horse-trading
Give-and-take negotiation
Horse-trading is hard bargaining or negotiation, typically involving shrewd compromises and mutual concessions.
The term comes from the reputation of horse dealers for driving tough deals and sometimes using deceptive tactics.
In political contexts, horse-trading describes the behind-the-scenes deal-making required to pass legislation or form coalitions: The bill only passed after weeks of horse-trading between party leaders.
The term carries a slightly cynical tone, suggesting pragmatism over principle.
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- hagglingNegotiating a lower price
- deal-makingNegotiating agreements between parties
- give-and-takeMutual concession between parties
- back-and-forthAlternating reciprocal motion
concessions · mediation · brokerage · dickering · settlement · arbitration · parley · dialogue
Secret unofficial negotiations
- logrollingTrading political support mutually
- pork-barrelSelf-serving legislative spending
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- coalition-buildingForming multi-party alliances
caucus · partisanship · wheeling and dealing · earmarks · concessions · bloc · quid pro quo · arm-twisting
Direct goods-for-goods exchange
- swappingTrading items mutually
- quid pro quoReciprocal exchange of value
- swap meetOutdoor sale of used goods
- commodityFungible traded good
marketplace · auction · tender · exchange · in-kind · reciprocity · livestock auction · dealing
bargaining
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- hagglingNegotiating a lower price
- deal-makingNegotiating agreements between parties
- give-and-takeMutual concession between parties
back-and-forth · concessions · mediation · brokerage · dickering · settlement · arbitration · parley · dialogue · middleman
backroom deals
Secret unofficial negotiations
- logrollingTrading political support mutually
- pork-barrelSelf-serving legislative spending
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
coalition-building · caucus · partisanship · wheeling and dealing · earmarks · concessions · bloc · quid pro quo · arm-twisting
barter
Direct goods-for-goods exchange
- swappingTrading items mutually
- quid pro quoReciprocal exchange of value
- swap meetOutdoor sale of used goods
commodity · marketplace · auction · tender · exchange · in-kind · reciprocity · livestock auction · dealing
- Negotiation Termsdeadlock, bargaining, negotiation, stalemate, compromise
- caucusdelegates, delegate count, precinct, realignment, viability
- politickingcampaigning, electioneering, lobbying, canvassing, stumping
- influence peddlinginfluence peddling, backscratching, quid pro quo, kickbacks, payoffs
horse-tradingplain dealing
Honest, straightforward conduct
take-it-or-leave-it · straight talk · cards on the table · posted prices · straight shooting