Chapter 8 - Comp Gov.

Party and Electoral Systems and Citizens Organization

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 elections

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 representative 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 for electing members of the legislature in which seats 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 System

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

Dominate Party System

A party system in which multiple parties exist, but one 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

Sneak-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 group that has a loosely defined organizational structure and seeks major socioeconomic or political change through collective action

Grassroots movement

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