Paper #1017

Título:

What other sciences look like

Autor:

Josep M. Colomer

Fecha:

Marzo 2007

Resumen:

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.

Palabras clave:

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

Códigos JEL:

C00, C01, C02

Publicado en:

European Political Science, 6, 2, May 2007

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