like McFaul, Uvin also
takes countries and studies the political evidence of their past. Using a
most historic approach, as he accounts of a larger scope of Rwanda and
Burundi's history to have an effect on the present day, Uvin finds
differences where it appears there would be mainly similarities. In this
way, McFaul and Uvin are doing the opposite work. One is finding
similarities and the other, differences. In reality, however, both are
really doing the same work and that is comparing the components of the
regimes as well as the factors that influence politics in order to gain a
better understanding of the situation, other situations, and the future of
not only the countries of the case study but for other countries as well.

Works Cited

McFaul, Michael. "Transitions from Postcommunism." Journal of Democracy,
Vol. 16 (2005):
5-19.

Uvin, Peter. "Ethnicity and Power in…