Area Studies, Comparative Area Studies, and the Study of Politics: Context, Substance, and Methodological Challenges

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.