Clivages, régions et science politique: application d'un schéma d'analyse aux cas de la Suisse et de la Belgique

Abstract
The purpose of this article is to create a method for determining regions which is suitable for political science. The criteria proposed to define a “political region” are based on the concepts of political cleavages and party systems. Applying this framework of analysis to Belgium and Switzerland makes it possible to establish two very different kinds of regions. In the case of Switzerland, the proposed political regions do not correspond to linguistic areas but are instead combinations of religious and industrial factors. On the other hand, in the case of Belgium the suggested political regions reflect the tensions among the Flemings, Walloons, residents of Brussels, and German-speaking Belgians.