ABSTRACT
If truly valuable comparative analyses are to be undertaken, a framework is needed to help to detect similarities and differences among governments. It was pointed out in the previous chapter that the concept of the political or governmental system could form the basis of such a framework. This will be the case if it fulfils two requirements: first, it must be applicable to all types of government; second, it must provide a yardstick with which to assess the detailed characteristics of these governments.
