# README for "Legitimation Amid Dependence (1960-2010): A Dataset on the Determinants of Authoritarian Legitimation Strategies"

## General Information

- **Title**: Legitimation Amid Dependence (1960-2010): A Dataset on the Determinants of Authoritarian Legitimation Strategies
- **Creator**: Farah Aly  
  **Affiliation**: School of Social Sciences, Quantitative Social Science Methods, University of Mannheim, Politische Wissenschaft
- **Date of Creation**: 30 May 2024  
- **Date Deposited**: 22 July 2024  

## Project Overview

This dataset forms a core component of a research project examining the relationship between external dependence and authoritarian legitimation strategies. Specifically, it explores how increased dependence on foreign influence affects the strategic shift from ideological to pragmatic legitimation methods in authoritarian regimes. Integrating data from the Foreign Bilateral Influence Capacity Index and V-Dem's Regime Legitimation Expert Survey (RLES) Indicators, this dataset supports robust analysis of strategic adaptations in governance under external pressures.

## Dataset Content and Structure

The dataset contains three primary files:

1. **Data Preparation Script** (`data_prep.Rmd`, 24kB): This R Markdown file provides the code used to clean, process, and structure the data. It is essential for users aiming to replicate the data preparation steps or adjust data preprocessing for their analyses.
   
2. **Data Analysis Script** (`data_analysis.Rmd`, 25kB): This R Markdown file contains the code for statistical analyses performed on the dataset. Researchers can use or adapt these analyses to explore additional hypotheses or compare methods.

3. **Dataset** (`legitimation_dependence_1960_2010.csv`, 2MB): This CSV file holds the primary data, covering panel data on authoritarian legitimation strategies from 1960 to 2010. Each row represents an observation of legitimation strategies and related factors for various regimes over time.

## Keywords

Authoritarianism, Legitimation Strategies, Ideological Legitimation, Pragmatic Legitimation, External Dependence, Authoritarian Adaptation, Political Science

## Usage Notes

This dataset and accompanying scripts can be used for research on authoritarian governance, political science, and international relations. Users are encouraged to:
- **Cite** this dataset in any publications or presentations that use or reference it.
- **Adapt** the provided scripts to tailor the analysis to their research questions.  
- **Review** variable definitions and coding within the scripts for consistent application in replication studies.

## Access and Licensing

- **Repository URL**: [MaData Repository, University of Mannheim](https://madata.bib.uni-mannheim.de/460/)
- **Availability**: Open Access, downloadable by any interested researchers.
- **License**: [CC0 1.0 Universal](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

## Citation

Please cite this dataset as:  
Aly, F. (2024). *Legitimation Amid Dependence (1960-2010): A Dataset on the Determinants of Authoritarian Legitimation Strategies*. University of Mannheim, MADATA Repository. Available at https://doi.org/10.7801/460.

## Additional Information

For detailed guidance on replication and analysis using this dataset, or if you encounter issues, please contact the author.