Drawing a sharp boundary through the competitive-authoritarian gray zone is deeply problematic.

Evidence

The alternative—recommended here—is to use the overall scope, which is all state-years, to code the data set. The rationale for this should be obvious by now. To draw a bright red line through the competitive–authoritarian gray zone is deeply problematic. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts and Measurement, 1213

Categorization

• APHORISMS: Reads as transferable advice: when reality is a gradient, forcing a bright red line manufactures false precision.