Bipartisan

Bipartisan Definition

Bipartisan refers to a relationship or arrangement involving two distinct parties, often in the context of formal economic or political negotiations and agreements. It describes a situation where governance or negotiation involves the interplay between these two entities.

Political Context

The term is frequently employed by social scientists to analyse political dynamics, particularly concerning the structure of established political systems. For instance, bipartisanship has been identified as a contributing factor explaining why third parties, such as the Socialist and People’s Parties in the United States, have struggled to achieve success within an entrenched two-party framework.

Party Dynamics

In this context, the process of bipartisanship highlights the inherent difficulties faced by nascent political movements attempting to establish themselves against an established system. Furthermore, the interaction between parties can involve strategic incorporation; for example, more conservative parties have found it relatively simple to assimilate elements from the platforms of more reform-oriented third parties, which consequently diminished the appeal of those alternative viewpoints to the electorate.