bipartisan

Bipartisan describes policies, actions, or positions that enjoy support from members of two major political parties. In many democracies, it denotes cooperation across party lines to approve legislation, set policy, or address national priorities, even if exact terms are negotiated. The term highlights cross-party consensus or compromise, in contrast to partisan approaches that rely on a single party and to nonpartisan approaches that avoid party labels.

Bipartisanship can take formal or informal forms, from cross-party coalitions to negotiated agreements on specific bills. In the United States, lawmakers from both parties may sponsor and pass legislation, request hearings, or craft budgets that secure support from more than one side. In other democracies, similar dynamics occur through coalitions or centrists accommodating differing priorities, depending on constitutional rules and party structures.

Historically, bipartisan efforts have facilitated policy in areas such as civil rights, national security, and economic policy, especially when there is a broadly shared sense of national interest. Critics argue that bipartisanship can dilute policy or require concessions to opposing factions, potentially weakening reform. Proponents contend that it can improve governance, reduce polarization, and produce more durable, widely supported outcomes.

Despite its potential benefits, true bipartisanship remains difficult in highly polarized environments. When incentives to oppose the other party outweigh incentives to cooperate, policy making can stall, leading to gridlock or executive actions that bypass broad legislative consensus.