Comparative Methods in Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

Description

This cutting-edge book facilitates debate amongst scholars in law, humanities and social sciences, where comparative methodology is far less well anchored in most areas compared to other research methods. It posits that these are disciplines in which comparative research is not simply a bonus, but is of the essence. Featuring discussions and reflections from scholars experienced in conducting comparative research, this book considers the ways in which comparative legal research can gain important comparative, qualitative and interpretive insights from the humanities and from the social sciences. Chapters examine contrasting comparative legal versus historical approaches, comparative sociology, comparative religion, comparative (legal) anthropology, comparative philosophy, comparative economics and more. Additionally, the book considers the challenges that lie ahead, not just for comparative legal research, but for comparative disciplines as a whole. Of the many challenges that are identified and discussed, the book concludes that comparative research can especially be further developed when it is also understood as a research design, instead of just a method. Inspiring and progressive, this book will be a crucial reference point for both research students and experienced researchers who are embarking on comparative research within the disciplines of law, humanities and social sciences. Contents List of contributors Preface 1 Comparative disciplines: an introduction • Maurice Adams 2 Methods of legal history and comparative law • Geoffrey Samuel 3 Comparative legal history • Kjell Å Modéer 4 Comparative sociology: epistemological issues • Jean-Pascal Daloz 5 Elements of a comparative methodology in the study of religion • Oliver Freiberger 6 Comparative methods in legal anthropology: ‘thick’ comparison through (cultural) translation • Katrin Seidel 7 The comparative advantage of cultural anthropology • Peter van der Veer 8 Methods in comparative politics • Mathew Y.H. Wong 9 Comparative philosophy and comparison • Ralph Weber 10 Between comparison and commensuration: the trouble with global social indicators • David Nelken 11 Particularism versus universalism in the history of comparative literature • Angus Nicholls 12 Comparing across societies and disciplines • Mark Van Hoecke 13 Conclusion: challenges of comparison • Maurice Adams and Mark Van Hoecke Index