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Essay Instructions: Comparison in Comparative Politics


I have posted seven articles that apply comparative political analysis. These articles use some of the “building blocks” we’ve been discussing in class: state institutions, coercion versus centralization, political culture, ideology, nationalism, economic systems, etc. Choose two of these articles to examine for this assignment.

a paper that examines how the tools of comparison are used in these articles. In the course of the paper, you should for each article:
? Examine the question explored by the author. What argument does that author make?
? Determine which method (or tool) of comparison does the author emphasize? Explain why the author chose the method of comparison he or she uses.
? Summarize the evidence used by the author.
? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s approach? Do you agree with his or her conclusions?


Advice on Reading analytically:
• Consider the key argument of the article/book:
o Force yourself to summarize it in two sentences
o What is the theoretical basis for this article?
• Look at evidence as the author presents it.
o What evidence does the author offer to bolster his or her theory?
o Think critically: has the author neglected evidence? Does the evidence presented really represent the best way to understand the argument?
• Consider evidence they have neglected.
• Look at strengths and weaknesses in each argument.

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ARTICLES





1) Peter Uvin
Uvin.pdf (2.388 Mb)
Peter Uvin (1999), `Ethnicity and Power in Burundi and Rwanda: Different Paths to Mass Violence,` Comparative Politics, Vol. 31, No. 3, p. 253-271.

2) Samuel Huntington
huntington.pdf (5.154 Mb)
Samuel Huntington (1993), `Clash of Civilizations,` Foreign Affairs, Volume 72, No. 3, p. 22-49.

3) Jejeebhoy and Sathar
jejeebhoyetal.pdf (2.417 Mb)
Shireen J. Jejeebhoy and Zeba A. Sathar (2001), `Women`s Autonomy in India and Pakistan: The Influence of Religion and Region,` Population and Development Review, Vol. 24, No. 4, p. 687-712.

4) Karen Remmer
Remmer.pdf (1.908 Mb)
Karen L. Remmer (1990), `Democracy and Economic Crisis: The Latin American Experience,` World Politics, Vol. 42, No. 3, p. 315-335.

5) Michael McFaul
mcfaul.pdf (763.013 Kb)
Michael McFaul (2005), `Transitions from Postcommunism,` Journal of Democracy, Vol. 16, No. 3, p. 5-19.

6) Yan Sun
Sun.pdf (2.212 Mb)
Yan Sun (1999), `Reform, State and Corruption: Is Corruption Less Destructive in China than in Russia?` Comparative Politics, Vol. 32, No. 1, 1-20.

7) Mark Tessler
tessler.pdf (138.84 Kb)
Mark Tessler (2002), `Islam and Democracy in the Middle East: The Impact of Religious Orientations on Attitudes toward democracy in 4 Arab countries,` Comparative Politics, Vol. 34, No. 3, p. 337-354.

8)M. Steven Fish
fish.pdf (107.842 Kb)
M. Steven Fish (2006), `Stronger Legislatures, Stronger Democracies,` Journal of Democracy, Vol. 17, No. 1, p. 5-20.

Essay Instructions: Comparative Book Review: Choose one book from the first list provided at the bottom of this sentence.

1) The Rise and Fall of Development Theory- Colin Leys
2) Black Skins: White Masks-Franz Fanon
3) Africa Works: Disorder as Political Instrument-Chabal and Daloz

You must then choose a second book on similar or related topic. The books on the second list at the bottom of the page can be used.

As you read try to determine…. What the author is trying to do by writing the book. What contributions to our knowledge of Africa is the author offering? Why is it important or not important? Make sure you emphasize on analyzing the text not providing too much description.

a) What other authors are saying about the topic. In what ways is this approach new or not new? Again how might we assess the importance or the book?
b) If the author is successful. Where does the argument succeed or fail to convince you? What would you like to see more or less of? Has the author successfully defended their thesis?
c) Find a systematic way to compare the work (pick the key criteria that you will use to make assessments about the author’s work)
d) Asses which author does a better job of explaining the issue and explain your position
e) Consider the practical implications of using the author’s theories in relation to key development issues in Africa

When you write make sure that……
a) You have a strong thesis that you will defend in your paper
b) You use Chicago style footnotes that are properly and thoroughly formatted
c) You do not introduce new ideas in your conclusion
d) You have a bibliography
e) You have re-read and edited your work

Book reviews are a critical review of a selected book. Other reviews on the book should only be marginally employed (and cited when used). DO NOT summarize the book but write a critical review of what the book attempts to do and if it succeeds. Consider the contribution the book has made to both scholarly and practical understanding of contemporary Africa. The paper should be clear and incisive writing that is grammatically and syntactically sound, and that has correct spelling. Moreover, the critical analysis must cite every source upon which you rely for quotations, or specific factual material. Lastly, would the writer please use two outside sources either journals or books to answer the following question in the paper: " What other authors are saying about the topic. In what ways is this approach new or not new? Again how might we assess the importance or the book". Make sure all works are cited and included in the bibliography.

Please provide a bibliography or list of works consulted.

If the writer has any questions feel free to contact me via email.

Thank you

Book Titles to compare book with:

1) Africa's media, democracy, and the politics of belonging / Francis B. Nyamnjoh
2) The Black man's burden : Africa and the curse of the nation-state / Basil Davidson
3) Closing the circle : democratization and development in Africa / Richard Sandbrook.
4) The darker nations : a people's history of the third world / Vijay Prashad.
5) Democracy and development in Africa / Claude Ake
6) Disciplining democracy : development discourse and good governance in Africa / Rita Abrahmsen
7) No shortcuts to progress : African development management in perspective / Goran Hyden
8) On the postcolony / Achille Mbembe
9) The politics of modernization [by] David E. Apter
10) Warlord politics and African states / William Reno
11) What is Africa's problem? / Yoweri K. Museveni ; edited by Elizabeth Kanyogonya ; foreword by Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere
12) When victims become killers : colonialism, nativism, and the genocide in Rwanda / Mahmood Mamdani

Essay Instructions: Comparative critical review of two pieces of nursing research, two journal articals to follow vi fax.

Must include evidence of:

Relationship between theory and practice.

Reflection, if possible.

Research designs applicable to nursing, how they relate to evidence based practice, autit, quality assurance, clinical governance and ethical considerations.

Must have emphasis on critical analysis, synthesis, evaluation.






There are faxes for this order.

Essay Instructions: Comparative analysis of childcare issues within a global setting.

In-depth comparative analysis of country comparisons (2 or more international settings) in respect to issues promoting and providing Early Childhood Education

Please use United Kingdom as one of the countries.

Should include:
• an introduction, outline plan and comparative framework
• background information (to the topic and current research and issues)
• reference to, discussion of, material content, methodology and findings
• a mixture of description, critical evaluation and analysis
• a set of reasoned conclusions + pointers to potential for further study, if appropriate
• a wide-ranging, properly referenced bibliography

Please use: Clarke, J., Cochrane, A. and Gewirtz, S. (2001) Comparing Welfare States 2ed. London, SAGE Publication Ltd.
There are faxes for this order.