Chapter 5: Exploring the Intersection of Comparative and Intercultural Education: Pursuing a Unified Methodological Model

As our world becomes progressively more culturally diverse, it is essential to comprehend the influence of cultural factors on individual mental processes and the formation of social capital. This understanding is vital for effectively addressing cultural differences in our daily lives. Furthermore, the role of comparative education in this context is of significant relevance. One possible approach to navigating this complexity is to develop a comprehensive intellectual framework that encapsulates cultural similarities and differences. This framework would serve as a valuable resource for enhancing our understanding of society’s diversity. However, creating such an extensive encyclopaedia of global diversity remains a challenging endeavour due to the dynamic nature of social processes and the multitude of interpretations involved. Thus, the question arises: how can we formulate a rational model to effectively engage with cultural diversity? This article aims to underscore the importance of comparative education in the development of such a model. It will also acknowledge the evolving role of comparativists, highlighting key components such as dialogic memory, narrative, and intercultural communication methods that contribute significantly to managing cultural diversity. In this light, comparative and intercultural education are increasingly converging regarding research methodologies. The following discussion will introduce shared research methods and tools within both sub-disciplines while exploring the pursuit of a process-oriented model for describing and explaining our diverse, multicultural, and multifaceted reality.