Glossary

The principle that elected officials are responsible to the citizens and can be held answerable for their actions, often facilitated by fair election rules and regular electoral cycles.

The responsibility of political parties, especially those in power, to answer for their actions and policies to the electorate, often through regular elections where voters can reward or punish their performance.

The legal and procedural requirements that candidates and political parties must meet to have their names placed on an election ballot.

The regulations and practices governing how money is raised and spent by political candidates, parties, and interest groups in an election.

A strategy used by regimes to absorb or incorporate potential opposition groups or individuals into the political system, often by offering them minor positions or benefits, thereby neutralizing their challenge.

The ability of a regime to maintain its power and suppress opposition, often achieved through manipulating election rules, restricting freedoms, and limiting political competition.

A system where the government interacts primarily with a limited number of officially recognized, often peak, interest groups (e.g., labor unions, business associations) to formulate and implement public policy.

The geographical lines that define electoral constituencies, determining which voters are grouped together to elect a representative.

A political system where one political party consistently holds power for an extended period, often winning successive elections with large majorities, even if other parties are legally allowed to exist.

A formal process through which citizens cast votes to select individuals for public office, serving as a primary mechanism for democratic participation and leadership selection.

An electoral system, also known as Single-Member District (SMD), where voters cast a vote for one candidate in their district, and the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve a majority.

A coherent set of beliefs, values, and principles that guides a political party's goals, policies, and vision for society.

Organizations that represent specific interests or causes and attempt to influence public policy without seeking to directly elect their members to office.

The belief among citizens that a government's rule is rightful and authoritative, which regimes often seek to enhance through controlled elections.

A voting outcome where a candidate or party receives more than half (over 50%) of the total votes cast.

Electoral systems that combine elements of both plurality/majority (like FPTP) and proportional representation, often by having some seats allocated by district and others by national party vote.

The process by which political parties encourage and organize citizens to participate in political activities, such as voting, campaigning, or attending rallies.

A political system in which multiple political parties compete for power, often leading to coalition governments as no single party typically wins a majority of seats.

A political system in which only one political party is legally permitted to hold power, effectively eliminating political competition and often characteristic of authoritarian regimes.

The internal structure and hierarchy of a political party, including its local branches, national leadership, committees, and methods for decision-making.

The level of citizen involvement in the political process, which can be encouraged or discouraged by the design of election rules, such as voter registration requirements or accessibility of polling places.

A group of individuals organized around a shared ideology or set of policy goals, seeking to gain and exercise political power by electing its members to public office.

The ability of a political party's leadership to ensure that its elected members vote and act in accordance with the party's official policies and positions.

The formal affiliation of an individual with a political party, often involving registration, payment of dues, and opportunities to participate in party activities and decision-making.

A system where numerous diverse interest groups freely compete with each other to influence government policy, with no single group or type of group dominating the political process.

A voting outcome where a candidate or party receives the most votes, but not necessarily more than half of the total votes cast.

The process by which political parties develop and propose specific governmental programs, laws, and strategies to address societal issues and achieve their ideological goals.

An electoral system where the number of seats a political party wins in a legislature is directly proportional to the percentage of votes it receives in the election.

The extent to which an electoral system ensures that the diverse views, interests, and demographic groups within a population are reflected in the legislature.

The role of political parties in articulating and advocating for the interests and preferences of various groups within society, translating citizen demands into policy proposals.

Large, informal, and often spontaneous groups of people who come together to advocate for broad social or political change, typically operating outside traditional political institutions.

The degree to which a political system maintains order and avoids frequent changes in government or widespread unrest, which can be influenced by the design of electoral rules.

A political system in which two major political parties consistently dominate the electoral landscape, typically alternating in power or forming the primary opposition.

The process by which citizens formally enroll with election authorities to become eligible to cast a ballot in an election.

The act of formally expressing a choice or opinion, typically in an election, to select candidates for public office or to decide on a policy issue.