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Aggregating Political Dimensions: Of the Feasibility of Political Indicators

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  • Francisco Gutiérrez Sanín
  • Diana Buitrago
  • Andrea González

Abstract

Political indicators are widely used in academic writing and decision making, but remain controversial. This paper discusses the problems related to the aggregation functions they use. Almost always, political indicators are aggregated by weighted averages or summations. The use of such functions is based on untenable assumptions (existence of homogeneous substitution rates, total compensation, and strict monotonicity). We show through concrete examples how these hidden assumptions are likely to produce results that are basically an artifact of ad hoc decisions, which additionally contradict very fundamental notions common to all credible political theories. We suggest, also through example, that some—necessarily partial—solutions are possible. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Gutiérrez Sanín & Diana Buitrago & Andrea González, 2013. "Aggregating Political Dimensions: Of the Feasibility of Political Indicators," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(1), pages 305-326, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:110:y:2013:i:1:p:305-326
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-011-9932-4
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