Waples/Comparative Government and Politics 1e - Ch 8

Electoral system

The formal rules and procedures for selecting the executive or members of the legislature.

Mandate

The broad support of the people to carry out proposed policies.

Runoff election

A second and final election held between the top two vote-getters when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first round of voting.

Multimember district (MMD) system

A method for electing members of a legislature in which two or more representatives are elected from a district.

Single-member district (SMD) system

A system for electing members of the legislature in which the candidate who earns the most votes in a district wins a seat in the legislature.

Plurality

The most votes, but not necessarily a majority.

“First-past-the-post” (FPTP)

An election rule in an SMD system in which the candidate with a plurality of votes wins a seat in the legislature.

Proportional representation (PR) system

A system in which seats in the legislature are awarded according to the percentage of votes a party receives.

Mixed electoral system

A system for electing members of the legislature that includes both single-member districts and seats awarded through proportional representation.

Party system

The number of and strength of political parties within a country.

One-party state

A country where only one party is allowed to control the government.

Dominant party system

A party system in which multiple parties exist, but the same party dominates the executive branch and wins most of the seats in the legislature.

Two-party system

A party system in which only two parties are able to garner enough votes to win an election, although more may compete.

Multiparty system

A party system in which more than two parties can win a national election and control the government.

Catch-all party

A party that takes ideologically diverse, usually middle-of-the-road, positions to capture as many voters as possible.

Interest group

An association of individuals or businesses that attempts to influence government.

Pluralism

A system in which groups are allowed to form and advocate for their interests outside of government control.

Corporatism

A system in which the state controls interest groups and chooses the ones it wishes to recognize.

Single-peak association

An organization that brings together all interest groups in a particular sector to influence and negotiate agreements with the government.

Social movement

A large group organized to advocate for political change.

Grassroots movement

Citizens at the local level banding together to advocate for a cause.