Outvoting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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outvoting
[aʊtˈvoʊtɪŋ ]
Definition
voting situation
Outvoting refers to the act of casting more votes than another party or group in an election or decision-making process. This action can lead to a majority in any voting scenario, effectively overpowering the votes of others. It is commonly seen in political contexts where one party may have a higher turnout of voters compared to another. The concept also applies in organizations or committees where members may outvote dissenting opinions.
Synonyms
outnumber, overrule, overvote.
Examples of usage
- The candidate was outvoted in the final poll.
- They successfully outvoted the opposing side.
- In the meeting, the majority outvoted the minority motion.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Politics
- Outvoting often occurs in elections where one party achieves a majority, showcasing the power dynamics in political systems.
- Instances of outvoting can lead to significant power shifts in government, impacting policy-making and representation.
- Can also trigger discussions on fairness and equality, especially in contexts with disproportionate representation.
Psychology
- The concept of outvoting relates to social influence, where the majority's preference can sway individual decisions.
- Groupthink can play a role, where individuals in a majority may suppress their own opinions to conform.
- Understanding outvoting can help in fostering debates and discussions that encourage diverse opinions rather than just majority rule.
Civic Engagement
- High turnout in elections can lead to more instances of outvoting, emphasizing the need for unique voices to be heard.
- Promoting voting awareness and participation can help avoid scenarios where one group consistently outvotes others.
- Grassroots movements often aim to organize communities to ensure they can effectively participate and avoid being outvoted.
Technology
- Online voting systems and platforms have emerged, creating new dynamics for outvoting, especially in remote communities.
- Technological advancements in data collection allow political analysts to predict outvoting trends in real-time during elections.
- Social media has become a tool for mobilization, greatly influencing outvoting by rallying support quickly.
Origin of 'outvoting'
Main points about word origin
- The word combines 'out', meaning beyond or more, with 'voting', which comes from Latin 'votum', meaning a wish or vow.
- The term has evolved alongside democratic traditions, highlighting the competitive nature of choosing leaders and policies.
- First recorded use of the word dates back to the early 20th century, reflecting the growing importance of competitive voting in politics.
The term 'outvoting' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'out-' meaning 'beyond' or 'exceeding' and the verb 'vote', which comes from the Latin 'votum' meaning 'a vow or a wish'. The usage of 'vote' in political contexts can be traced back to the Roman Republic where citizens had the right to vote for their leaders. This practice evolved over centuries into various forms of democratic processes seen today. 'Outvoting' specifically gained traction as electoral systems expanded, and the importance of majority rule became a central tenet in decision making. As societies adopted more inclusive voting mechanisms, the ability of one group to outvote another became increasingly significant in the realms of politics, governance, and social organizations.