The following is a list of names and descriptions of variables in the data set that are most relevant to the discussion of the preceding chapters. For many of these variables, it was necessary to create separate versions to accord with the principal alternative definitions of government membership utilized in this study. There are four principal definitions:

1. C: parties actually in the cabinet.

2. CFS: the preceding plus parties that formally agree to support the cabinet.

3. CDS: the preceding plus parties that openly declare that they will support the cabinet.

4. CAS: the preceding plus parties that do not declare themselves supporters but are considered by sources as such.

In addition, variables relating to the majority or minimal winning status of governments have two extra versions to account for parties that abstain in favor of the cabinet. These versions accord with the following definitions of government membership:

1. 5. CDSA: government composition as in definition 3, but parties that openly commit themselves to abstain are subtracted from the total size of the parliament.

2. 6. CASA: government composition as in definition 4, but parties that commit themselves or are considered by sources as committed to abstaining are subtracted from the total size of the parliament.

The variables created in the four main versions are indicated with a single asterisk; those that are available in all six versions have a double asterisk. Because the definition of government membership also affects the number and duration of governments, all analyses must be performed on a data subset that incorporates a particular definition.