Glossary of Laeralian politics

This glossary of Laeralian politics defines terms and phrases used in politics in Laeral.

• Bajian xing: The eight-pointed star adopted as a symbol of Laeral during the Republican Era.

• Binationalism: The official state policy of Laeral on race relations, emphasizing distinctions between Rén and Arrivée Laeral within the framework of shared values and belief in Laeral.

• Blue Bloc: The right-wing political parties of Laeral which frequently cooperate in the National Assembly (Laeral), primarily the Laeralian People's Party.

• C&C (or CNC): The Laeralian president, in shorthand. The term may originates from the French commandant en chef, meaning "commander-in-chief" or from “chef cueilleur,” a French transliteration of a Mandarin homonym for “president." It was first used in print in the 1970s.

• Common Laeralian Home: A slogan associated with promoting the minimization of racial distinctions in Laeralian public life. Contrast with "One Country, Two Nations."

• Eternity Clauses: The two clauses of the 1954 Laeralian Constitution which override all other clauses of the constitution: namely, the democratic nature of the state (the Democracy Clause) and racial and ethnic equality under the law (the Racial Equality Clause).

• Étupol: Shorthand for the Laeralsford College of Political Studies, an elite university which has produced numerous presidents, prime ministers, and other leading politicians.

• Fabriards: An influential farmer's lobby.

• Gramontist Thought Club: A student group dedicated to studying the works of René Gramont and other Gramontist leaders at a high school or university.

• Grande dame: A woman of particular social and political influence in a given city, usually Laeralsford or Althea. The term originated during the colonial era and has resurfaced to refer to influential female leaders of party machines, such as Tanvi Misra in Fuxing or Florence Cho in Lienne.

• Laeralian Railways One: The president's official train.

• List-filler: A candidate for the Assembly of Commons placed so far down their party's list as to have little chance of achieving election. These are often loyal party activists honored for their work or alternately celebrities or other public figures.

• North Bank issue: A political issue or bill of interest only to political insiders, originating from the location of the National Assembly, Republic House, and many executive agencies in the North Bank of Laeralsford.

• One Country, Two Nations: A slogan associated with binationalism.

• Pork-bunning: Colloquial term for a political candidate engaging in electioneering, particularly in a rural setting. Stems from the practice of distributing pork buns to passers-by and supporters.

• Racialism: A mildly derogatory term for binationalist policies or rhetoric seen as over-emphasizing race to the point of divisiveness, at the expense of national unity. Compare with "Communalism"

• Red Bloc: The left-wing political parties of Laeral which frequently cooperate in the National Assembly, primarily the Progressive Party of Laeral.

• Red Collar: The Laeralsford suburbs, known for their traditional firm allegiance to Gramontist/socialist political parties.

• Republic House: The residence of the Laeralian president in Laeralsford, used metonymically to refer to the president and their administration.

• Straw doctorate: An academically-unrigorous doctoral degree often attained by the politically ambitious.

• Triad: One of the several organized-crime syndicates that operated as an interest group and influential actor in local politics, particularly during the late 20th century.

• Yellow Bloc: Term used to refer to the New Democratic Alliance (Laeral) and its allies in the legislature. Has not achieved widespread use comparable to "Blue Bloc" or "Red Bloc."

• Zhou jacket: A type of tunic-style jacket associated with President Zhou Wei-lin and subsequently adopted by Gramontist politicians.