absent vote

A vote cast by voters who are out of their division but still within their State or Territory which may be cast at any polling place in that State or Territory.

absolute majority

(50%+1 vote). A term used to compare the least votes a winning candidate may need in a preferential single member voting system compared with that of first- past-the-post systems of other countries where a “majority” may well be less than 50%.  Also a concept used in some parliamentary votes where a simple majority of all members present is not enough.

accord

A diplomatic agreement that does not have the same binding force as a treaty.

actuarial science

The discipline that applies mathematics, statistics and probability theory to assess risk in human affairs such as insurance, issuing finance, and in some cases sentencing in criminal justice. e.g.  health insurance companies on average charge women higher rates than men because statistics show women seek medical help more often.

ad hominem

Latin for “to the man”. Attacking the presenter of an argument rather than the argument itself. Aka  “playing the man, not the ball”.

adjournment

Temporary interruption during a parliamentary session.

adjournment debate

Similar to a grievance debate, but in this case MPs have the opportunity to raise specific issues with the relevant minister. The minister then answers directly or, within a specific time, provides a written response, which usually is also published online.

administrative law

That segment of public law that is used to challenge the decisions of government officials and / or delegated legislation. Excluding policy decisions made by people’s elected representatives, where it is deemed electoral popular support authorises the office holder to be unrestrained in their decision making as long as it is within the law, all civil / public servants, from the Prime Minister down can be challenged in court (as long as the plaintiff has standing) on the “reasonableness” of their administrative actions or even on their failure to act. Over time the authority of A.L. has been extended to so called public bodies: NGOs, Quangos and other organisations which otherwise would have discretionary power over the rights of their members.

adversarial system

The system of law, as exists in the Anglo-American world, where an issue is argued in court by two opposing sides, the prosecutor or plaintiff, and the defence. Opposite to the inquisitorial system where a judge or panel of judges call evidence and interrogate witnesses, as exists in many European countries.

affirmative action

Euphemism to describe legislative programs which aim to create minority equality in employment, university placements, housing  and other government beneficial situations even though, most of the time, outright discrimination against so called majorities is not ostensibly advocated.

agent provocateur

A person who surreptitiously acts to gain the confidence of someone, or organisation, they view as their adversary/ nemesis, and then to entice them to commit a rash act such to cause them to be exposed, or prosecuted for a crime, or suffer reputational damage.

agitprop

Less-than-subtle political propaganda disseminated through the media and performing arts. Term derived from the then department of Agitation and Propaganda of the Soviet Union.

agora

Greek for gathering place or assembly. The town square in ancient Greek city states used for political discussions and decision making as well as other activities such as artistic and spiritual gatherings.

agrarian socialist

Originally applying to non urban, pre-industrial revolution peoples with traditional, conservative attitudes, those who believe in the collective ownership and control of primary industries, and to a lesser extent secondary industries, for the benefit of all, but otherwise not that committed to other socialist beliefs such as progressive/liberal approaches to domestic or international social concerns.

Saul Alinsky

Described by opponents as an organisational genius, an American political activist, although never aligned with any political party, who, through his book Rules for Radicals, propagated ideas for poor communities to successfully politically organise. Prominent in the 60’s with college students and other counter-culture movements. Book is now popular with both sides of the political divide.

altruism

The devotion to the interests of others (alter in Latin) above that of the self. The opposite of egoism.

amicus curiae

Latin for ‘friend of the court’. aka intervener. A party, generally an advocacy group, who is granted permission by a court to be involved in proceedings even though it was not directly involved in the original case. The motivation for the A.C. is that the final court decision may set an important precedent and their confidence in the existing litigants is less than complete.

anarchism

From the Greek anarkhia, meaning ‘without a ruler’. A philosophy claiming that all forms of government are oppressive and unwarranted, and advocating the peaceful, or violent if need be, abolition of all government institutions, to be replaced by a system of voluntary cooperation. Unlike most other ideologies, a political philosophy that has been manifested more in action (Paris Commune, Russian Civil War and Spanish Civil War), than in the ivory towers of academia.

anarcho-capitalism

Extreme form of libertarianism whereby the state is not just limited to services such as defence, the courts, policing, air traffic control etc., but has no function at all, and all needed services are supplied by the market. Term created by one of its earliest advocates, American economist Murray Rothbard.

anarchy

A condition of lawlessness and disorder brought about by the absence of any controlling authority.

ancien régime

The government and social system that was swept away by the French Revolution. An administration and associated government programs that have been superseded.

androcracy

A state or society ruled by men where moral authority and control of property may also be exclusively in the hands of males. Aka  andrarchy or phallocracy.

anomie

Lack of the usual social or moral standards in an individual or society.

anti-clericalism

Opposition to the influence of religion in government and legislative affairs.

apostate

One who renounces his or her faith or belief.

apparatchik

A member of communist party machine; derogatory term for a political party zealot.

approval voting

‘First Past the Post’ voting but with the added concept that one can tick (approve of) as many candidates’ names as one wishes, but in no order of preference, and the winner receiving the most ticks. A variant of preferential voting eliminating the chances of minority candidates winning when too many mainstream candidates run against each other.

armageddon

A term from the Book of Revelation in the New Testament to describe an ‘end of the world’ battle scenario.

armistice

Temporary or permanent suspension of hostilities in war by mutual agreement.

astroturfing

In political campaigning and advertising, giving the impression that the cause advocated is a grass roots campaign motivated and organised more or less simultaneously by the non-professional hoi polloi, rather than by large, well-funded, parties or advocacy groups. AstroTurf is a brand of synthetic carpeting to resemble natural grass.

asymmetrical warfare

War between belligerents whose resources, technology, or tactics differ significantly.

Australian ballot

Original name given to the secret ballot due to the fact it originated there.

autocracy

A form of government where unlimited power is held by one single individual.

autonomy

A limited form of independence where, for example, a state or colony can control its own domestic affairs but has no say over its foreign affairs.

backbencher

A member of Parliament (government or opposition) who is not in a leadership role in their party but merely sits literally on the back bench.

backchannel

To communicate in an indirect and undisclosed manner such that other interested parties would be unaware.

backgrounder

An ‘off the record’ briefing for the media that cannot be recorded nor directly quoted. Mostly by governments but also by large organisations such as think tanks or corporations.

Baizuo

‘white left’. A derogatory Chinese term to describe what the speaker sees as a naïve white liberal advocating modern ideologies such as peace, empathy and equality in a virtue signalling manner.

balance of power

The leverage a small party in the legislature possesses, in being able to give, or hold back, voting support to a large, albeit still minority party, to allow it to have a majority on a vote.

Balkanization

Division of a country or region into smaller independent states which may turn out to be hostile with each other due to differing religion, ethnicity, culture or history of past aggressions. Named after an area in south eastern Europe.

ballot

A method of secret voting, normally in a written form.

ballot paper

A paper handed to each voter on election day to be marked, showing the names of the candidates (and sometimes the parties) who are standing for election.

banana republic

A small country economically dependent on a single agrarian export commodity (traditionally a banana exporting, maritime state of the West Indies or Central America), with a corrupt government. Term derived by author O. Henry for a short story involving the fictional Republic of Anchuria.

barrio

Spanish for neighbourhood or quarter. Term used in the United States, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic to describe a slum area of a city occupied by Latinos.

base load power

As compared to renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar, B.L. is power that is accessible 24/7, such as from coal.

bedwetter

Derogatory term for a politician who panics easily and shows signs of caving when newer, creative, or more ideological policies their party advocates start to come under criticism.

Belle Époque

Fr. for beautiful epoch. Period of relative peace and optimism between the Franco Prussian War and World War I (1871-1914), marked by progress in the arts, literature, technology and economic development where “European civilisation exerted its maximum influence upon” the world. Named in retrospect after the horrors of the First World War.

bell the cat

An impractical suggestion that highlights the short sightedness of the theorist advocating a problem’s solution which, however, will not in work in practice, or be politically lethal for the party proposing it. Derived from a fable about a group of mice who decide the best way to be warned when the cat is near is for someone to place a bell around its neck, only to find there are no volunteers to perform that task.

bellwether

A small entity whose characteristics happen to reflect that of the whole state or nation. The American state of Nevada is a bellwether state for presidential elections in that, with only one exception, it has voted the same as the whole country for a century. The Australian electorate of Eden-Monaro has voted in a government MP at every election since 1972. A bellwether is a ram with a bell attached to indicate to the farmer where the flock is when not in sight.

the Beltway

A term to describe the politically and socially insular community of Washington DC. Derived from Interstate Highway 495 which circumnavigates Washington forming a “belt”. One would be, metaphorical speaking, inside or outside the Beltway. The term is sometimes used in other countries although in Britain the equivalent concept is “the Westminster Bubble”.

Jeremy Bentham

English philosopher of the 18^th century and founder of Utilitarianism. Ultimate pragmatist who believed policy decisions should be those that produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number. To him, the concept of natural laws and basic human rights was nothing more than “nonsense on stilts”.

benign neglect

A type of laissez-faire policy, where, in response to calls for government funding or regulation to address a recently developed problem, a ‘do nothing’ approach is alternatively undertaken in the belief that, over time, it will improve, or at least not hurt, the interests of the "neglected" group.

Edward Bernays

American master of public relations in the early twentieth century for business, politicians and NGOs, who is credited with elevating it into a profession. A common practice used was to arrange for “independent” groups or individuals to support or initiate his message. Author of Propaganda (1928), Public Relations (1945), and The Engineering of Consent (1955).

bicameral / unicameral

Government with either two or one house of legislature. France, Sweden, South Korea and New Zealand all have unicameral governments.

bien pensant

Fr. for ‘well thinking’. A person who accepts, with little critical thought, the conventional or orthodox attitudes of the day.

bigot

A person who refuses to discuss, consider or listen to, beliefs or theories contrary to his own. Derived from the Middle Ages French term of abuse for religious Normans who would frequently use the term “By God”.

bill

The name for proposed legislation entered into the house / houses of parliament to be debated upon for approval. If approved at all stages it then becomes an act and thus law. Bill is from the Latin ‘bulla’, seal, relating to a sealed document, and act from ‘actum, meaning a thing completed or formally done.

bill of attainder

No longer practiced ancient writ or act of Parliament to declare someone guilty of a crime and/or subject to punishment without benefit of trial. Attainder, meaning taintedness, also meant that any party guilty of a capital crime lost all civil rights including property, and if not life, then right to reputation. Still exercised in the 20th century in Australian states where a convicted capital felon, Darcy Dugan, was denied the right to sue for defamation and a dangerous inmate, Gregory Kable, was not released after his full prison term was served due to an act of parliament.

bill of rights

Aka Charter of Rights or Declaration of Rights. A list of entrenched fundamental human rights as perceived by the declarer. Whereas a nation’s enacted laws are deemed to protect people from the harmful deeds of their fellow citizens, a B.o.R is deemed to protect the citizenry from the excesses of their rulers. Term derived from the 1689 Bill of Rights enacted by the British Parliament after the Glorious Revolution.

biomass

Organic matter used as fuel, such as wood for heating and electricity generation. Also includes agricultural products, animal products and animal wastes. Controversial as to whether or not a renewable energy.

bipartisan

Adjective to describe a situation where the normally opposing political parties come together to agree on an initiative. Technically two parties coming together.

bird-dogging

To track down a political candidate to a public event and get in a position to ask him/her questions on issues they would rather not talk about, and to ask follow-up questions if answers are evasive. A bird dog is a retriever who runs into the bushes and flushes birds out into the open. Term has also been used in 2016 US presidential campaign by some players to go well further by inciting violence at opposition campaign rallies.

black letter law

A law where there may have been conjecture as to its meaning, but where appellate courts have subsequently settled the issue.

blackout period

In Australia a ban on broadcast election ads for three days prior to election day, although online and print ads are still permitted.

bleeding heart

Derogatory term to describe someone who allegedly too easily gets emotional about the misfortunes of others.

blue ribbon seat

Aka blue riband seat. see ‘safe seat’.

blue state / red state

American states categorised as to how they generally vote: Democrat / Republican.

block voting

In multi-member electorates, each voter having the same number of votes as the number of vacant seats (must tick off [say] three names). This has the effect of minimising the chances of minority candidates winning seats.

bodyman

The nonmilitary equivalent of an aide de camp who acts as the personal assistant to a high-level politician or candidate. Responsibilities would be: interactions with media, the public and other party officials,   arranging travel logistics, meals,  briefing papers and speech notes, and being a repository for names and other common facts his employer would be expected to know. Fictional examples being Charlie Young in The West Wing and Gary Walsh in Veep.

boilerplate

The standardized, non-specific parts of editorials, presentations, contracts or emails traditionally made and expected, in addition to the specific. A speech on a particular policy issue would be described as B. if it added nothing to what had been said many times before. Derived from original 1892 American Press Association offices which happened to be housed next to a sheet-iron processing plant, and third rate, filler, news articles issued became known as B.

boiling frog

An analogy to describe a situation where harm is done to people in a very incremental rate and even though they recognise the harm, through apathy they keep putting off a response until it is too late. Based on the unsubstantiated claim that a frog placed in boiling water will immediately jump out, but when placed in slowly heating tepid water it will remain until boiled to death.

boondoggle

A wasteful government financed infrastructure developed at a cost much greater than its value, undertaken for local or political gain.

bourgeois

Marxist term now used to describe middle class professionals living a relatively luxurious life style.

Bradley effect

Aka Shy Tory Factor. A theory to explain the discrepancy sometimes noticed between pre-election polling and election results where the “socially acceptable” candidate or proposition did not win. It is alleged that some respondents, when speaking to pollsters, feel uncomfortable in not declaring their support for the so called “flavour or the month” or “political correct” candidate or position, and thus declare what they think is expected of them, even though in the privacy of the polling booth they will vote otherwise. Named after well-known African-American Tom Bradley, who attempted to be the first elected black governor in the US, but lost the 1982 Californian gubernatorial election despite previously being ahead in the polls.

branch stacking

Australian concept related to candidate manipulation in larger political parties. An act by a member of a party to enhance his/her chances of being chosen as a candidate in an upcoming election by arranging, and paying membership fees, for a suitably large number of people, who may or may not have any interest in politics, to join the party in the relevant electorate/branch for no other reason than to support that member.

bread and circuses

A metonymic phrase referring to a governments’ superficial appeasement of the hoi polloi regarding  contemporary problems. In ancient Rome, to prevent aggrieved plebeians from rioting it was ensured that there was always sufficient grain supplies, often at a subsidized price, and that there was entertainment, (chariot races, gladiatorial combats, etc) at stadiums such as the Circus Maximus.

brinkmanship

Belligerent diplomatic relations where at least one party is prepared to risk all and go to the brink of war/ economic ruin/ or whatever calamitous situation, to get what they want. In modern times the most artful in this practice would be the government of North Korea.

brokered convention

A.k.a. open or contested convention. A situation in American primary presidential election campaigns where no candidate, by the time of the convention after the final primary election, has accrued a majority of delegates.  Delegates are then freed from their commitment to support their original candidate, and so called “horse trading” is engaged in until one candidate can attain a majority and thus go on to become the party’s nominee. The winner is not necessarily the first or second highest delegate holder but can also be a compromise candidate, as happened in the 1924 Democratic convention. Technically a brokered convention is only when power brokers, such as super delegates, unelected apparatchiks, step in and use their reserve powers to decide the issue.

bubble

see Beltway

bully pulpit

An office, place or high order which gives one the opportunity to propagate one’s views. Term coined by Teddy Roosevelt who thought the American presidency gave an immense platform to advocate his positions on many issues. At the time, ‘bully’ had the positive meaning of superb or wonderful.

bundlers

With the advent of legislation limiting the amount an entity can donate to a political candidate,  political campaigns have to put more emphasis on the number of donors solicited rather than a limited number of wealthy donors who are often directly approached by the candidate him / her self. Thus campaigns need to employ a number of well-connected organisers who can arrange events for the purpose of soliciting donations and then bundle all the cheques off to the campaign.

by-law

Not a law but a government rule or regulation. see ‘delegated legislation’.

by-election

A local election held to fill a suddenly vacated (single member voting) seat due to death, resignation etc.     see also Casual Vacancy

cabinet

The ‘board of directors’ of executive government.  Made up of the President / Prime Minister as chairman and each director as a secretary or minister responsible for the relevant government departments such as defence, environment, trade etc.

cabal

A small group of intriguers or plotters secretly planning to take action which would affect others.

Caesar’s wife

‘Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.’ The maxim that family or close associates of a prominent pubic figure must go to extra lengths to keep themselves above suspicion of wrongdoing. Caesar divorced his wife Pompeia after it was suspected, but not proven, that she aided a third party to commit the crime of sacrilege.

caliphate

A state ruled by a caliph, who is considered to be the chief Islamic civil and religious ruler, regarded as the successor in line from Muhammad.

Camp David

Country house retreat of the American president

cancel culture

Term used to describe a modern form of ostracising a person or business which has committed acts, viewed by those doing the blacklisting, as unpardonable social sins. Often manifested in losing one’s job, being de-platformed, being refused business such as a bookseller declining an author’s books, or a public company being divested; such cold shouldering so as to cause victims to have their public life effectively cancelled.

candidate

A person who stands for election to political office. In Australia candidates can be nominated by political parties or stand as independents.

Cantillon Effect

Economic theory by eighteenth century Irish-French economist, Richard Cantillion, describing how some in society suffer more from inflation than others.  When money is introduced into the economy, sometimes by the discovery of gold, but mostly by government printing presses, the first to benefit are recipients of government agencies, being employees, or contractors, who can spend the money at existing rates, but by the time it trickles down to the rest of society the inflation caused by the increase in supply has lowered the currency’s spending value.

capitalism

An economic system based on the recognition of private property rights, where prices are dictated by supply and demand, and where the means of production and distribution of goods and services derive from privately owned resources, or capital, operating within an unregulated market.

carbon sequestration

The act of lowering existing amounts of carbon dioxide already in, or about to enter, the atmosphere.  This is done through means such as growing more trees or engaging in what is called carbon capture, where natural or artificial carbon sinks are utilized to hold CO₂, in gaseous or liquid form, as well as some other carbon-based compounds.

caretaker government

A type of governance where those in power refrain from significant actions such as undertaking major legislative programs or senior judicial or public service appointments, but only maintain necessary normal administrative duties. The reason for this is that power would be in transition due to an election being due or being called suddenly due to the success of a vote of no confidence, or some other situation where legitimate democratic government has to be restored.

carpetbagger

A pejorative term to describe outsiders taking advantage of a situation where others would normally be expected to benefit. A carpet bag was a fashionable form of luggage of the time used by northern “Yankees”, political appointees or businessmen, who moved down to southern states during the American post-Civil War Reconstruction era taking advantage of the instability, power vacuum and fire sale prices of the property market.

carry water

To serve and perform menial tasks for an entity, or to be induced by pragmatism to endorse a belief, person or organisation that, in reality, one does not fully support.

Cassandra

Daughter of the Trojan king Priam in Homer’s Illiad, who not only possessed the gift of prophecy but was cursed by the god Apollo in that she would never be believed. Someone who predicts calamitous events if specific policy decisions are not undertaken, but who is generally ignored.

casting vote

A vote that the presiding officer of decision-making body, who normally does not vote so as to give an impression of impartiality, has the option to exercise when it would have an effect. Sometimes the CV is the only vote the officer has (Speaker of UK House of Commons, President of US Senate), but otherwise it is in addition to his/her normal vote.

casual vacancy [Aust.]

A suddenly vacated Senate seat filled not by an election but by State government appointment.

casus belli

The alleged justification for acts of war.

caucus

A closed meeting of members of a political party or faction. Also the term for a group of people within an establishment with a common political leaning. In Australia the term is used to describe the parliamentary members of the ALP.

cause célèbre

Fr. for ‘famous case’. A controversy (often a court case) arousing high public interest because of policy issues at stake. Examples would be the Dreyfus affair, the Scopes Monkey Trial and the American Roe v Wade Supreme Court case.

cemetery vote

The estimated total fraudulent vote in an election enacted by political operatives using the names of deceased people to register where necessary, and subsequently vote, in an election.

Chartists

Popular British 19th century working class movement advocating electoral reform. Named after their Peoples’ Charter of six demands: universal male suffrage, equal electoral districts, secret ballot, no qualifications to enter parliament, pay for MPs and annual elections. Despite at one stage having three million signatures on a petition to Parliament, the movement eventually disbanded without witnessing any reforms.

chain migration

Aka serial migration. Term to describe a situation in some countries where the granting of permanent residence to one foreign applicant on whatever grounds (jus soli, humanitarian, skilled or lottery) will give that new resident rights to bring in their spouse or other family members, which in turn will grant further foreigners rights to enter because of their connections to the previous link, thus creating a seemingly perpetual chain.

Chatham House Rules

Rules / undertakings sometimes declared at public meetings where the identity or affiliation of a speaker cannot later be made public when and if mentioning what was said. The alternative to “on the record” discussions. C.H. is a 18th century London house previously occupied by three Prime Ministers and now by the influential think tank, the Royal Institute of International Affairs.

the chattering classes

Derogatory term, originated by British journalist Auberon Waugh, to refer to the “socially conscious” educated, metropolitan middle class, always prepared to express their opinions on current events.

checks and balances

The concept in democracies where abuse of power in branches of government can be controlled by various institutions and processes. Where they exist, some examples would be a constitution upon which the supreme court could review the validity of laws or executive decisions, recall elections for politicians and / or judges, veto power over legislation held by the chief executive, and citizens’ initiated referenda.

Checkers speech

A speech by a politician high on emotion but low on facts or argument. Derived from a speech by then Senator Richard Nixon in response to charges of improper gifts (including a dog) where he spoke mostly of his humble upbringing and then war service, and ended with the claim that he would keep the canine, which happened to be black and white, and named ‘Checkers’ by his children.

Chequers

Country house retreat of the British Prime Minister

citizens initiated referendum

A democratic vehicle for legislative or constitutional enactment which bypasses the legislature. As exists in Switzerland and some states of the USA, if a petition for a certain proposition can raise a specific number of signatures, then the legislature is compelled to put it to the people at a referendum and then to enact it in law if passed.

a city upon a hill

A concept relating to establishing or refurbishing a state so as to make it an idealised polity or society such that it becomes a ‘beacon of hope’ for all other states to aspire to. Quoted from English Puritan, John Winthrop, on establishing a ‘New World’ colony in America, “for we must consider that we shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eyes of all people are upon us”.

civis Romanus sum

(I am a Roman Citizen). The claim by ancient Romans that wherever so they travel in foreign lands they should be afforded full rights and protection, with the understanding that Roman military might would respond to any violations.  Justification used by UK Prime Minister Lord Palmerston in 1850 when blockading Athens to ensure a British citizen there was compensated for the property damage inflicted by a violent Greek mob.

clear and present danger

A concept in American constitutional law to describe a situation where fundamental constitutional principles can be overlooked in exigent circumstances.

client state

A country that is economically or militarily dependent upon another, but not actually controlled politically by the patron state as in the case of a ‘puppet state’.

closed party list

A type of proportional representation voting where the voter has the option to support candidates of a political party but not in his\her order. As opposed to an “open list” system where voters have the choice of either above-the-line or below-the-line voting where the voter either gives only one tick, or individually indicates his/her particular preferences.

closed shop

A place of work where the union has arranged that the employer will only employ those who are its members.

cloture

Fr. for ‘ending’ or ‘conclusion’. A motion in legislative systems to bring a filibuster to an end and thus allow a vote on the bill at hand. Aka ‘closure’ or ‘guillotine’.

coattails effect

A popular candidate at an election having the ability to draw votes, not just for himself, but also for his fellow party candidates.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the world’s two superpowers of the time, the USA and the USSR from 1945 to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Term derived by author George Orwell.

command economy

As compared to the free market, an economy which is mostly under the command of the government.

common law

The law of the land which comes from neither the statute books nor the constitution but from court law reports. Originally that body of law which was common to all parts of England (not customary or local law) and developed over centuries from the English courts to be adopted and further developed in countries using that system. As compared to democratically maintained law, common law is judge maintained and modified law and is valid unless it conflicts with statute law.

commodification

The action or process of treating a person as a mere commodity rather than someone possessing civil rights such as autonomy.

communitarianism

The concept of collective, rather than individual, ownership of all the nation’s assets, as well as the duty by those able, to create and / or manage those assets.

comparative advantage

The ability of a party to produce a particular good or service at a lower marginal or opportunity cost than another. If country A can produce both apples and oranges cheaper than country B, with apples significantly cheaper, it is more efficient for it to concentrate on growing and exporting only apples while importing oranges, even though the oranges imported would not be as cheap as those if home grown.

compulsory voting

The requirement by law in a small number of democracies that citizens vote. Of those, approximately only a half enforce the law. Over the last two decades more countries have abolished the practice than introduced it. Wikipedia quotes a total of three studies of its effects, or probable effects, upon elections (Switzerland, Australia and the US), all of which claim C.V. would benefit left-wing parties.

Robert Conquest

British-American poet and historian of the Soviet Union and other aspects of 20^th century totalitarianism. Also known for his three laws of politics.

confederalism

A form of federalism where the individual regions that make up the sovereign state exercise a larger degree of autonomy. Often the right to secede and the sole right to raise taxes, the funding of the central government coming from the regions. The pre-Civil War slave states of America united to form the Confederated States of America to maintain states’ rights.

confirmation bias

The tendency to process and analyse information in alignment with one’s own pre-existing beliefs and values.

conservative

Often taken as synonymous with right wing with a penchant for censorship and state control to protect against ‘immoral’ personal behaviour, but technically an attitude of belief in the established order and suspicious of change.

constituent

A citizen residing in a particular MP’s area or district.

constitution

The set of basic rules by which a country or state is governed. Sometimes includes a Bill of Rights.    The ultimate set of laws to which all other laws made by contemporary governments are subservient to. The strength and integrity of a constitution is often reflected by the difficulty it is to be changed.

1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis

Controversial act of Governor General Sir John Kerr dismissing Prime Minister Gough Whitlam (who, ironically, chose Kerr as G.G.) and appointing Leader of the Opposition Malcolm Fraser as Prime Minister, on the condition he immediately call a general election. Situation brought on by the Opposition controlled Senate refusing to pass supply (money appropriation bills needed for normal government operations).

constitutional amendment

The process to alter a constitution. In the US it is ratification by either two-thirds of both the Senate and H.O.R., or three quarters of the state governments. In Australia, it is a proposal ratified by the Governor General and at least one house of parliament, and then approved in a referendum by a 'double majority': a national majority of voters in the States and Territories; and a majority of voters in a majority of the States.

consumer price index

A measurement of inflation by comparing, at regular intervals, the price (taking weighting into account) of a set of basic consumer goods and services purchased by households.

consumption tax

A tax levied on goods and services such as sales tax, GST, VAT or an excise tax. A tax on the spending of income rather than the earning of it, so as to include people who might otherwise evade income tax such as those in the black economy or successful with tax avoidance schemes.

contingent voting

A simplified version of instant-run off, preferential voting as once practiced in Alabama (US) in the 1920s and Queensland for 50 years until 1942. In single member electorates where no candidate wins a majority of primary votes, all but the top two candidates are eliminated, and their preferences go to the remaining candidates to decide which has the majority.

cordon sanitaire

Fr. for “sanitary cordon”. Originally used to identify a geographical area sealed off to isolate infectious diseases, but now also used to identify the isolation of extremist political parties by other parties not dealing with them in regards to coalitions, voting preferences or any other communications or benefits.

Corn Laws

British import tariffs on grains (rye, malt and wheat) in the early nineteenth century, so as to maintain the high price of local produce which benefited the farm owners, who themselves maintained significant political influence. Opposition advocating free trade as an alternative, from such theorists as Adam Smith, David Hume and David Ricardo, as well as the Anti-Corn Law League, eventually led to their abolition, but unfortunately not before the laws’ exacerbating effects upon the Irish Famine.

coup d’ėtat

Sudden and often violent internal overthrow of a government.

cracker barrel philosophy

Folksy, homespun, unsophisticated, and direct opinions expressed ad hoc in an informal setting. Term derived from 19^th century American provincial practice of meeting socially around the cracker barrel in country stores.

critical race theory

An academic theory claiming racism has not been diminished in the United States, but is maintained through societal structures and cultural assumptions, leading to Blacks rating lower on the economic scale and higher within the criminal justice system. Proponents include erstwhile Harvard professor Derrick Bell and Richarad Delgado, while a critic is University of Chicago Law School lecturer Richard Posner.

crony capitalism

A free market economic system abused to the degree where some business people have become successful due to their relationships with government. The ‘cronies’ of politicians receive favouritism in legal permits, government grants, tax breaks, licences and other forms of state intervention.

crossing the floor

An MP crossing the floor of Parliament to vote with his/her opposition. An act rarely forgiven in Commonwealth countries but common in the USA.

cultural hegemony

A concept advanced by Italian Marxist philosopher and politician of the early twentieth century, Antonio Gramsci, that the dominant ideology of a society reflects the beliefs and interests of the ruling class. Consent to the rule of the dominant group is maintained by the spread of its beliefs and values through such institution as schools, universities, the media, churches and the courts.  Alternatively, a political movement becomes the ruling class after it has engaged in over decades, with blissful ignorance by its opposition, what is often referred to as its ‘long march through the institutions’.

cumulative voting

A type of block voting but where the voter can choose, from the list of (for example) ten candidates running for four seats, his preferred four, or just two or even one. In such decisions, the selected candidates would get one quarter of a vote each, or half a vote, or where only one candidate received the vote, the whole vote.

cut out

In espionage, a third party intermediary for two spies / agents to communicate with each other.

damage control

The concerted defensive mode of response a political player sometimes adopts to offset the negative publicity when an embarrassing “situation” develops, such as a controversial comment, evidence of a scandal, egregious hypercritical actions or abuse of public position.

dark horse candidate

An unexpected, somewhat unknown candidate with little public exposure who has potential to win an election against established candidates. Term originated by British politician and author, Benjamin Disraeli.

deep state

State within a state. A situation in a country when a government agency, such as a branch of the armed forces, an intelligence agency, police, or a bureaucratic department, acts (conspiratorially or overtly) independently of civilian democratic leadership.

   deficit /       national debt

The shortfall in any one year of a nation’s income as compared to its expenditure / the total unpaid accumulated debt of the government over time.

deficit spending

Government intentionally spending more money than it takes in.

DEI

Diversity, equity and inclusion. A modern framework advanced by those who believe these three notions should be taken into account in employment, and other associations such political and judicial selections, to achieve what is termed social justice.

delegated legislation

Aka enabling legislation. Rules, regulations, by-laws, ordinances etc made by a government official under the authority of a specific act of parliament which sets out the broad purpose of what is desired, but delegates to that official’s office, the authority to create the minutia, the delegated legislation, necessary.  Whereas all parliamentary legislation is final and cannot be challenged in court (apart from constitutional inconsistencies) delegated legislation can be challenged in court if it is shown to violate the purpose of the original act.

demagogue

A manipulative leader who gains popularity by appealing to prejudice and basic instincts.

democracy

From the Greek ‘demos’ for the ordinary, common people and ‘kratos’ for power or strength.

deontology

The concept of moral obligation and binding duty. As compared to consequentialism, where an act is judged by its consequences (the ends justify the means), D. is where goodness or righteousness is judged by the act alone (the means justify the means).

descriptive / normative

Descriptive, aka positive, statements are alleged factual ones describing reality, while normative statements, based upon what is supposed to be the ‘normal’ or correct, are those claiming how things should or ought to be, and which actions are good or bad.

détente

A relaxing or easing of tensions between powers.

devil’s advocate

A person who tests a proposition by arguing against it. Originally a person appointed by the Catholic church, an advocatus diaboli, to search for any “dirt” on someone proposed for sainthood.

devolution

Transfer of powers from the national or central government to state or local government.

D’Hondt method

A procedure in non-STV pro-rep elections to evenly distribute seats where insufficient parties have won the normal quota of votes to claim the full number of seats available. Rather than unfairly distributing the final seats to the next more successful parties albeit still below a quota (and thus at a cheaper ‘price’), a complex algorithm is applied to work out a lower new quota of votes, where all seats are distributed for the same number of votes, with no party having a new quota remaining.

direct democracy

Aka  participatory democracy. Government by the people in fact rather than merely in principle. The citizenry themselves voting on all issues affecting them. Practised in ancient Greece and (to some degree) in some cantons of Switzerland and the New England states of America. Considered by most to be a highly impractical form of government.

dirigisme

Direct government control of a country's economic and social institutions. From the French ‘diriger’ to direct.

disinformation

Information that is false or misleading deliberately disseminated for strategic gain. Aka black propaganda.

district magnitude

The number of seats available for a single electorate/district/zone. In Australian federal elections it would be one for each of the 151 SMV lower house  electorates, and six for each state in half Senate elections.

division [Aust]

A vote taken in Parliament. Also another name for an electorate.

dog whistle

A type of political speech where a campaigner either does, or is alleged to, put code words in his / her speech to imply more than what is said on its face. For example ‘family values’ might simply refer to programs benefitting a normal nuclear family, or might imply religious values (eg. anti-abortion, anti- euthanasia); ‘law and order’ might refer to a return to the rule of law, or might imply increasing sentences and / or giving police more leeway to perform their duties. Like how only dogs can hear the dog whistle, only the target political audience can comprehend the real meaning of the innocuous words spoken by the politician.

dominion

The power or right of governing or controlling an entity, or the territory of such control.

donkey vote

The excess votes a candidate at the top of the ballot paper will get because of those voters who don’t bother to consider their decision but simply just tick the first box in sight. Otherwise known as the unthinking vote.

door stop interview

An informal, unarranged interview with a politician or other public figure, often undertaken when entering or exiting his/her home or place of business, by a single or group of reporters.

double dissolution

An Australian federal election with two exceptions to the normal general election. Rather than the usual 40 Senate seats being up for election (a so called half-Senate election), the full complement of 76 seats are vacated and thus the (state) quota to win a seat drops from 14.3% to 7.7%, thus making it easier for smaller parties to be successful. Secondly, both houses of Parliament are dissolved at the time of the election, rather than normal situation where the Senate only dissolves at the end of its set term, which can mean that it can be as much as eleven months after a normal election before the new Senators take their seats. The government can only call a DD election in specific situations as laid out by the Constitution.

doublespeak

Using language to distort or even reverse the meaning of unpalatable information that has to be given. Allegedly the amalgam of two George Orwell’s creations from his novel 1984, Doublethink and Newspeak.

‘Dorothy Dixer’

Questionable practice in Australian parliaments where some of the allocated time in ‘Question Time’ is used for back bench MPs to ask their own leaders prearranged softball questions. Dorothy Dix was an American newspaper advice columnist who prefered questions she made up herself.

doxing

To find out and publish on the internet private or identifying information about a public figure or organisation, such as their address.

Draconian

Adjective named after the 7^th Century BC Greek democratic legislator Draco who was authorised to draft the first written legal code from the existing oral code, and then to himself create respective punishments for the various crimes listed. Even for that period in history the punishments, such as the death penalty for the theft of a cabbage, were surprisingly harsh.

Dreyfuss affair

see Je Accuse

   drinking the Kool-Aid

To follow and support a no-chance-of-winning campaign or cause because of peer pressure. Alternatively, to ardently and  fanatically dedicate oneself to an idea or purpose whatever the cost. A reference to the tragic 1978 mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana where 913 cult followers of Rev. Jim Jones drank grape flavoured, but poison laced, Kool-Aid.

Droop quota / Hare quota

In pro-rep electoral systems the realistic quota to win a seat versus the theoretical quota. If there are three seats to be won in an election then in theory a quota of 33.3% of the vote (Hare) is needed to win every seat. However in practice, once a candidate has won 25% [100/(3+1)] of the vote, plus one more actual vote, he/she is granted a seat because it is then impossible for three further candidates to also win seats.

duchess

To court or curry favour for political or other advantage

dummy candidate

In SMV preferential systems where there are generally only two serious parties contesting (see Duverger’s Law), a D.C. may run, allegedly as an independent offering different policies to the two major, but in fact covertly appointed and financed by one of the major parties, with the intention of directing his/her preferences towards that party.

Dunning-Kruger effect

A cognitive bias in which people with unquestionable talents in a certain field think they therefor are similarly talented in areas outside of their expertise. A concept often discussed when actors, musicians, sports stars or business successes comment publicly on political matters or even run for office.

Duverger’s Law

Theory attributed to French political scientist Maurice Duverger, which asserts a nexus in the number of political parties in a democratic state with the electoral system used. Proportional Representation nurtures a growth in parties catering to most people’s needs while SMV systems over time, restrict parties to only two.

duumvirate / triumvirate / quadrumvirate

Latin terms to describe a group of two / three / four people joined in authority or office.

dynasty

A sequence of hereditary rulers.

dystopia

Alternative to utopia. Nightmare vision of society beyond that of even a failed, dysfunctional state, where the system is actually planned by those in power, creating, most often, a totalitarian society.  Fictional examples are Jack London’s The Iron Heel, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World  and George Orwell’s 1984.

elector

In practice the name often given by governments to voters in normal elections, or to those who have been appointed to a certain level so as to vote their choice to a higher office. Eg. the American Electoral College to choose the President. Technically, a voter who is successful in helping to get his preferred candidate elected. Term possibly used to disguise the fact that approximately half of all voters in SMV systems end up electing nobody.

electorate

Geographical areas used as a criterion for political representation. With regards to the lower house, single member, central government, the UK is  divided into 650 House of Commons “seats” while the United States has 435 House of Representatives “districts”, and Australia 151 “divisions” or “seats”. Electorates can also be multiple member and sometimes the term can refer to the voting public in general.

eleventh commandment

“Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow party member.” Popularized by Ronald Reagan in the 1960s in his attempts to stop Republican office holders and candidates publicly criticising other Republicans, rather than doing so in private.

Eloi / Morlocks

The two fictional races of the future from H.G. Wells’ novel, The Time Machine. The underground Moorlocks being the producers of the necessities of life for all, while the above ground Eloi live a banal carefree existence with all needs and desires fulfilled, while slowly becoming dissolute and naïve, little realising they are being kept as a source of food. E. sometimes used as a derogatory term to describe people who advocate policies which give a short-term gain without considering possible long term adverse ramifications.

Élysée Palace

Residence of the French president

emergency powers

Excessive powers not normally granted to the executive government, but by legislation are authorised, for a finite period, in exigent circumstances such as a declaration of war, coordinated terrorist attacks, an environmental disaster, or even an economic depression.

émigré

One who leaves their home country for political reasons.

eminence grise

‘Grey eminence’. A person who exercises power or influence in certain areas despite any appropriate rank. Named after Cardinal Richelieu’s right hand man, François Leclerc du Tremblay, who wore beige attire (known as grey). Historical examples who have received such description are 16^th century Catherine de Medici of France, Imperial Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi, Hitler’s private secretary Martin Bormann, post WWII Italian party leader Giulio Andreotti, and US vice president Dick Cheney.

eminent domain

The power of the government to claim private property. In Australia there is no restriction on state governments doing such, but when the federal government takes property it must be done on “just terms”. In the US the taking must be for “public use” and “just compensation” must be paid.

enabling legislation

see delegated legislation

enclave

A country or territory enclosed by the territory of another country.

an end-run around the constitution

Football analogy to describe a tactic of questionable legitimacy whereby the executive and / or the legislature manufacture a process whereby an action can be claimed to be legal even though, prima facie, it violates the tenets and text of the constitution.

the Enlightenment

Aka the Age of Reason. 18th century epoch of intellectual advancement where “humanity was brought into the light of reason out of the darkness of tradition and prejudice”. Originating in the UK but developing fully in continental countries such as France with thinkers such as Spinoza, Voltaire and Rousseau.

enrolment

The pre-requisite to voting. The voters name must be on the electoral roll before he/she can vote. Australian citizens of at least 18 yrs are allowed (and compelled) to enrol. In the USA those who choose to vote must repeatedly enrol for every election.

entente cordiale

Fr. for cordial understanding. A friendly understanding between nations.

equity

Apart from the financial meaning of the value of property being its market value less any debt held against it, E, not meaning equality, is a subjective term to denote, in the eyes of the speaker, fairness and/or justice.

equity law

An auxiliary part of common law where the courts not only have authority to modify existing common law to adapt to modern times, but in fact have the power to create original law, overriding  existing common law, in circumstances where it is deemed that without it, “unconscionable” conduct would occur.  

epistocracy

A suggested electoral system where votes are somehow weighted according to the degree of knowledge of the voter. In Ireland university graduates get to elect six university seats as well as exercising a normal vote shared by all other citizens. A similar system to the theory advocated in Nevil Shute’s novel ‘In the Wet’, as well as Mark Twain’s short story ‘The Curious Republic of Gondour’, called ‘multiple voting’ where every eligible person is granted one vote, and then others according to listed accomplishments they may have attained in their lives.

the Executive

That part of government which executes  the law of the land, as compared to the legislature which creates and maintains the law. The executive comprises public service officials from the Prime Minister/ President down, and is responsible for the daily administration of the state.

exchange rate

The relationship of the values of any two country’s currencies. Any one-off reading is informative when taking into account what each country’s unit of currency will buy in its own domestic market. Also relevant is when the rate changes over time indicating one country’s economy is not doing as well as the other.

exclusionary evidence

Relevant evidence disallowed in a criminal prosecution despite no claims against its authenticity. Concept practised in most Common-Law, Anglo-American countries but seldom in Civil Law, European countries.

exhausted vote

In optional preferential voting systems, a vote that was not fully completed and, in being counted, has reached its last candidate, still not made up a quota, and thus becomes worthless.

exit poll

Media financed polling in select areas taken on election day as the voters leave the voting booth.

ex officio

“by virtue of one’s office”. The power to do something or hold an office by virtue of the fact that one holds an earlier office. The American Vice President is, ex officio, the President of the Senate.