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.
| Bridging the Pond: Measuring Policy Positions in the United States and Europe was authored by Cory Belden, Christopher Hare and Ryan Bakker. It was published by Cambridge in PSR&M in 2020. |
