Glossary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
One of the two major political parties in Nigeria, generally considered center-right and advocating for a market economy and individual freedom.
Example:
The All Progressives Congress successfully challenged the long-standing dominance of the PDP in recent Nigerian elections.
Authoritarian (Regime Type)
A form of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms, where individual submission to the state is emphasized.
Example:
China and Iran are examples of countries with an authoritarian regime type, where the state controls most aspects of public and private life.
Catch-all parties
Political parties that broaden their appeal to attract a wide range of voters from different social groups and ideologies, often by adopting less specific policy positions.
Example:
In the UK, both the Conservative and Labour parties often act as catch-all parties, trying to appeal to a diverse electorate rather than a narrow ideological base.
Clientelism
A social hierarchy where patrons provide resources or favors to clients in exchange for political support, often involving the exchange of goods for votes.
Example:
Efforts to combat clientelism in Mexico aimed to reduce the practice of buying party loyalty through state resources.
Communist Party of China (CPC)
The founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China, which maintains a monopoly on political power.
Example:
The Communist Party of China exercises extensive control over the military, media, and judiciary in China.
Dominant Party System
A political system in which one political party consistently holds the majority of governmental power, often suppressing or marginalizing opposition parties.
Example:
China operates under a dominant party system, where the Communist Party of China maintains firm control over all aspects of governance.
El dedazo
A historical informal practice in Mexico where the sitting president would handpick their successor, effectively bypassing democratic selection.
Example:
The elimination of el dedazo was a significant step in Mexico's transition away from one-party dominance towards a more democratic system.
Emerging/Procedural Democracy (Regime Type)
A country that is in the process of transitioning to a full democracy, often characterized by regular elections but still facing challenges like corruption or limited civil liberties.
Example:
Mexico and Nigeria are considered emerging/procedural democracies as they have regular elections but are still working to strengthen democratic institutions and combat issues like clientelism.
First-past-the-post
An electoral system where the candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency wins, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority.
Example:
The first-past-the-post system in the UK tends to favor larger parties and can lead to disproportional representation for smaller parties.
Hybrid (Regime Type)
A political system that combines elements of both democratic and authoritarian rule, often featuring some democratic institutions but with significant restrictions on political freedoms.
Example:
Russia is often described as a hybrid regime, as it holds elections but also exhibits increasing authoritarian tendencies like suppressing opposition.
Islamic Republic Party (IRP)
The dominant political party in Iran since the 1979 revolution, which endorses a conservative Islamic ideology and controls the parliament.
Example:
The Islamic Republic Party has been central to maintaining the theocratic nature of Iran's government since its inception.
Multi-Party System
A political system in which multiple political parties compete for power, and no single party typically wins a majority of seats, often leading to coalition governments.
Example:
Nigeria's multi-party system features numerous registered parties, though the People's Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress are the most prominent.
National Electoral Institute (INE)
An autonomous public organization responsible for organizing and overseeing federal elections in Mexico, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Example:
The strengthening of the National Electoral Institute has been crucial in enhancing the credibility of elections in Mexico.
Party discipline
The ability of a political party to ensure that its elected members vote according to the party line, rather than their individual conscience or constituency interests.
Example:
Strong party discipline in the UK Parliament means that Members of Parliament typically vote as directed by their party leadership.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
One of the two major political parties in Nigeria, generally considered center-left and advocating for a mixed economy and social welfare.
Example:
The People's Democratic Party has historically been a dominant force in Nigerian politics, often competing closely with the APC.
Platform
A declared policy of a political party or group, outlining the principles and goals they intend to pursue if elected.
Example:
Before an election, a party will release its platform, detailing its plans for healthcare, education, and the economy.
Political parties
Organizations that seek to achieve political power by electing their members to public office.
Example:
In the UK, the Conservative and Labour parties are the main political parties competing for control of Parliament.
Substantive Democracy (Regime Type)
A political system where not only are democratic procedures in place (like elections), but also civil liberties are protected, and there is broad participation and accountability.
Example:
The United Kingdom is considered a substantive democracy due to its robust democratic institutions, protection of rights, and high levels of political participation.
Two-party dominant
A political system where two major parties consistently win the vast majority of votes and seats, making it difficult for smaller parties to gain significant representation.
Example:
The United Kingdom's two-party dominant system is characterized by the consistent competition between the Conservative and Labour parties for government control.
United Russia
The dominant political party in Russia, which supports the policies of President Vladimir Putin and holds a supermajority in the State Duma.
Example:
United Russia has been instrumental in passing legislation that centralizes power and limits political opposition in Russia.