比较研究一直是历史研究中使用较为普遍并受到重视的研究方法之一。在中外史学发展史上,历史研究中比较方法的使用屡见不鲜。刘家和指出:“‘比较’这个词虽然产生于同时并列的事物之间,但是它一旦作为一种方法用于历史的研究上,就在原有的共时比较之外,又加上了历时性比较的方面。比较研究的基本功能不外乎明同异。横向的共时性(synchronic)的比较说明不同的国家、民族、社会集团等等之间在同一历史时期中的同异,纵向的历时性(diachronic)的比较说明同一个国家、民族、社会集团等等在不同历史时期中的同异。前者说明历史的时代特点,后者 Comparative research has always been one of the most commonly used and valued research methods in historical research. In the history of Chinese and foreign historiography, the use of comparative methods in historical studies is not uncommon. Liu Jia-he pointed out: Although the term ”comparison" arises from concurrent matters, once it is used as a method for the study of history, it is added to the original synchronic comparison The diachronic synchronic comparison shows that the similarities and differences between different countries, nations, social groups, etc. in the same historical period, Longitudinal diachronic comparisons illustrate the sameness and difference between the same nation, nation, social group, etc. in different historical periods, with the former illustrating the historical characteristics of the past, the latter