A Rejoinder to Schneider and Haverland

Abstract

In their response to my discussion paper, Gerald Schneider and Markus Haverland focus on the issue of variation versus similarity. Schneider insists that I wish to move comparative politics towards similarity analyses only. This is not the case. Yes, variation is important. But there are similarity puzzles that merit attention. We should keep open the possibility of similarity analysis as a legitimate option for research. I agree with Haverland's helpful point that variation is not the only route to explanation.