Entropy compression versus Lovász Local Lemma

In the framework of the probabilistic method in combinatorics, we provide a systematization of the entropy compression method clarifying the setting in which it can be applied and providing a theorem yielding a general constructive criterion. We finally elucidate, through topical examples, the effectiveness of the entropy-compression criterion in comparison with the Lovász Local Lemma criterion and, in particular, with the improved criterion based on cluster expansion.