Political Terminology

Front

A process of cooperation through compromise.

Back

Bipartisanship

Front

An election that represents a sudden, clear, and long-term shift in voter allegiances.

Back

critical election

Front

a condition in which one or more houses of the legislature is controlled by the party in opposition to the executive

Back

divided government

Front

a system in which the winner of an election is the candidate who wins the greatest number of votes cast, also known as plurality voting

Back

first-past-the-post

Front

The manipulation of legislative districts in an attempt to favor a particular candidate.

Back

gerrymandering

Front

A type of election in which the winning candidate must receive at least 50% of the votes, even if a run-off election is required.

Back

majoritarian voting

Front

the legislative party with over half the seats in a legislative body, and thus significant power to control the agenda

Back

majority party

Front

the legislative party with fewer than half the seats in a legislative body

Back

minority party

Front

An individual who falls in the middle of the ideological spectrum.

Back

moderate

Front

Individuals who represent themselves in public as being part of a party.

Back

Party Identifiers