Paper #1017

Title:

What other sciences look like

Author:

Josep M. Colomer

Date:

March 2007

Abstract:

In order to have references for discussing mathematical menus in political science, I review the most common types of mathematical formulae used in physics and chemistry, as well as some mathematical advances in economics. Several issues appear relevant: variables should be well defined and measurable; the relationships between variables may be non-linear; the direction of causality should be clearly identified and not assumed on a priori grounds. On these bases, theoretically-driven equations on political matters can be validated by empirical tests and can predict observable phenomena.

Keywords:

Natural and social sciences, econometrics, political science methods, mathematical models, regression analysis

JEL codes:

C00, C01, C02

Published in:

European Political Science, 6, 2, May 2007

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