crosspartisan

Crosspartisan is an adjective used to describe actions, policies, or actors that seek support or legitimacy across political party lines, or that aim to appeal to voters beyond any single party. It emphasizes collaboration among multiple parties or independent actors rather than allegiance to one party.

In politics and policy discourse, crosspartisan approaches seek common ground on issues where consensus is possible, such as infrastructure, public health, anti-corruption, or national security. The term appears in think tank analyses, journalism, and government planning to describe initiatives that involve participants from more than one party or from outside formal party structures.

Crosspartisan differs from bipartisan in that it may include three or more parties or cross-ideological groups, whereas bipartisan typically refers to cooperation between two sides. Nonpartisan contexts can also intersect with crosspartisan efforts when policy proposals aim to transcend party labels altogether.

Advantages attributed to crosspartisan work include broader legitimacy, greater policy durability, and reduced polarization if proposals gather wide support. Challenges include reconciling differing priorities, the risk of diluting positions, and potential political costs for participants who face backlash from their own party bases. Additionally, the label can be used rhetorically without yielding substantial policy changes.

The term is commonly used in political analysis, governance discussions, and media coverage to describe efforts that attempt to bridge ideological divides and foster cross-party collaboration.