Abstract
This article aims to provide elements for understanding the structure of partisanship in Brazil, investigating the socioeconomic, attitudinal, ideological, and behavioral components of the different kinds of voters in the country. It uses the grade of membership method to create a multidimensional typology of voters, outlining three extreme profiles: the politically sophisticated skeptical radicals, the socially disadvantaged apathetic, and the politically engaged moderates. The analysis suggested that a significant part of Brazilian voters shows some willingness to get involved in politics and identify with a party, despite existing and perceptible apathy and political dissatisfaction. However, it seems that both positive and negative attitudes towards political parties are associated with higher levels of cognitive sophistication.
partisanship; political behavior; party identification; antipartisanship; grade of membership