Unit 1 AP GOV Vocab

Inferences

conclusions drawn from evidence and data.

Quantitative

information that can be measured and expressed with numbers.

Qualitative

descriptive information based on qualities or characteristics rather than numbers.

Empirical data

information gathered through observation, experiments, or real-world evidence.

Facilitate

to make a process easier or help it occur.

Causation

a relationship where one factor directly produces an effect.

Variable

a factor that can change and influence outcomes.

Stability

the ability of a system or government to maintain order and continuity.

Correlation

a relationship where two variables move together, but one does not necessarily cause the other.

Normative Statements

value-based opinions about what should be.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

the total value of goods and services produced within a country in a year.

Per Capita

a measurement per person, often used to compare wealth or income.

State

a political unit with defined territory, population, government, and sovereignty.

Nation

a group of people who share a common identity, culture, or history.

Binding

legally or formally enforceable.

Sovereignty

supreme authority within a territory.

Aspiration

the recognized right to make and enforce decisions.

Adherence

obedience or commitment to rules or policies.

Arbitrary

based on personal judgment rather than clear rules.

Transparency

openness and accountability in government actions.

Ethnic Diversity

the presence of multiple ethnic groups within a society.

Quotas

fixed numerical limits or requirements.

Threshold

the minimum level required for something to take effect.

Impede

to slow down or obstruct progress.

Revert

to return to a previous condition or system.

Consensus

general agreement among participants.

Sustainable

able to be maintained over time without collapse.

Authority

the recognized right to make and enforce decisions.

Devolution

the transfer of power from central government to regional authorities.

Incremental

occurring gradually in small steps.

Revolution

a rapid and fundamental transformation of a political system.

Autonomy

the ability of a group or region to govern itself.

Uniform

the same across all cases or regions.

Centralized

power concentrated at the national level.

Decentralized

power distributed to regional or local governments.

Constituents

the people represented by an elected official.

Provisions

specific rules or clauses within laws or constitutions.

Nationalism

strong identification with and loyalty to the nation.

Institutionalized

formally established within a system or organization.

Undermine

to weaken authority, stability, or effectiveness.

Regime

the rules, institutions, and practices that determine how a country is governed.

Human Development Index (HDI)

a measure of development based on life expectancy, education, and income.

Gini Index (coefficient)

a measure of income inequality within a country.

Freedom House

an organization that measures political rights and civil liberties.

Transparency International

an organization that measures corruption worldwide.

Failed States Index

a ranking that measures state fragility and instability.

Democratic

a system where power is derived from the people through free elections.

Democratization

the process of transitioning toward democracy.

Democratic consolidation

when democracy becomes stable and widely accepted.

Authoritarian

a system with limited political freedoms and concentrated power.

Political identity

how individuals or groups see themselves politically.

Rule of Law

the principle that everyone, including leaders, is subject to the law.

Sharia Law

Islamic law derived from the Quran and religious teachings.

Illiberal Democracy

a system with elections but limited civil liberties and rule of law.

Hybrid Regime

a system combining democratic and authoritarian features.

One-Party State

a system where only one political party is allowed to govern.

Theocracy

a system ruled by religious leaders or laws.

Totalitarian Government

a system where the state seeks total control over public and private life.

Military regime

a government controlled by military leaders.

Universal suffrage

the right of all adult citizens to vote.

Civil Rights

protections against discrimination and unequal treatment.

Civil Liberties

individual freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly.

Political Corruption

the misuse of public power for private gain.

Regime Change

replacement of one governing system with another.

Coup/coup d’etat

a sudden, illegal seizure of power.

Federal States

systems where power is shared between national and regional governments.

Unitary States

systems where power is centralized in the national government.

Ethnic cleavages

deep divisions between ethnic groups that affect politics.

Supranational organizations

organizations where member states give up some sovereignty.

Political legitimacy

public acceptance of a government’s right to rule.