What is the Difference Between Comparative Politics and Comparative Government?

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Comparative politics and comparative government are related but distinct fields of study within political science. The main differences between them are:

  • Scope: Comparative politics is a broader field that studies and compares different political systems, theories, and practices of various countries. In contrast, comparative government is a sub-division of comparative politics that focuses specifically on the study, analysis, and comparison of different government systems around the world.
  • Subject Matter: Comparative politics examines a wide range of political aspects, including governance, foreign policies, political institutions, political behavior, conflict, and the causes and consequences of economic development. Comparative government, on the other hand, is limited to comparing different forms of governmental bodies, such as legislatures, executives, and judiciaries.

In summary, comparative politics is a broader field that encompasses the study of various political systems, theories, and practices, while comparative government is a specific sub-division of comparative politics that focuses on comparing different government systems around the world.

Comparative Table: Comparative Politics vs Comparative Government

The difference between comparative politics and comparative government is subtle but important. Here is a table highlighting the key distinctions:

Feature Comparative Politics Comparative Government
Scope Studies and compares different theories and political practices of countries. Focuses on the study, analysis, and comparison of different government systems around the world.
Subject Matter Encompasses political aspects such as governance and foreign policies. Primarily concerned with the nature of governments in selected countries.
Relationship Comparative politics is a wider field, while comparative government is a sub-division of it. Comparative government is a specific area of study within the broader field of comparative politics.

In summary, comparative politics is a broader field that examines political systems, theories, and practices across multiple countries, while comparative government is a sub-division of this field that specifically focuses on the study and comparison of different government systems worldwide.