AP Comp Gov - Unit 2

Political Systems

Political Systems

the organizations that make up a government of a state

State

a body of people living in a defined territory wh have a government with the power to create laws.

Regime

The style of government a state has. (authoritarian, theocratic, etc.)

Government

The ruling and lawmaking body of a state.

Nation

A group of people with the same political goals, including self-government and sovereignty.

Regime, government, and nations of China

Authoritarian (Socialist) regime, Chinese Communist Party (People's Republic of China), Han; Tibetans; Uyghurs.

Regime, government, and nations of Iran

Theocratic regime, Ali Khamenei is Supreme Leader, Persian; Kurd; Azeri.

Regime, government, and nations of Russia

Authoritarian regime, Russian Federation's Vladimir Putin, Russians; Ukrainians; Tartars; Chechyans.

Regime, government, and nations of United Kingdom

Democratic (Constitutional Monarchy), Ki/Prime Minister (Charles, Rishi Sunak), England; Scotland; Wales; Ireland

Regime, government, and nations of Mexico

Democratic (Federal democracy), President AM. Lopez Obrador, Amerindian; Mestizo

Regime, government, and nations of Nigeria

Democratic (federal but illiberal democracy), President Muhammed Buhari, Hausa-Fulani; Yoruba; Igbo

Democratization

The transition of a state's government from an authoritarian regime to a democratic regime.

Factors that support democratization:

• fairer elections

• increased citizen participation in law-making

• universal freedoms for all citizens

• greater government transparency

• protected civil liberties

• equal citizen treatment

• establishing rule of law

Factors that impede democratization

• political corruption

• changes to election rules

• imposing limitations on civil liberties

Which AP Comparative Government states have undergone Democratic Consolidation?

Russia, China, Nigeria, Iran

What are some sources of power and authority?

• constitutions

• religions

• military forces

• political parties

• legislatures

• popular support

What are sources of power/authority for the UK?

• constitutional reforms that devolved power to the nations.

• house of commons and prime minister

What are sources of power/authority for Russia

• the political elites backing of Putin

• the election rules favor one party

What are sources of power/authority for China

• the Chinese Communist Party

• the CCP's control over the military

What are sources of power/authority for Nigeria

• the 2000 transition from military rule

• multi-party republic

What are sources of power/authority for Iran

• 1979 transition from a dictatorship to a theocracy

• Islamic Sharla law

What is a regime change?

A change in the way a state is organized that involves replacing rules and institutions.

What is a government change?

A change in the people who occupy positions of power, and it usually happens more often.

What are the three types of political change?

Reform, revolution, and coup d'état.

What is reform?

making the government system better

What is revolution?

The removal and long-term replacement of a form of government usually involving masses of people.

What is a Coup d'Etat

The forcible takeover of governing power, typically led by elites.

Examples of Revolutions in AP Comp Government countries.

Russia (1917), China (1949), Iran (1979), and Mexico (1910)

Examples of Coups in AP Comp Gov countries.

Several in Nigeria

What is a federal system?

A system of government where the power is split between the federal and state governments.

What is a unitary state?

A system of government where the power is only in one place.

What is devolution?

Devolution is when the national government of a state transfers some powers to the state level governments.

What is political legitimacy?

someone's right to rule as accepted by the state's citizens

What are factors that maintain legitimacy?

• economic well-being

• historical/traditional longevity

• charismatic leadership

• nationalism

• government satisfaction

What are factors that undermine legitimacy?

• increase in corruption

• reduced electoral competition

• poor economy

• social conflicts

How can devolution affect legitimacy?

When a federal government devolves power to regional governments, their legitimacy is more likely to increase because the regional governments feels secure and happy with them.

What is political stability?

The ability of a state to maintain it's sovereignty.