Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

Legal or procedural obstacles that make it difficult for candidates or parties to qualify for election ballots. These barriers can limit political competition and voter choice.

The process by which political parties identify, evaluate, and encourage individuals to run for public office.

Negotiations between political parties to form a coalition government by agreeing on policy priorities and cabinet positions.

The mechanisms and strategies used by political parties within a coalition government to maintain unity and ensure members support agreed policies and votes.

A government formed by multiple political parties cooperating to hold a majority.

The idea that elected officials should physically resemble the demographic characteristics of their constituents.

The theory that plurality-rule elections tend to favor a two-party system, while proportional representation encourages multiparty systems.

Cases where first-past-the-post systems support multiparty systems due to factors like regional parties or ethnic divisions.

The degree of change in voting patterns or party support between elections within a political system.

Internal divisions within a political party or movement caused by competing interests or ideologies.

A theory that parties in government restrict access to legislative benefits to maintain party unity and control over policy.

A legislative caucus is a group of lawmakers sharing common interests or party affiliation who coordinate strategies and policies.

A situation where political parties or branches of government cannot agree, preventing lawmaking or policy implementation.

A political system where multiple parties compete for power and often share governance responsibilities.

Primary elections where any registered voter can participate regardless of party affiliation.

The expectation that party members vote and act according to party policies and leadership.

A significant and lasting shift in the political party system, often changing voter coalitions and party ideologies.

The degree to which a party system is divided into multiple parties with no dominant party.

The stability and strength of political parties and their relationships within a political system over time. High institutionalization promotes predictable politics.

A major shift in the political landscape where voter loyalties and party support change significantly and persistently.

The distribution of resources or favors by politicians to supporters in exchange for political support. It can undermine democratic fairness and accountability.

A party organization that uses patronage and mobilization to maintain political control, often relying on loyalty and favors. Machines can dominate local politics.

The practice of ensuring party members vote and act according to official party policies and decisions.

The practice of giving government jobs or favors to supporters and allies as a reward for political loyalty. It can undermine merit-based governance.

An election held to select a party's candidate for a subsequent general election.

The process of redistributing seats in a legislative body based on population changes, often following a census. It affects political representation and district boundaries.

Deep divisions in society based on factors like ethnicity, religion, or class that shape political party support. These cleavages influence party systems and voting patterns.

A party official or elected leader who has a vote in selecting a party's presidential nominee, independent of primary or caucus results. Common in some party systems like the US Democrats.

Voting for candidates from different political parties for different offices in the same election, reflecting independent or mixed political preferences.

A party system dominated by two major political parties.

A party official responsible for enforcing party discipline and ensuring members vote according to party lines.

A party organization within legislatures responsible for discipline, vote counting, and ensuring member attendance.