A gray zone is a concept in its own right, not a diminished subtype.

Evidence

1. One way scholars have thought about the gray zone is via “diminished subtypes.” As always, careful attention to terminology can reveal problems. This term is triply problematic: (1) diminished, (2) sub, and (3) types. … If one follows the guideline about conceptualizing key concepts specifically, the gray zone is not a “sub” type, but a concept in its own right. The same sort of issue arises with “diminished.” For example, the gray zone is more democratic than autocracy and less democratic than full democracy. Using this terminology it could be an “augmented autocracy” as well as “diminished democracy.” In short, the diminished subtype methodology is flawed on a variety of dimensions. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts and Measurement, 1178

Categorization

• DEFINE: Dissects the label ‘diminished subtype’ word by word to show each part smuggles in an unjustified assumption about the gray zone’s status.
• CANDY: ‘Augmented autocracy’ is the mirror-image label nobody uses — a fun one-liner for anyone who works with regime typologies.