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Advancing Explanation in Comparative Politics by Applying Social Mechanisms and Statistical Models
Unformatted Document Text:  Advancing Explanation in Comparative Politics by Applying Social Mechanisms and Statistical Models Alan S. Zuckerman Brown University Draft Chapter for Comparative Politics: Rationality, Culture, and Structure, (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming 2007) Abstract The paper addresses the problem of explanation in comparative politics. Accepting the principles of methodological individualism, the analysis equates social mechanism with the general class of explanatory principles. Successful explanations join social mechanisms with rigorous empirical analyses. Advances in statistical modeling allow the application of these methods of detailing and defending the validity of the empirical claims to complex, reciprocal, and multi-level political phenomena, the stuff of comparative politics. The paper illustrates these general principles. It offers theoretical support for reciprocal political influence in households and it tests this interpretation against alternative social mechanisms, matters of importance in the politics of Germany and Britain, and it employs appropriate statistical methods to model these complex reciprocal relationships. More generally, seeking to demonstrate the power of the explanation offered –and not just to offer a plausible account or a story in line with theoretical principles the explanatory power of its claims –the analysis insists on the need of both social mechanisms and rigorous empirical tests. Paper prepared for Presentation at the 2006 Annual Meetings of the American Political Science Association, Philadelphia PA, August 30-September 1.

Authors: Zuckerman, Alan.
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Advancing Explanation in Comparative Politics by
Applying Social Mechanisms and Statistical Models
Alan S. Zuckerman
Brown University
Draft Chapter for Comparative Politics: Rationality, Culture, and Structure, (Cambridge
University Press, forthcoming 2007)
Abstract
The paper addresses the problem of explanation in comparative politics. Accepting the
principles of methodological individualism, the analysis equates social mechanism with the
general class of explanatory principles. Successful explanations join social mechanisms with
rigorous empirical analyses. Advances in statistical modeling allow the application of these
methods of detailing and defending the validity of the empirical claims to complex, reciprocal,
and multi-level political phenomena, the stuff of comparative politics. The paper illustrates these
general principles. It offers theoretical support for reciprocal political influence in households
and it tests this interpretation against alternative social mechanisms, matters of importance in the
politics of Germany and Britain, and it employs appropriate statistical methods to model these
complex reciprocal relationships. More generally, seeking to demonstrate the power of the
explanation offered –and not just to offer a plausible account or a story in line with theoretical
principles the explanatory power of its claims –the analysis insists on the need of both social
mechanisms and rigorous empirical tests.
Paper prepared for Presentation at the 2006 Annual Meetings of the American Political Science
Association, Philadelphia PA, August 30-September 1.


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