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Area studies, comparative area studies, and the study of politics: Context, substance, and methodological challenges

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Zusammenfassung

Dieser Artikel biete eine Einführung in jüngere Debatten über Area Studies und ihren weniger bekannten „Cousin“ Vergleichende Area Studies. Obwohl aus politikwissenschaftlicher Perspektive verfasst, beziehen sich viele der in dem Artikel behandelten Aspekte auch auf andere Disziplinen. Wir zeigen zunächst einige der Entwicklungen und Debatten auf, die auf die Area Studies seit Ende des Kalten Krieges eingewirkt haben. Im Anschluss weisen wir auf einige zeitgenössische Verständnisse von Area Studies hin und präsentieren unsere eigene Definition von Vergleichenden Area Studies. Die Bedeutung sowohl von Area Studies als auch Vergleichenden Area Studies wird in einem weiteren Schritt herausgearbeitet. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit gilt im Folgenden zwei methodologischen Herausforderungen, vor denen Vergleichende Area Studies stehen: der Gebrauch von Konzepten und die Auswahl geeigneter Forschungsstrategien. Eine Zusammenfassung der zentralen Punkte schließt das Papier ab.

Abstract

This article provides an introduction to recent debates on area studies and its less well-known ‘cousin’ comparative area studies. Though written from a political science angle, many of the aspects covered in the article equally apply to other disciplines. We begin by noting the developments and debates that have accompanied area studies since the end of the Cold War. We then highlight some contemporary understandings of area studies and present our own definition of comparative area studies. The importance of both area studies and comparative area studies is spelled out in a further section. Two of the methodological challenges comparative area studies are faced with-the use of concepts and the choice of research strategies-are subsequently addressed in some detail. The paper closes by summing up the main points raised.

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Basedau, M., Köllner, P. Area studies, comparative area studies, and the study of politics: Context, substance, and methodological challenges. Z Vgl Polit Wiss 1, 105–124 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12286-007-0009-3

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