Original scientific paper
SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF “RED” AND “BLACK” CROATIA: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY
Marko Grdešić
; Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, U.S.A.
Abstract
Does the division between “red” and “black” Croatia exist not only in ideological
space but in actual geographical space? Which factors are associated
with local and regional political behavior and political identities? This article
uses spatial analysis to provide answers to these questions. Visual analysis is
used as are multivariate models based on the idea of spatial dependence, i.e.
spatial clustering and agglomeration. Units of analysis are municipalities and
cities in Croatia. The analysis suggests that the most relevant factors are prior
political choices of a locale and the political preferences of neighboring locales.
Economic and demographic factors are not unimportant but are weaker
determinants of the political choices of a county or city. The analysis suggests
a high degree of local and regional fortification of political parties. The space for
political competition is comparatively open in Slavonia, especially in its
northwestern part.
Keywords
Spatial Analysis; Spatial Dependence; Croatia; Political Parties; Elections
Hrčak ID:
101124
URI
Publication date:
26.4.2013.
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