multi-party system
Pluralistic electoral structure
A multi-party system is a political system in which three or more parties compete for power and have realistic chances of participating in government.
This contrasts with two-party systems like the United States or one-party states.
Multi-party systems often require coalition governments, where parties negotiate to form ruling alliances: Italy's multi-party system has produced frequent coalition changes.
Voting forms
- candidatesThose seeking selection
- constituenciesElectoral regions or supporter groups
- electorateEligible voting body
- campaignsOrganized efforts toward goals
voting · polling · turnout · primaries · runoff · swing voters · incumbents · manifestos
Temporary alliance for action
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
majority · minority · governing · policy · legislation · power-sharing · confidence vote · minority government
Forming multi-party alliances
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- allianceFormal union of parties
horse-trading · concessions · bargaining · deadlock · gridlock · logrolling · backroom deals · coalition talks
Systematic political belief frameworks
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- factionsDissenting internal groups
- liberalismPhilosophy valuing reform, tolerance
- conservatismPreference for existing institutions
socialism · nationalism · green politics · libertarianism · centrism · populism · social democracy · big-tent
Scaled to match another
- seatsPlaces to sit
- constituencyElectoral district's voters
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- delegatesChosen representatives or assigns
assembly · caucus · threshold · mixed-member · at-large · apportionment · quota · fragmentation
ballots
Voting forms
- candidatesThose seeking selection
- constituenciesElectoral regions or supporter groups
- electorateEligible voting body
campaigns · voting · polling · turnout · primaries · runoff · swing voters · incumbents · manifestos · debates
coalition
Temporary alliance for action
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
opposition · majority · minority · governing · policy · legislation · power-sharing · confidence vote · minority government · hung parliament
coalition-building
Forming multi-party alliances
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
alliance · horse-trading · concessions · bargaining · deadlock · gridlock · logrolling · backroom deals · coalition talks · kingmaker
ideologies
Systematic political belief frameworks
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- factionsDissenting internal groups
- liberalismPhilosophy valuing reform, tolerance
conservatism · socialism · nationalism · green politics · libertarianism · centrism · populism · social democracy · big-tent · left-wing
proportional
Scaled to match another
- seatsPlaces to sit
- constituencyElectoral district's voters
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
delegates · assembly · caucus · threshold · mixed-member · at-large · apportionment · quota · fragmentation
multi-party systemone-party state
Sole legal ruling faction
two-party system · one-party system · one-party rule · single-party state · single-party rule
multi-party systemdictatorship
Unchecked single-ruler government
totalitarianism · autocracy · authoritarianism · tyranny · absolute monarchy
multi, party, system, multiparty, parties, partied, partying, partisan, bipartisan