coalitionology

coalitionology

English

Etymology

coalition +‎ -ology

Noun

coalitionology (uncountable)

1. (Britain, Ireland, politics) (excessive) speculation in the run-up to a general election about possible coalition governments that might ensue
   • 1991 October 25, Daily Report. West Europe (United States. Foreign Broadcast Information Service) FBIS-WEU-91-207 p.17:

     During the working lunch "between Old Danish [well known aquavit] and matured cheese," as Carl Bildt put it, "comparative coalitionology" was discussed.

   • 2015 June 2, James Harding, Speech at VLV Conference

     But, surely, we and all other media organisations allowed the poll numbers to infect our thinking: there was too much ‘coalitionology’ as a result. The BBC did better than others on this, but, with the benefit of hindsight, we would all have been better off with less discussion of deals and allowed the dissection of policy - that we did from defence to social care, housing to education - to speak for itself.

   • 2015 December 16, Philip Cowley & Dennis Kavanagh, The British General Election of 2015 p.297 [→ISBN] (Palgrave Macmillan)

     It led to an explosion of coalitionology, debating hung parliaments, possible coalitions, constitutional process and the 'legitimacy' of various outcomes, as everyone prepared for post-election deals.

   • 2016 January 18, Tim Bale, quoted in "'Grand coalition' option cannot be ruled out" Irish Independent:

     But his advice was for the party to major on policy issues and avoid what he called "coalitionology".

   • 2016 January 18, Latest polls suggest current Coalition will fall short of majority, RTÉ:

     Speaking on the same programme, Harry McGee, Political Correspondent of the Irish Times, said it was all about "coalitionology", with much speculation about combinations.