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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  • Oath of Office
    An Oath of Office is a promise made by a person who has been elected or appointed to an official position in the government to uphold the law and abide by the duties of their office. It is a solemn declaration made by the individual, affirming their commitment to their responsibilities and the peopl...
  • Oligarchy
    Oligarchy is a system of government in which a small group of people holds the majority of power. This small group of people, often wealthy or well-connected individuals, are able to manipulate the political system to their own interests, often at the expense of the majority of the population. Oliga...
  • Ombudsman
    An ombudsman is a person appointed to investigate and report on citizens’ complaints against public authorities, and to take action to resolve disputes. Ombudsmen are independent and impartial, and provide an informal and transparent mechanism for citizens to have their grievances heard and addresse...
  • Open Primary
    An open primary is a type of primary election in which any registered voter can participate, regardless of their political party affiliation. This means that voters do not have to be a member of a specific party to vote in that party's primary. Open primaries have become increasingly popular in rece...
  • Outside Game
    An outside game is a strategy employed by reformers to shape political outcomes outside of the traditional political institutions. This strategy focuses on mobilizing public opinion and creating alliances with civil society, business, and media groups to influence policy makers. Examples of successf...
  • Overseas Citizenship
    Overseas citizenship is a form of citizenship whereby an individual holds full citizenship rights in a foreign country while still maintaining their primary citizenship in their home country. This form of citizenship is becoming increasingly popular as citizens seek to diversify their passport portf...
  • Oversight
    Oversight is the action of overseeing, or the power to do so. It refers to the ability to oversee the activities of a certain organization or institution, with the primary goal of ensuring that they are conducted in a responsible and accountable manner. Oversight is typically carried out by a third ...