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<p>Asymmetrical causality is a much underutilized strength of QCA (Qualitative Comparative Analysis). The heterogeneity of negative cases complicates interpreting the solution for ~ Y into a plausible, generalizable explanation. Moreover, QCA’s asymmetry is partial only, using the same conditions for Y and ~ Y. This paper develops a heuristic that overcomes these limitations. It interprets the solution for Y as causal powers ‘producing’ Y and the solution for ~ Y as constraints ‘blocking’ these causal powers. Researchers do not develop a causal explanation linking the presence of a configuration (cause) to ~ Y but interpret configurations in the solution for ~ Y as constraints for Y. That is, researchers do not explain the occurrence of ~ Y but the non-occurrence of Y. This circumvents the heterogeneity and partial asymmetry plaguing (causal) explanations for ~ Y in QCA and leads to deeper insights in the causes and constraints for Y, which is anyway the main focus of QCA studies.</p>

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A heuristic for asymmetrical causality in QCA

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月11日

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  • Roel Rutten

摘要

Asymmetrical causality is a much underutilized strength of QCA (Qualitative Comparative Analysis). The heterogeneity of negative cases complicates interpreting the solution for ~ Y into a plausible, generalizable explanation. Moreover, QCA’s asymmetry is partial only, using the same conditions for Y and ~ Y. This paper develops a heuristic that overcomes these limitations. It interprets the solution for Y as causal powers ‘producing’ Y and the solution for ~ Y as constraints ‘blocking’ these causal powers. Researchers do not develop a causal explanation linking the presence of a configuration (cause) to ~ Y but interpret configurations in the solution for ~ Y as constraints for Y. That is, researchers do not explain the occurrence of ~ Y but the non-occurrence of Y. This circumvents the heterogeneity and partial asymmetry plaguing (causal) explanations for ~ Y in QCA and leads to deeper insights in the causes and constraints for Y, which is anyway the main focus of QCA studies.