In the context of U.S. politics, "bipartisanship" refers to the cooperative effort between the two major political parties—Democrats and Republicans—to achieve common goals. It often involves compromise on legislative issues, allowing for the passage of bills that may not align perfectly with either party's platform. Bipartisanship is considered vital for effective governance as it fosters collaboration and can lead to more stable and widely supported policies. However, increasing polarization has challenged the degree of bipartisanship achievable in contemporary politics.