As part of my business school degree back in the 1990s, I took an elective university course in Comparative Politics. Comparative politics is an applicable and essential subfield within political science that seeks to understand how political systems operate across different countries and regions. By comparing institutions, processes, policies, and behaviors, scholars in this field strive to identify patterns, explain differences, and generate insights into the functioning of governments and societies worldwide.
At its core, comparative politics involves the systematic study and comparison of political systems. Unlike international relations, which focuses on the interactions between nations, comparative politics examines domestic politics within countries. Researchers may explore questions such as:
How do authoritarian regimes maintain control?
Why do some democracies succeed while others fail?
What factors drive political participation and voter behavior?
How do cultural, economic, and historical contexts shape governance?
By addressing these questions, comparative politics provides a framework for understanding the diversity of political experiences and the underlying principles that shape governance.