This article introduces the Comparative Legislators Database (CLD). Researchers often face scattered and inaccessible resources when studying political representatives. The CLD addresses this gap by combining data from open-collaboration platforms with renowned political science datasets.
Data Integration Approach
The project brings together comprehensive information on over 45,000 politicians spanning ten different countries.
Access & Usability FeaturesThe database includes diverse details like political affiliations, sociodemographics, career trajectories, online profiles, public attention metrics, and visual data. An R package makes accessing the standardized micro-data straightforward, eliminating barriers for comparative analysis.
Verification MethodsTo ensure accuracy, CLD information is cross-checked against human-coded datasets.
Practical ApplicationsThe authors demonstrate how to use CLD's unique capabilities to analyze legislator prominence and career turnover. This resource serves as a central hub advancing individual-level comparative research across extended historical periods.
