The comparative method provides a unique way to study politics as it is a more efficient way that

helps researchers and theorists to understand the similarities, draw contrasts, and run a causal
analysis. Anything that will allow them to understand politics and theorize all the relevant
political elements. There are three such methods:

1. Parallel Demonstration of Theory:

In this method, cases are juxtaposed, and then the given theory is applied to show how
the theory works across all such cases. The cases with the maximum number of similarities are
chosen. Hence, this method is generally used to develop and demonstrate a theory. One of the
main limitations of this method is case selection because it is challenging to develop a criterion
for selection.

2. Contrast-Oriented:

For this method, cases that are maximally different are chosen, and the main objective of
this method is to establish contrasts between the cases and not to develop a theory. This is to find
a correlation between the cases.

3. Macro-Causal Analysis:

This analysis helps find the causes of political events using empirical data. There are
necessary and sufficient conditions to find cases with similar causes. This method is limited
because it is not testing a theory. However, it does allow for within-case analysis and cross-case
analysis.

All of these methods are significant and can complement one another well. Hence, the triangle of
comparative history also explains that the parallel demonstration method uses theory, the
contrast-oriented method uses themes, and the macro-causal analysis uses bounded
generalization. All these methods are unique and allow researchers to do within-case and cross-
case analyses effectively.