logrolling

[ lawg-roh-ling, log- ]

noun

1. U.S. Politics. the exchange of support or favors, especially by legislators for mutual political gain as by voting for each other's bills:

   a state senate famous for its logrolling—and suspected of rampant corruption.

2. cronyism or mutual favoritism among writers, editors, or critics, as in the form of reciprocal flattering reviews; back scratching:

   the well-established journalistic practice of logrolling and mutual admiration.

3. the action of rolling a log or logs to a particular place.
4. the action of rotating a log rapidly in the water by treading upon it, especially as a competitive sport; birling.

logrolling

/ ˈlɒɡˌrəʊlɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice of undemocratic agreements between politicians involving mutual favours, the trading of votes, etc
2. another name for birling See birl 1

logrolling

1. In politics, advance agreement by legislators to vote for one another's bills. Logrolling is most common when legislators are trying to secure votes for bills that will benefit their home districts. For example, a group of congressmen from the Middle West pushing for higher dairy prices and a group of southern congressmen supporting higher tobacco prices might make a logrolling agreement in order to get both bills passed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of logrolling¹

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; log ¹ + rolling

Example Sentences

“The single-subject rule prevents logrolling, namely, the passage of legislation that, if standing alone, could not muster the necessary votes for enactment,” the lawsuit reads.

From Seattle Times

Kelly said most Kansans don’t support such policies, and she chastised lawmakers for “logrolling” them into the education funding bill rather than proposing them as separate bills.

From Washington Times

Without the structure parties provide, logrolling, favor-trading and compromise on legislation would have to start from scratch each time a bill is proposed.

From Washington Post

Lawyers also debated whether the measure was “logrolling” too many different subjects and whether the state could really base vehicle values off the private company Kelley Blue Book, as called for in the initiative.

From Seattle Times

Evnen said another measure amounted to unconstitutional “logrolling” because it offered money for property tax credits, but only if the gambling legalization measure went into effect.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• aid
• assistance
• collaboration
• participation
• partnership
• service
• unity