Recent studies have used expert surveys to map cross-national party ideologies into a common space.

This paper compares two bridging methods: fictional vignettes and direct assessments by U.S.-based scholars familiar with European politics.

Methodology Comparison:

• Anchoring Vignette Approach (using hypothetical scenarios)

• Direct Expert Placement Method (by transatlantic scholars)

Key Findings:

• Cross-national data shows mixed convergence/divergence patterns.

• Distinct parallels emerge on international economic integration issues.

These findings suggest expert-based methods can effectively overcome the challenge of comparing political systems across different regions.