Terms Glossary

Paleoconservatism is a political ideology that emerged in the mid-1980s in response to what was perceived as the dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties in American politics. It is a branch of conservatism that is based on the principles of states' rights, traditional values, and an avers...

The term “parish” is sometimes used to describe ecclesiastical divisions, due to its association with church territories. However, in countries such as the United States and United Kingdom, the term “parish” can also refer to secular municipal entities. 

Parliamentary democracy is a form of government in which representatives are elected by the people to make decisions on their behalf. This type of democracy is based on the principle of majority rule, meaning that the majority of voters will determine the outcome of policy decisions. Parliamentary d...

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process that allows community members to directly shape how a portion of public funds is spent. Residents propose ideas, help develop project plans, and vote on which projects should receive funding.

Partisan journalism refers to a style of reporting where news, events, and stories are presented with a distinct bias, often aligned with a particular political viewpoint or ideology. Unlike objective journalism, which aims to provide a balanced and impartial account of events, partisan journalism i...

A party platform is an official statement of a political party's values, principles, and proposed policies. It is a document that outlines the party's stance on various issues, from economic and social policy to foreign affairs and defense policy. Party platforms are subject to change over time, and...

Party polarization, also called partisan polarization, refers to the growing ideological distance and political divergence between major political parties. This phrase typically surfaces in the context of a two-party system like that of the United States. This phenomenon manifests in increasingly di...

Patronage is the practice of awarding government jobs, contracts, or favors to individuals based on political support rather than merit. Historically common, particularly in 19th-century U.S. politics, patronage can lead to nepotism, cronyism, and corruption, as positions are often filled based on l...

The Peace and Freedom Party is a left-wing political party in the United States that was founded in 1967. It is focused on non-interventionism, civil liberties, economic justice, and social justice. The Peace and Freedom Party advocates for independent candidates, works to eliminate the two-party sy...

The People's Party is an American political party that was founded in 2017 by Nick Brana. The People's Party advocates for single-payer healthcare, economic revitalization, environmental protection, and an end to political corruption and corporate lobbying. The party also supports the expansion of c...

Petition signature gathering is the process of collecting signatures from registered voters in order to qualify a candidate or initiative for the ballot. This process is often used by third-party candidates or groups to get their names on the ballot without having to go through the traditional party...

Phone banking is a political outreach technique that involves volunteers or campaign staff making direct phone calls to potential voters, donors, or other targeted individuals. Its roots can be traced back to the days before the digital era when face-to-face canvassing and direct mail were the prima...

A planning commission is a local government board that helps guide a community’s growth, development, and land-use decisions. Planning commissions review proposals for new housing, businesses, zoning changes, and public projects to ensure they align with a city’s long-term plans and regulations.

Pluralism is a political system that recognizes the co-existence of diverse, overlapping, and sometimes competing interests and values. Pluralism emphasizes the idea that individuals and groups from different backgrounds, beliefs, and identities should be able to both voice their opinions, and have ...

The term plurality refers to the greatest number of votes cast for a single candidate. Plurality is a system of voting that has long been used in the American political system. This system can lead to two-party dominance, as the candidate with the most votes is always the one that wins, regardless o...

The term pocket veto refers to a situation in which a president, as a means of exercising their power, refuses to sign a bill passed by Congress, preventing the bill from becoming law. The pocket veto is an example of the power of the executive branch, and is an effective way to prevent laws from pa...

Policy laundering describes a situation where a government or a group of governments create or implement policy under the guise of international consensus or as part of an agreement with other nations, thereby bypassing the usual democratic processes. This practice often occurs in contexts where the...

A policy wonk is a person who takes an excessive interest in the minutiae of political policies and processes. They are often characterized by a deep and passionate engagement with the specifics and technical details of public policy, legislation, and political strategies. Unlike general political e...

A political action committee is a legal entity organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to influence the outcome of elections, ballot initiatives, or legislation. PACs can be created by individuals, companies, trade unions, and other organizations. They are subject to regulation by th...

Political affiliation refers to the ways a person, political party, or organization aligns with a specific political party. In the case of Independent voters, political affiliation can also refer to one’s lack of alignment with a political party. 

Political appointees are individuals selected by elected officials to hold specific government positions, often based on loyalty, expertise, or alignment with the appointing leader’s political agenda.

Political efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to influence the political process. Rooted in the core of democratic values, political efficacy is the confidence a citizen has that their actions—like voting, protesting, or engaging in civic dialogues—can bring about change. This...

Political philosophy is a branch of philosophy that deals with questions such as the origin and purpose of the state, the nature of rights, justice, law and liberty. It is a broad field of study that encompasses a range of approaches, including political theory, normative political thought and moral...

Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and opinions. It is a process of learning and internalizing values, attitudes, and behaviors associated with political systems, institutions, and figures. Political socialization is an ongoing proces...

A poll tax is a monetary fee or a tax levied on individuals in order to be eligible to vote in an election. This practice has been in existence since the 19th century and was disproportionately used to disenfranchise African Americans from voting in the United States. It was only outlawed in 1964, w...

Polling is an important tool for reforms and progressive change in American politics. By understanding where the public stands on certain issues and policies, reformers can better understand how to craft messages and design campaigns that will appeal to the public. Additionally, polling can be used ...

A polling place is a location where individuals can cast their votes for candidates in an election. Polling places are often associated with the two-party system, as they are traditionally the only avenues for citizens to express their political preferences. However, as the independent movement cont...

Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives. Popular sovereignty means that the ultimate source of government power lies with the people.

The popular vote is a method of selecting political representatives where the choice rests directly in the hands of the citizens. It embodies the principle that the electorate should have the ultimate say in who represents their interests in government.

Populism is a political ideology that emphasizes the rights and interests of the common people. It is often characterized by anti-establishment and anti-elite sentiments, and is often associated with advocating for more independent candidates and the end of the two-party system.

Pork legislation is a form of legislation that is funded through government spending but is of dubious public benefit. It is often used to secure political favors from constituents or to reward those who contribute to campaigns. Examples of pork legislation include earmarks, which are amendments to ...

A precinct is a geographically defined area in which citizens are allowed to vote in an election. It is used to designate which district or county an individual will be voting in. Precincts help to ensure that government representatives are elected by the people who live in the area, and that everyo...

A primary election is a type of election that determines which candidates will be put forward to represent a political party in a general election. It is a key component of the two-party system, wherein the two major parties in the United States, the Democratic and Republican parties, select candida...

Progressivism is a political ideology focused on promoting social justice, equality, and proactive government intervention to address societal challenges. Progressives advocate for reforms that prioritize the public good and seek to create a fairer society, often emphasizing economic and social equa...

Proportional representation is a voting system in which the number of seats a political party or group holds in an elected body is roughly proportional to the number of votes they receive. This means that if a party receives 30% of the votes, they will hold roughly 30% of the seats in the elected bo...

Protectionism is an economic policy that seeks to protect domestic industries and businesses from foreign competition. It is often implemented through tariffs, subsidies, or quotas, which are measures that raise the prices of imported goods, provide direct financial assistance to domestic producers,...

A public comment is feedback, opinion, or information shared by members of the public on proposed government actions, like new laws, ballot measures, or development projects. Many government agencies hold a public comment period, during which citizens, organizations, and other stakeholders can submi...

The public sector includes all parts of the economy and workforce that are controlled or funded by the government. Public sector organizations provide essential services that support the public good, such as education, healthcare, transportation, and public safety.

A public servant is an individual employed by government agencies or organizations to serve the public’s interests, ranging from local to federal levels.