Unit 4 - Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations

Plurality System

The candidate who wins the most votes in a single election becomes president

Two round system

If no candidate earns a majority of the vote in the first round, a second election, called a runoff election, is held between the top two vote getters.

• after the second round of voting, the candidate with the majority of votes wins the election

Single-member district (SMD)

Elects one representative per district, and the candidate with the most votes wins

Multi-member district (MMD) system

Elects multiple representatives per district, allowing for more variety in who gets elected.

Proportional representation (PR)

Gives seats to political parties based on the percentage of votes they receive, leading to more accurate representation

Mixed electoral system

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

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.

“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

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 sysem

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

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 government control.

Corporation

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 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.