Unit 4: Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations

Catch-all Party

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

Corporatism

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

Dominant Party System

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

Electoral System

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

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.

Grassroots movement

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

Interest Group

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

Mandate

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

Mixed Electoral System

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

Multimember District (MMD) System

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

Multiparty System

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

Nigerian House of Representatives

The lower house of the National Assembly, which represents the people.

Nigerian National Assembly

Nigeria’s bicameral legislature.

Nigerian Senate

The upper house of the National Assembly which represents the states

One-party system

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

Party System

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

Pluralism

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

Plurality

The most votes, but not necessarily a majority.

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.

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.

Sharia Law

A legal System based on principles derived from Islam

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.

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

Structural Adjustment Program

Requirements for receiving assistance from international lenders (such as the IMF), including the privatization of state-owned companies, reducing tariffs, and reducing subsidies for domestic industries.

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.