AP Comp Gov Unit 1

proportional representation

type of electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to votes they received

electoral system

set of rules that determine how votes are cast/counted/translated into seas in a legislature/selection of executive leaders

multi-member districts

electoral districts that elect 2+ represetnatives to legislature

party system

the way political parties are organized and compete for power w/in a political systemt

two party system

two major parties dominate

one-party system

one party is permitted to govern, opposition is marginalizedmu

multi-party system

2+ parties have realistic chance of winning

majority runoff system

type of electoral system where, if no candidate receives majorty, top 2 candidates advance into second round

catch-all parties

aims to appeal to wide variety of ideologies and social groups

social movements

large-scale, collective effort by a group to promote/resist sociopolitical change

interest group

organization of people w/ shared goals/interests that seek to influence public policy and government decisions

pluralism

a political system in which multiple, independent groups compete for political influence

corporatism

political system where the government gives formal roles to interest groups in policymaking

vote of confidence

parliamentary procedure in which legislature votes to express support to sitting gov’t or prime minister

single-member plurality districts (winner-takes-all, first-past-the-post)

one representative per district, candidate with most votes wins seat