Question

Difference between traditional and modern approach of comparative politics jstor

Answer 1

Broadly speaking, there are generally two approaches to study comparative politics. These are Traditional and Modern approaches of comparative politics.

The traditional approaches are mostly legal, institutional, historical, descriptive in nature, while the modern approach is scientific, rational and analytical. The legal approach to comparative politics has scholars like Widrow Wilson, A.v dicey etc., they emphacise on the study of purely political institutions, constitutions, Acts and legislature. They compare the functions performed by different institutions. These approaches lack social, economic, cultural, behavioural factors. They ignore informal institutions like political parties, civil societies etc.

On the other hand, Modern approaches to comparative politics are analytical, more probing and more systematic. In this approaches, scholars like David Easton, Stephen wasby focus on the periphery of the political institutions as well and seek to discover the relations with the political systems. This approaches lay emphasis on input-output, political development, and other associated things of political systems.

Hence both the approaches have their importance in studying different political systems in their respected contexts.

Answer 2

Difference between the traditional and modern approaches of comparative politics-

1. Traditional approach of comparative politics emphasizes the involvement of values and minute observations of the measures and gestures. It highlights the historical aspects and significance of the governmental bodies and the descriptive study of the laws. It equally focuses on values and the ethical aspect. Some of the forms of traditional approaches are listed below-

a. historical approach

b. legal approach

c. institutional approach

2. Dissatisfied with the traditional approach, the modern approach of comparative politics surfaced. Unlike the traditional approach, the modern approach emphasizes facts and data. It is more realistic and practical. It is accurate and authentic. This pragmatic approach of comparative politics uses quantitative methods like statistical diagrams and numerical data. It aims to study politics as a whole. Some of the approaches of the modern method are-

a. system approach

b. decision-making approach