Reapportion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
reapportion
[หriหษหpษหrสษn ]
Definition
allocation of resources
Reapportion refers to the process of redistributing or reallocating something, particularly in terms of legislative seats or electoral districts. This term is often used in the context of politics, where it describes the adjustment of the number of representatives based on changes in population or demographics. The goal of reapportionment is to ensure fair representation in legislative bodies, making sure that each district reflects the current population. It is typically undertaken every ten years following a census in many countries.
Synonyms
reallocate, reassign, redistribute.
Examples of usage
- The Senate must reapportion its seats after the census.
- After the latest population data, the state will reapportion its districts.
- Local governments may need to reapportion resources to meet community needs.
- Reapportionment can significantly impact election outcomes.
- The commission was tasked with reapportioning the legislative districts.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Political Science
- Reapportionment typically occurs after a census, which counts the population to ensure fair representation.
- In the United States, congressional seats are reapportioned among states every ten years based on census data.
- The process can lead to gerrymandering, where district boundaries are drawn to favor one party over another.
Demographics
- Population shifts, such as migration and urbanization, influence how resources are reapportioned.
- Reapportionment can reflect changing demographics, making some communities more politically powerful than others.
- In some countries, reapportioning can lead to significant policy changes affecting funding and resource allocation.
Economics
- The concept of reapportionment isnโt limited to political boundaries; it also applies to redistributing financial resources in organizations.
- Reapportionment can occur in budgeting processes to address changing priorities or needs within a government or company.
- Effective reapportioning of resources can improve efficiency and ensure that areas in need receive support.
Education
- Schools can face reapportionment when adjusting to shifts in student populations, leading to changes in funding and staffing.
- Educational resources may be reapportioned based on performance metrics to help struggling schools improve outcomes.
- Reapportionment in education can also involve the redistribution of grants and scholarships to promote equity.
Origin of 'reapportion'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and 'apportion' meaning 'to share or divide.'
- It originated in the English language in the late 19th century as the need for redistribution in governance grew.
- Its roots can be traced back to the Latin words 'a-' meaning 'to' and 'portiล' meaning 'share or part.'
The word 'reapportion' is formed by the prefix โre-โ, meaning 'again', and the word 'apportion', which derives from the Old French 'apportionner'. The term 'apportion' itself traces back to the Latin 'portionare', from 'portio' meaning 'part' or 'portion'. The use of 'reapportion' in a political context is relatively modern, as it became significant in the 20th century when demographic changes necessitated a more frequent adjustment of political boundaries to ensure representation accurately reflected population shifts. The process is essential in democratic systems where fair representation relies on maintaining a correlation between population distribution and electoral representation, especially after each census.