Abstract

FIGUEIREDO FILHO, Dalson Britto; SILVA JUNIOR, José Alexandre da  and  ROCHA, Enivaldo Carvalho da. Classificando regimes políticos utilizando análise de conglomerados. Opin. Publica [online]. 2012, vol.18, n.1, pp. 109-128. ISSN 0104-6276.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-62762012000100006.

The principal aim of this paper is to provide a intuitive introduction to cluster analysis. Methodologically, we use data from Coppedge, Alvarez e Maldonado (2008) regarding the two dimensions of polyarchy proposed by Dahl (1971): contestation and inclusiveness. Based on these dimensions we classify political regimes in different groups (clusters) according to their similarity level. On substantive grounds, we hope to suggest a methodological tool to classify political regimes and facilitate the understanding of cluster analysis in Political Science.

Keywords : political regimes; cluster analysis; Q analysis; classification; quantitative methods.