Characterizing Properties for Q-Clustering
  We uniquely characterize two members of the Q-Clustering family in an axiomatic framework. We introduce properties that use known tree constructions for the purpose of characterization. To characterize the Max-Sum clustering algorithm, we use the Gomory-Hu construction, and to characterize Single-Linkage, we use the Maximum Spanning Tree. Although at first glance it seems these properties are `obviously' all that are necessary to characterize Max-Sum and Single-Linkage, we show that this is not the case, by investigating how subsets of properties interact. We conclude by proposing additions to the taxonomy of clustering paradigms currently in use. 
Reza Bosagh Zadeh and Gunnar Carlsson
cs.DS cs.DM