Definition of Party Caucus

A caucus may be nothing more than a private meeting of politicians.

A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement for the purpose of discussing and, ideally, agreeing on a course of action. The term is principally used in the United States, which, in the early years following independence from England, had no political parties, only caucuses.

General Meanings

The most general meaning of "caucus" is that of a temporary group of individuals gathered to discuss and, possibly, make a choice. Beyond this basic meaning, the term has two general meanings. One meaning is a meeting of members of a political party to nominate candidates, decide tactics, or coordinate group policy. Another meaning is a subgrouping of officials with shared affinities or ethnicities who convene, often but not always to advocate, agitate, lobby, or to vote collectively, on policy. The specific meaning and usage of the term varies depending on the political structure of a country: in countries with a parliament, "caucus" is more often a collective term for all members of a party in parliament.

U.S. Caucuses

In the U.S. a caucus is a closed meeting of the members of one party to choose candidates and organize policy; a group of politicians engaged in such activity is also called a caucus. In some cases, a caucus may be the leading politicians of one party or, again, a meeting of such a group of politicians. A caucus may also be a local meeting of party members.

U.S. Party vs. U.S. Caucus

In the early years following their successful political separation from England, the founders of the new government of the United States didn't trust the long-term political power political parties tended to accumulate. They favored, instead, caucuses: meetings of individuals to discuss and make decisions about certain specific issues of the time. The differences between political party and caucuses were very important to the early leaders of the U.S. government: a caucus, being by nature temporary and focused on certain key issues, would not sublimate the needs and rights of citizens to the long-term survival of vested interests.

Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand

In Canada the use of the term "caucus" is similar to its usage in the U.S., but in Canada it refers to all members of a party in parliament or a provincial legislature. Also similar to the North American usage, "caucus" in Britain refers to a group or faction within a larger political party to choose candidates and organize policy. In Australia the term is only used by the Australian Labor Party and refers to a meeting of the members of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. In New Zealand it refers to a formal meeting of all members of parliament belonging to one political party.

Related Terms

The term and usage of "caucus" is similar to the European term "platform." "Faction" is similar in idea, but with negative connotations. According to Sesagent, "party meeting," "party convention," "party congress," and "party conference" all have similar connotations and meanings.

References

• Sensagent: Caucus