kingmaking
Choosing the monarch
Kingmaking is the act of using one's influence to install someone in a position of power—originally a literal king, now any leader or winner.
A kingmaker wields enough clout to determine outcomes without holding the throne themselves: The party boss was known for kingmaking behind closed doors.
In gaming, kingmaking describes when a player who can't win decides which other player does, often by strategic choices in the final moves.
Wielder of political influence
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- backingAid or sponsorship
- endorsementFormal expression of support
patronage · nomination · campaign · caucus · mandate · constituency · brokerage · dealmaking
Performer controlling jointed figures
- godfatherMale baptismal guardian
- fixerOne who resolves issues
- patronRegular supporter or customer
- backerFinancial supporter
sponsor · clout · leverage · strings · gatekeeper · manipulation · catalyst · facilitator
Ceremony installing a sovereign
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- heirOne who receives legacy
- successionFollowing in order
ascension · dynasty · reign · sovereignty · regent · lineage · hereditary · anointment
Corporate decision venue
- CEOTop corporate officer
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
- mergerCorporate combination
takeover · appointment · headhunter · proxy · chairman · director · promotion · ousting
powerbroker
Wielder of political influence
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- backingAid or sponsorship
endorsement · patronage · nomination · campaign · caucus · mandate · constituency · brokerage · dealmaking · backroom
puppeteer
Performer controlling jointed figures
backer · sponsor · clout · leverage · strings · gatekeeper · manipulation · catalyst · facilitator · instigator
coronation
Ceremony installing a sovereign
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- heirOne who receives legacy
succession · ascension · dynasty · reign · sovereignty · regent · lineage · hereditary · anointment · designate
boardroom
Corporate decision venue
- CEOTop corporate officer
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
merger · takeover · appointment · headhunter · proxy · chairman · director · promotion · ousting · grooming
- office politicsoffice politics, backstabbing, power plays, favoritism, nepotism
- game tacticsstrategy, tactics, positioning, decision making, counterplay
- board game mechanicsdice rolls, tile placement, auctions, tiebreakers
- board game problems
- Medieval Kingshipcoronation, anointment, crowning, enthronement, regalia
- politickingcampaigning, electioneering, lobbying, canvassing, stumping
kingmakingself-rule
Governance without outside control
regicide · self-governance · deposing · dethroning · overthrow
kingmakingdemocracy
Rule by the people
popular sovereignty · self-governance · meritocracy · election · egalitarianism
kingmakingsubjection
State of being controlled
disenfranchisement · powerlessness · subservience · vassalage
make, king, maker, kingdom, kingly, kingship, kingmaker, kingmakers