Terms Glossary

The GOP, or Grand Old Party, is a political party in the United States that is traditionally associated with conservative principles and policies. It is also known as the Republican Party. It is one of the two major political parties in the country, along with the Democratic Party.

A general election is a democratic process in which citizens of a country or state vote to choose their representatives. This process is used to elect public officials to positions such as president, mayor, governor, or members of the legislature.

Gerontocracy is a form of government where politicians in power are generally elderly and the decisions they make are rooted in traditional values. Gerontocracy is often seen as a form of government that is resistant to reform and progress, as elderly politicians tend to be more conservative and unw...

Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts in order to give an advantage to one political party or group over others. It is often done by the party in power, who use their control of the redistricting process to draw district lines in a way that maximizes th...

GOTV, which stands for "Get Out The Vote," is a strategy employed by political campaigns, civic groups, and organizations to increase voter turnout. Historically, GOTV emerged as a critical component of political campaigns in the 20th century, focusing on grassroots mobilization to encourage communi...

The term "ghost workers" refers to a form of corruption in public administration where salaries are disbursed to non-existent employees. These phantom employees are recorded on the payroll, but they either do not exist, have left the service, or are otherwise ineligible to receive the salaries they ...

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency within the U.S. government that provides oversight of public spending and audits the performance of federal departments, agencies, and programs. The goal of the GAO is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficientl...

Grandstanding is the act of making a showy or ostentatious display, often with the intention of gaining attention or approval from an audience, rather than contributing meaningfully to a discussion or issue. 

Grassroots is a term used to describe the activities of citizens who are politically engaged at the local level and are working to create change in their communities. This type of participation is often referred to as "bottom-up" democracy, because it starts with the people and works its way up to t...

The Green New Deal is a bold set of sweeping policy proposals aimed at creating a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all Americans. The Green New Deal refers to a progressive and ambitious set of policies and initiatives that emphasize the need to address climate change, create j...

The Green Party is a political party focused on ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, and nonviolence. Founded in 1984, the Green Party is a reform-minded political party that challenges the two-party system in the United States. It advocates for a shift in public policy away from...

Gubernatorial is a term referring to the role of a governor in the United States political system. A governor is a public official, elected by the people of a state, who is the chief executive of the state and is responsible for implementing the laws and policies of the state. Governors have broad e...