Political Systems, Electoral Methods, and Interest Groups in Comparative Politics

Proportional representation

election system in which the party appoints legislative members proportional to the election results. This system promotes multiple parties being represented in the legislative branch and is sometimes called party list elections and often features multimember districts. With the appointment of representatives by party leaders, proportional representation systems can help increase the number of women and minority community representatives.*

Gender quotas

requirements that a certain percentage of candidates or representatives placed in seats in proportional representation systems be women in an effort to promote the ideal of gender equity

Single member district, plurality system

election system in which one candidate with the most votes (not necessarily a majority of 50% + at least 1 vote) in a district wins the sole representative seat. Tends to promote two party systems. These provide voters with strong constituency service and accountability because there is a single representative per district. This type of system ensures geographic representation.*

Executive election plurality system

election system in which one candidate wins the election as the sole executive by winning the most votes (not necessarily a majority of 50% + at least 1 vote.)

Second round, runoff election system

election system in which a candidate for a sole executive position or legislative positions must win a majority of the vote (50% + at least 1 vote.)

In a multi-candidate race, the winning candidate must win a majority of the vote either in the first round of balloting or in the second round of balloting that features the top two vote earners in the first round.

Majoritarian rules

winning candidate must win a majority of the vote (50% + at least 1 vote.)

Multi party system

when elections feature more than two parties competing for governing power.

Two party system

when elections feature two major parties competing for governing power.

Dominant party system

when elections allow multiple parties to run in elections, but one major party inevitably wins governing power.

One party system

when only one party is allowed to control governing party even if other parties exist.

Catch all political parties

often the dominant party in a dominant party system that earns support from groups with different characteristics, attracting popular support with ideologically diverse platforms*

El dedazo

translates as "the point;" metaphor from Mexico describing the nomination process of a new PRI candidate (who would become the expected presidential winner during PRI dominance until 2000) by the outgoing PRI president

Patronage

also known as patron client relationship or clientelism; this allowed government officials to distribute government jobs and services in return for voter loyalty; institutionalizes a quid pro quo ("this for that") relationship between elected officials and voters is often viewed as examples of corruption by those not benefitting from the patronage relationship

Social movements

involve large groups of people pushing collectively for significant political or social change such as indigenous civil rights, redistribute revenues to different classes, conduct fair and transparent elections, and ensure fair treatment of citizens of different sexual orientations*

Interest groups

groups organized to represent and advocate for a specific interest or policy issue.

Grassroots social movements

exert their power up from the local level to the regional, national, or international level

Pluralism

a system of interest group representation in which power is split among many groups that compete for the chance to influence the government's decision making. This competition is an important way citizens may express their needs to the government, and in a democracy, the government will react to citizens' input.

Corporatism

a system in which business, labor, and/or other interest groups bargain with the state over economic policy. In its earliest form corporatism emerged as a way that authoritarian regimes tried to control the public by creating or recognizing organizations to represent the interests of the public. This practice makes the government appear less authoritarian, but in reality the practice eliminates any input from groups not sanctioned or created by the state.

Single peak associations (SPAs)

a type of interest group that commonly represents professional or commercial groups and helps establish standards for that profession or industry.

national mandate

the perceived legitimacy and authority a government claims to have to implement its policies, based on public support shown in an election.

• occurs thru absolute majority