Fragmentation Without Cleavages? Endogenous Fractionalization in the Brazilian Party System

This article investigates the causes of party system hyperfragmentation in Brazil. We ask why — understood as extreme multipartism that continues to fractionalize occurs despite significant changes social cleavages or electoral rules. Using survey data from federal legislators, we rule out possibility new issue-based multidimensionality. estimates ideological position legislative parties, show entry was not driven by polarization convergence among traditional parties. advance an alternative explanation "fragmentation without cleavages," arguing changing dynamics list composition, funding, and coalition management have changed context political ambition. For strategically minded elites, it is more attractive than ever before be a dominant player small party.