AP GOV U1

GOV

quantitative data

quantitative data

Data associated with mathematical models and statistical techniques used to analyze spatial location and association.

qualitative data

Data associated with a more humanistic approach to geography, often collected through interviews, empirical observations, or the interpretation of texts, artwork, old maps, and other archives.

empirical data

based on factual statements and statistics

normative statement

claims that attempt to prescribe how the world should be

causation

when one variable precipitates one change in another variable

correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.

HDI

Human Development Index - a composite number used by the United Nations to measure and compare levels of achievement in health, knowledge, and standard of living

GDP

Gross Domestic Product- the total market value of all final goods and services produced annually in an economy

Gini index

A statistical formula that measures the amount of inequality in a society; its scale ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 corresponds to perfect equality and 100 to perfect inequality

Freedom House

an organization that studies democracies around the world and ranks them on a 1-7 scale

Fragile States Index

(formerly called the Failed States Index) is reported by The Fund for Peace which is a non-governmental organization that assesses and ranks countries based on their potential to weaken due to conflicts and domestic turmoil.

Transparency International

A non-governmental organization that monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international development

political systems

The system a government uses to govern, or set rules for the safety of, its people.

regime

(n.) a government in power; a form or system of rule or management; a period of rule

state

An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government with control over its internal and foreign affairs.

nation

a large aggregate of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.

government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

sovereignty

Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs by other states.

democracy

a political system that featuring: selection to public offices through free and fair elections; the right of all adults to vote; political parties that are free to compete in elections; government that operates by fair and relatively open procedures; political rights and civil liberties; an independent judiciary (court system); civilian control of the military

authoritarianism

A political system in which a small group of individuals exercises power over the state without being constitutionally responsible to the public.

rule of law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

transparency

the presentation of a company's facts and figures in a way that is clear and apparent to all stakeholders

illiberal democracy

A procedural democracy, with elections, but without real competition, and lacking some civil rights and liberties.

hybrid regime

a class of regime that appears to be neither fully democratic nor fully authoritarian, such as electoral authoritarianism, delegative democracy, and illiberal democracy

one-party state

a political system in which one party controls the government and actively seeks to prevent other parties from contesting for power

theocracy

a state dominated by the clergy, who rule on the grounds that they are the only interpreters of God's will and law

totalitarianism

A political system in which the state attempts to exercise total control over all aspects of public and private life, including the economy, culture, education, and social organizations, through an integrated system of ideological, economic, and political control. Totalitarian states rely on extensive coercion, including terror, as a means to exercise power.

military regime

a non-democratic regime in which the selectorate is typically limited to the highest ranks of the military officer corps

democratization

A process of transition as a country attempts to move from an authoritarian form of government to a democratic one.

corporatist system

government created and supported interest groups (typically for labor groups, business owners, and agricultural workers) that become the government's preferred linkage institutions for citizen participation

pluralist system

A political system in which a large number of groups representing a wide variety of interests are able to influence the decisions of government. Government tries to satisfy as many groups as possible, and no group has a dominant influence on government

democratic consolidation

The widespread acceptance of democracy as the permanent form of political activity; all significant political elites and their followers accept democratic rules and are confident everyone else does as well

coup d'etat

A forceful, extra-constitutional action resulting in the removal of an existing government.

revolution

a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.

coercion

the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats

federal system

A political structure in which subnational units have significant independent powers; the powers of each level are usually specified in the federal constitution.

unitary system

in contrast to a federal system, a system of government in which no powers are reserved for subnational units of government

multiethnic states

A state that contains multiple ethnicities/races

ethnic cleavages

most divisive and explosive social cleavages, full scale civil wars in the world, based on different cultural identities, etc.

supranational organizations

cooperating groups of nations that operate on either a regional or international level.

political legitimacy

the view of citizens that their government has the lawful authority to govern

nationalism

A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country

political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference

devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

political ideology

the coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals

neoliberalism

A term used to describe government policies aiming to promote free competition among business firms within the market, including reduced governmental regulation and social spending.

communism

according to Marxism, the stage of development that follows socialism and in which all property is publically-owned, economic production is coordinated for the common good, and a radical degree of equality has been achieved

private capital

The money that is generated by, and owned by privately owned businesses or private individuals. This is not money generated or owned by the government.

foreign direct investment

Investment made by a foreign company in the economy of another country.