Political conflict and institutional change in Latin America. A comparative analysis through fuzzy sets

Abstract

In the late 1980s, QCA (Qualitative Comparative Analysis) positioned itself as a qualitative alternative to quantitative studies that attempted to explain, from a comparative perspective, the analysis of more complex social and cultural formations such as countries, societies, groups or social movements. The analytical approach of this type of macro-structures, given their complexity, required research strategies that would encourage a more intensive analysis based on a reduced number of cases. The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the considerations that guide the analysis of causal configurations with fuzzy sets, showing their application through a study of the implication of transgressive contention, anti-status quo leadership and elite division in the production of institutional changes of substantial nature.

Keywords

• configuraciones causales
• conjuntos difusos
• conflicto político y cambio institucional