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expansion to an important concept
'''Political capital''' is a term referring to the amount of influence a public figure has over the government. It is typically gained by successfully achieving one's goals and by having a favorable image with the public. In turn, it is lost by being ineffective, unsuccessful, and unpopular.
'''Political capital''' is the influence and good will that a politician has obtained through electoral success, earning respect or inciting trepidation among peers, scoring political points with others, or popularity with the public.
The term came to prominence when [[President]] [[George W. Bush]] used it numerous times following his victory in the 2004 presidential election.<ref>Schlafly, Phyllis (01-05-2005) [http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2005/jan05/05-01-05.html ''Spending Bush's "Political Capital"''] Eagle Forum</ref>
Political capital can be gained or spent. It is gained by improving one's political stature with allies and adversaries. It is spent by accomplishing difficult goals by overcoming intense opposition, sometimes incurring bitterness afterwards. Similar to real capital, political capital can be wasted by poor strategic decision, ineffectiveness, and incompetence.
In elections, the winners gain political capital simply by prevailing. But in other political contests, it is not always immediately clear whether political capital was gained or lost. Winning can cause more animosity than what was politically gained, in which case the victor spent political capital rather than acquire it. Losing can build political capital if the cause was just and sympathies accrue based on the effort.
The term came to prominence when [[President]] [[George W. Bush]] used it numerous times following his victory in the 2004 presidential election.<ref>Schlafly, Phyllis (01-05-2005) [http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2005/jan05/05-01-05.html ''Spending Bush's "Political Capital"'']</ref>
== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Political Terms]]
[[Category:Political Terms]]