Unite 5 AGES

Political party

group of people who seek to control government through winning elections and holding public office

Political spectrum

range of political views

Partisanship

strong support of their party and its policy stands

single member district

An electoral district in which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office

plurality

The largest number of votes cast for the office

bipartisan

supported by two parties

consensus

general agreement among various groups on fundamental matters; broad agreement on public questions

coalition

temporary alliance of several groups that come together to form a working majority and so to control a government

ideological

based on a particular set of beliefs-- a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters

single-issue parties

parties that focus on a single public question

economic protest parties

parties rooted in poor economic times, lacking a clear ideological base, dissatisfied with current economic conditions, and demanding better times

splinter parties

parties that have split away from one of the major parties

ward

a unit into which cities are often divided for the election of a city council member

precinct

smallest unit of electoral administration; a voting district