A MODULE IN PUBLIC FINANCE

MODULE 1
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the session, students can:
1) Start making a comparative analysis of public finance policies of two (2) countries using a guide.
2) Complete an in-depth comparative analysis of public finance policies developed on an issue
which can be across country policies on an issue, or a comparison of the evolution of a policy.
Introduction
Throughout the students’ academic career, they will be asked to write papers to compare and contrast two
things: two texts, two theories, two historical figures, two scientific processes, and so on. Classic
compare-and-contrast papers to weight A and B equally, may be about two similar things that have
crucial differences (two pesticides with different effects on the environment) or two similar things that
have crucial differences, yet turn out to have surprising commonalities (two politicians with vastly
different world views who voice unexpectedly similar perspectives on sexual harassment).

In the "lens" (or "keyhole") comparison, to weight A less heavily than B, we use A as a lens through
which to view B. Just as looking through a pair of glasses changes the way we see an object, using A as a
framework for understanding B changes the way we see B. Lens comparisons are useful for illuminating,
critiquing, or challenging the stability of a thing that, before the analysis, seemed perfectly understood.
Often, lens comparisons take time into account: earlier texts, events, or historical figures may illuminate
later ones, and vice versa.

Faced with a daunting list of seemingly unrelated similarities and differences, we may feel confused
about how to construct a paper that is not just a mechanical exercise to first state all the features that A
and B have in common, and then state all the ways in which A and B are different. Predictably, the thesis
of such a paper is usually an assertion that A and B are very similar yet not so similar after all. To write a
good compare-and-contrast paper, we must take our raw data, the similarities and differences we have
observed, and make them cohere into a meaningful argument.

This first chapter will present rudiments in constructing an analysis by comparing two (2) public finance
policies across countries out of a developing issue.

Activities

 Reflection Paper. Read and reflect on the article Country comparison Malaysia versus the
Philippines (2019). Retrieved from
https://countryeconomy.com/countries/compare/malaysia/philippines
 Small Group Discussion/Group Work. Make a group reflection paper following the given
format.
 Oral Presentation. The reflection paper will be presented by your group representative
immediately after the submission of a copy of the reflection paper.

Acquisition of New Knowledge (Live Lecture-Discussion via Chat, Zoom or Chat Session)
Contents:

 Meaning of Comparative Analysis

 Comparison and Contrast Narrative Writing
 Brainstorming
 Points for Discussion
 Thesis
 Organizational Scheme
 Method
 Conclusion
 Transitional Phrases
 Contents Outline
o Introduction
 Frame of Reference
 Grounds for Comparison
 Thesis
o Body (Point-by-Point Method)
 Main Idea Statement
 Points about A with Evidence
 Points about B with Evidence
 Linking of A and B
 Concluding Statement
o Conclusion
 Summary of Main Points
 Restating the Thesis
 Enlightening Statement

KEY CONCEPTS
Brainstorming Conclusion
Comparative Analysis Method
Narrative Writing Organizational Scheme
Points for Discussion Transitional Phrases

Application
 Create a PowerPoint presentation detailing your findings about two (2) public finance policy
founded on an issue. Include a chart or table that compares aspects of each policy side-by-side.
Be sure to answer the following questions:
o What is the issue?
o What are the two policies developed? Clearly explain the goals, objectives, and measures
of both policies.
o What led to the development of each policy?
o How are they different?
o How are they similar?
o Which is more effective?

Assessments
  Quiz. (None)

 Chapter Synthesis. Refer to the Guide. The chapter synthesis shall be passed immediately after
the entire chapter has been presented and discussed.

 Recitation

Assignment (For 5 points each, describe the following terms.)

 Organizational vision,
 Organizational mission,
 Organizational goals,
 Organizational objectives, and
 Organizational values.

References

Country comparison Malaysia versus the Philippines (2019). Retrieved from

https://countryeconomy.com/countries/compare/malaysia/philippines

Key elements of comparative analysis paper. (December 20, 2018). Retrieved from analyzedu.com

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Comparative analysis is an item-by-item comparison of two or more comparable alternatives, processes,

products, qualifications, sets of data, systems, countries, or the like.

WRITING

 Comparison narrative illustrates how two or more people are similar.

 Contrast illustrates how two counties are different.
 In most academic writing, the two are combined to analyze.
 In essence, an extended analogy will be created.
 An analogy explains one thing by comparing/contrasting it to a more familiar thing.

BRAINSTORMING SESSION

 As a small-group, brainstorm the similarities and differences between the Philippines and a country
of choice.
 Mention similarities and differences on anything about the countries, but this is not the main point of
emphasis.
 Organize the answers into a Venn diagram. Be sure to write your name on it.

POINTS FOR DISCUSSION

 Determine the focus of your piece.

 Determine if the focus will be on the similarities, the differences, or both.
 Be sure to treat each country the same. Each country deserves the same amount of focus. Meaning,
do not place most of the emphasis on the Philippines or the other country.
 Find a balance.

THESIS

 Identify not only the country being compared and contrasted, but also the overall point made. In
other words, what is your message?
 Indicate if the focus is on merely the similarities or differences, or both.
 What general statement can be made about the Philippines and the other country?
 Whether the paper focuses primarily on difference or similarity, there is a need to make the
relationship between A and B clear in your thesis.
 The introduction consists of a frame of reference, grounds for comparison, and thesis statement.

ORGANIZATIONAL SCHEME

 Person-by-person method – discussing all of A, then all of B. Ex. Talk first about yourself, then
discuss your other student.

 Point-by-point/Feature-by-feature method – alternating points about A with comparable points about

B. Outlines focus on the topics of similarities or differences and then view each item in comparison
which can support any number of items to compare as it will be the topics that form the paragraphs.
Ex. Talk briefly about yourself and then connect the other student similarly or differently to the
argument. Then repeat this again.

CHOOSE POINT-BY-POINT METHOD

 Choose the point-by-point method and stick with it.

 Always, as usual, link the points back to the thesis or main point so that the audience can clearly see
how each section logically and systematically advances the argument.

CONCLUSION

 The conclusion should summarize the main points in the narrative, as well as emphasize the thesis
statement in new words.
 Leave the audience with “food for thought” or enlightening reason for the work.
 Be sure the conclusion is not merely the introduction rehashed.
 Extend on the main points in the essay.

TRANSITIONAL PHRASES

To Compare – Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to, comparatively,
accordingly, in the same way, comparative to, as, also, in conjunction with this

To Contrast – On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in
contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may
be true

EXAMPLE

1. Introduction
a. Introduce Items
i. First Work – The Lord of the Rings Trilogy had ample preparation time, budget, and a generous
release schedule but used practical effects to attain greater realism and focused more on story telling
rather than “filmable moments” that added little to the plot.
ii. Second Work – The Hobbit Trilogy did not have the preparation time, budget, or generous
release schedule in order to be successful films.
b. Thesis Statement
i. When comparing the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Hobbit Trilogy, it is clear that preparation
time, budget, special effects, and a well-spaced release schedule can have a tremendous effect on film
quality.
2. Preparation Time
a. Hobbit Trilogy Examples
b. Lord of the Rings Examples
3. Budget
a. Hobbit Trilogy Examples
b. Lord of the Rings Examples
4. Release Schedule
a. Hobbit Trilogy Examples
b. Lord of the Rings Examples
5. Practical Effects/CGI
a. Hobbit Trilogy Examples
b. Lord of the Rings Examples
6. Conclusion
a. Restate Thesis
b. Summarize how you proved your argument

Topics for Writing:

Choose one of the essay topics below, and write a comparison or contrast essay. For the four remaining
topics, write a thesis statement for each.
1) Compare or contrast two musical styles, such as classical and contemporary reggae.
2) Compare or contrast two restaurants or clubs.
3) Compare or contrast doing research at the library with doing research on the Internet.
4) Compare or contrast living on campus with living off campus. Compare or contrast raising children
in a city and raising children in a small town