Political trajectories from brazilians’ states: the local base of state assemblies

Abstract

Understanding the path to regional office is strategic for revealing the political dynamics of each state, as well as the progression trajectory to the main national posts. How does one become a state parliamentarian? In order to elucidate this path, westudied 1,152 deputies from seven Brazilian states (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Ceará and Goiás) during four legislative terms (1947-1963). The longitudinal analysis of previous posts revealed a preponderance at municipal level, but different patterns emerged among the states. Considering politics from the perspective of the federated units is an interpretative model to provide a more adequate understanding of national politics, revealing regional peculiarities and adding to the debates on regionalism, federalism and comparative politics.