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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  • Language Minority Voters
    Language minority voters are individuals whose primary language is not English and who may face language barriers when accessing the voting process. Language minority voters may feel excluded from the political process because of the lack of language support, such as bilingual ballots or voting mate...
  • Lesser of Two Evils
    The term "lesser of two evils" in politics refers to a situation where voters face a choice between two major-party candidates, neither of whom they find particularly appealing, but feel compelled to vote for the one they perceive as less undesirable. For example, a voter might not like either the R...
  • Liberalism
    Liberalism is the idea that individuals should be free to choose and pursue their own goals and interests, while government should be responsible for protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens. Liberalism holds that all individuals should have the right to enjoy the same civil liberties and poli...
  • Libertarian Party
    The Libertarian Party is a reform-minded political party in the United States that is committed to individual freedom, economic freedom, and personal responsibility. It stands for the idea that government should be limited to its proper role, protecting citizens from coercion and violence, and leavi...
  • Libertarianism
    Libertarianism is a political philosophy that promotes individual liberty and limited government. Its adherents argue for the freedom of individuals to make choices about their own lives and for the minimization of state power and involvement in the economy and society. It stands in opposition to au...
  • Limited Government
    Limited government is the idea that government should be small and limited in its scope and power, with citizens having the maximum freedom and autonomy possible. This approach is rooted in the belief that the less government interference in people's lives, the better. It is also based on the idea o...
  • Lobbying
    Lobbying is the process of attempting to influence legislation, policy-making, or the decision-making of public officials, usually by individuals or groups outside of the government. It is a tool used to pressure elected officials to support or oppose certain policies, legislation, or regulations. L...
  • Local Government
    Local government refers to the administration and management of local affairs within a specific geographic area. This can include city, county, and state governments, as well as school boards, water districts, and other special purpose districts.