Terms Glossary

GoodParty.org's Terms Glossary is a list of definitions of words from the political and elections world. These terms are from an independent's perspective with an eye toward reform. If you have a suggestion for a new definition, send it to ask@goodparty.org.
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  • Jingoism
    Jingoism is an extreme form of nationalism characterized by an aggressive foreign policy and a belief in the superiority of one’s own nation over all others. It is often associated with chauvinism, or an attitude of superiority toward other nations, and with a disregard for the rights of others. Jin...
  • Joint Committee
    A joint committee is a legislative body composed of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This type of committee is formed to consider bills and other matters that need the approval of both houses of Congress. The joint committee is a powerful tool for creating consensus in ...
  • Judicial Activism
    Judicial activism is a term used to describe the practice of judges making decisions based on their personal beliefs or values, rather than on the grounds of existing laws. This means that judges are taking a more active role in interpreting the laws and making decisions based on their own individua...
  • Judicial District
    A judicial district is an administrative division of a state or country that is responsible for the administration of justice. Judicial districts are typically divided into smaller districts, counties, or other jurisdictions. Each district is responsible for the adjudication of cases within its own ...
  • Judicial Offices
    Judicial offices refer to the positions that are responsible for interpreting and applying the laws in the United States. These positions include judges at all levels of the court system, from the Supreme Court down to the local courts.
  • Judicial Review
    Judicial review is the power of an independent judiciary to review laws passed by the executive and legislative branches of government to determine their constitutionality. It is an important element of the system of checks and balances that preserve democratic ideals. Judicial review is the ultimat...
  • Jungle Primary
    A jungle primary, also known as a non-partisan primary election, is an election where candidates from all political affiliations compete in the same primary race.
  • Justice of the Peace
    A Justice of the Peace (JP) is an elected or appointed official that serves as an impartial arbiter in local and state affairs. JPs preside over a variety of civil and criminal matters, such as marriage ceremonies, oaths, legal disputes, and traffic court. The role of JPs is to ensure that proceedin...