party systems
A classification based on how many political parties compete in a country.
➡️ What is a party system?
Rules that determine how votes are translated into seats.
➡️ What is an electoral system?
An area represented by an elected official.
➡️ What is an electoral district?
Electoral systems that increase the number of political parties.
➡️ What is proportional representation?
Voting for a political party rather than a specific candidate.
➡️ What is party-list voting?
A system where two major parties dominate politics and policymaking.
➡️ What is a two-party system?
A system where the candidate with the most votes wins, not necessarily a majority.
➡️ What is plurality voting?
When citizens directly vote for candidates or parties.
➡️ What is a direct election?
Electoral systems that tend to reduce the number of viable parties.
➡️ What is SMDP / plurality systems?
Districts that elect more than one representative.
➡️ What are multimember districts?
A system where multiple parties compete and often form coalitions.
➡️ What is a multiparty system?
A system where voters choose parties and seats match vote percentages.
➡️ What is proportional representation (PR)?
When voters choose representatives who then select leaders.
➡️ What is an indirect election?
Minimum vote percentage required to gain seats in PR systems.
➡️ What is a proportional representation threshold?
A majority requirement of 50% + 1 vote.
➡️ What are majoritarian rules?
A system where many parties exist but one consistently wins elections.
➡️ What is a dominant-party system?
A system combining district elections with proportional representation.
➡️ What is a mixed electoral system?
A second election held if no candidate wins a majority.
➡️ What is a runoff election?
Rules requiring a percentage of women candidates in elections.
➡️ What are gender quotas?
The process of evaluating candidates before allowing them to run.
➡️ What is candidate vetting?
Parties that try to appeal to a wide range of voters with diverse views.
➡️ What are catch-all parties?
A system with one representative per district; tends to favor two parties.
➡️ What is single-member district plurality (SMDP)?
The idea that winning an election gives authority to carry out policies.
➡️ What is an electoral mandate?
This system can lead to “wasted votes” for losing candidates.
➡️ What is plurality / SMDP?
A system where the government exchanges jobs or benefits for political support.
➡️ What is patronage (clientelism)?