Kingmaker
Power behind thrones
A kingmaker is someone with enough power or influence to determine who rises to leadership, without seeking the position themselves.
The term originated with the Earl of Warwick, who installed two English kings in the 15th century.
Today it describes power brokers in politics, business, or any realm where someone controls who gets the top job: The party chairman became the kingmaker in the primary.
English place and surname
- powerbrokerWielder of political influence
- behind-the-scenesHidden from public view
- influencePower to affect others
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
succession · throne · dynasty · faction · allegiance · puppet · patron · chancellor
Entrust authority to another
- superdelegateAutonomous convention delegate
- endorsementFormal expression of support
- primaryChief in importance
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
swing · caucus · nomination · backroom · coalition · party boss · ballot · campaign
Flat rigid panel
- CEOTop corporate officer
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
- mergerCorporate combination
- successionFollowing in order
chairman · appointment · executive · stakeholder · proxy · boardroom · governance · hostile takeover
Plantagenet succession conflict
- Henry VILancastrian king, often incapacitated
- YorkistHouse of York supporter
- LancastrianEnglish dynastic faction member
- feudalOf tiered landownership
liege · vassal · medieval · usurper · pretender · restoration · depose · alliance
Marked-surface group entertainment
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- tabletopHorizontal furniture surface
- victory pointsTallied units deciding winners
- resource managementAllocating available means efficiently
negotiation · diplomacy · alliance · betrayal · grand strategy · multiplayer · faction leader · turn-based
Warwick
English place and surname
- powerbrokerWielder of political influence
- behind-the-scenesHidden from public view
- influencePower to affect others
coronation · succession · throne · dynasty · faction · allegiance · puppet · patron · chancellor · regent
delegate
Entrust authority to another
- superdelegateAutonomous convention delegate
- endorsementFormal expression of support
- primaryChief in importance
convention · swing · caucus · nomination · backroom · coalition · party boss · ballot · campaign · strategist
board
Flat rigid panel
- CEOTop corporate officer
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
- mergerCorporate combination
succession · chairman · appointment · executive · stakeholder · proxy · boardroom · governance · hostile takeover · venture capitalist
Wars of the Roses
Plantagenet succession conflict
- Henry VILancastrian king, often incapacitated
- YorkistHouse of York supporter
- LancastrianEnglish dynastic faction member
feudal · liege · vassal · medieval · usurper · pretender · restoration · depose · alliance · battlefield
board game
Marked-surface group entertainment
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- tabletopHorizontal furniture surface
- victory pointsTallied units deciding winners
resource management · negotiation · diplomacy · alliance · betrayal · grand strategy · multiplayer · faction leader · turn-based · intrigue