Vertical integration and stability in political careers: an analysis of the political trajectory of Arena party federal representatives in Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Abstract: This article analyzes the degree of internal cohesion within the Rio Grande do Sul state branch of the Arena Party (Aliança Renovadora Nacional). This analysis is based on an examination of the political career patterns of party members within the state house of representatives, within the four legislatures that were put together under the bi-partite system. In order to measure degree of cohesion, our analysis uses data on the party trajectories of these members of parliament as our variables. Thus, aspects such as the number of inter-party migrations, length of party membership prior to winning a seat within the House and the number of positions and mandates held will be taken as parameters of analysis. Finally, through this examination, we intend to raise some questions that may explain such things as the success that the party had in maintaining its internal structure and its members in this state, in contrast to what happened in other states of the union, where the party suffered an attrition process of the ongoing exodus of its old-timers. Keywords: political parties; authoritarianism; democracy; political careers.