gerrymander
Meaning: To manipulate the boundaries of electoral constituencies to favour a particular political party or group; the act of such manipulation.
Gerrymandering is a form of electoral manipulation in which constituency boundaries are drawn to create an unfair advantage for one party. Techniques include 'cracking' (splitting opposition voters across multiple districts) and 'packing' (concentrating opposition voters in a few districts). In the UK, the independent Boundary Commission is designed to prevent gerrymandering, though accusations of politically motivated boundary changes still arise.
Examples
- Critics accused the ruling party of gerrymandering the constituency boundaries to secure an unfair electoral advantage. 批评者指责执政党通过不公正划分选区边界来获取不公平的选举优势。Los críticos acusaron al partido gobernante de manipular los límites de las circunscripciones para obtener una ventaja electoral injusta.批判者たちは与党が不公正な選挙上の優位を確保するために選挙区の境界を操作したと非難した。비판론자들은 여당이 부당한 선거상의 이점을 확보하기 위해 선거구 경계를 조작했다고 비난했다.
- The independent boundary commission was established to prevent gerrymandering. 独立的边界委员会的成立旨在防止不公正划分选区。La comisión de límites independiente se creó para prevenir el gerrymandering.独立した境界委員会はゲリマンダリングを防止するために設立された。독립적인 경계위원회는 게리맨더링을 방지하기 위해 설립되었다.
- Gerrymandering has distorted electoral outcomes in several countries where boundaries are drawn by partisan legislatures. 在由党派立法机构划定边界的几个国家,不公正划分选区已经扭曲了选举结果。El gerrymandering ha distorsionado los resultados electorales en varios países donde los límites son trazados por legislaturas partidistas.党派的な議会が境界線を引いているいくつかの国では、ゲリマンダリングが選挙結果を歪めてきた。당파적 의회가 경계선을 획정하는 여러 국가에서 게리맨더링이 선거 결과를 왜곡해 왔다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, media, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
Named after Elbridge Gerry, Governor of Massachusetts, who in 1812 approved a redistricting plan that included a salamander-shaped district. A newspaper cartoonist combined 'Gerry' and 'salamander' to coin 'gerrymander.'
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free