AP Comp Gov Unit 1

Comparative method

Examining the same phenomenon in several cases and reaching conclusions

Causation

When a change i one variable precipitates a change in another variable

Correlation

An apparent connection between variables

Empirical Statement

An assertion of fact that can be proven

Normative Statement

A value judgement usually in the form of a should or ought statement

Quantitative Data

observations made using statistical techniques, which are often conveyed in charts, graphs, tables, and maps.

Qualitative Data

Text-based descriptions, including explanations of how government and political institutions function.

Source analysis

reading and analyzing text

Human Development Index (HDI)

An aggregate measure of life expectancy, education, and per capita income.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of goods and services produced in a country in a year

GDP per capita

Gross domestic product divided by population

GDP growth rate

The percentage of GDP growth over a period of time.

Gini Index

A measure of income inequality within a country

Freedom House

A nongovernmental organization that advocates for democracy and human rights and measures freedom around the world

Democratic Consolidation

The process by which a regime has developed stable democratic institutions and significant protections of civil liberties and is unlikely to revert to authoritarianism

Corruption

The abuse of official power for personal gain

Corruption Perceptions Index

A measure of how corrupt a system is believed to be

Strong State

A state that is capable of providing necessary government services to its citizens

Failed State

A state that has lost control over all or parts of its territory

Fragile States Index

A measure of state strength, highlighting concerns about fragile and failed states.

State

Political institutions with international recognition that govern a population in a territory

Government

Institutions and individuals, such as the executive, legislature, judiciary, and bureaucracy, that make legally binding decisions for the state and that have the lawful right to use power to enforce those decisions.

Bureaucracy

A set of appointed officials and government workers who carry out policies and implement laws

Sovereignty

A state’s ability to act without internal or external interference

Regimes

A type of government, such as liberal democracy or authoritarian

Regime change

A change in the fundamental rules and system of government

Coup d’état

An overthrow of government by a small number of people often military leaders

Revolution

An overthrow of a regime based on widespread popular support

Nation

A group of people who share a sense of belonging and who often have a common language, culture, religion, race, ethnicity, political identity, or set of traditions to aspirations

Liberal democracy

A system with free and fair elections in which a wide array of civil rights and civil liberties is protected

Authoritarian states

A system without free and fair elections in which civil rights and liberties are restricted

Totalitarian

A type of authoritarian government where the state controls nearly all aspects of citizens’ lives

Illiberal, flawed, or hybrid democracies

A system in which elections may be marred by fraud and the state protects some civil rights and liberties but restricts others

Rule of law

A clear set of rules where government officials are subject to the same laws and penalties as citizens

Rule by law

Where the law is applied arbitrarily and government officials are not subject to the same rules and penalties as citizens

Transparency

The ability of citizens to know what the government is doing

Democratization

The process of transitioning from an authoritarian to a democratic regime

Democratic backsliding

Decline in the quality of democracy, including a decrease in citizen participation, rule of law, transparency, and accountability

Power

The ability to make someone do something they would not otherwise do.

Authority

The legitimate power a state has over people within its territory.

Theocracy

A system based on religious rule.

External sovereignty

A state is able to defend its territory without relying too much on other states of international organizations.

Internal sovereignty

A state has the sole authority to make and enforce laws and policies within a territory

Coercion

The use of force, or the threat of force, to get someone to do something they would not otherwise do. Also, a government’s use of force or threats to pressure individual behavior

Legitimacy

The citizens’ belief that the government has the right to rule.

Political efficacy

citizen’s belief that his or her actions can impact the government

Traditional legitimacy

The right to rule based on a society’s long-standing patterns and practices.

Charismatic legitimacy

The right to rule based on personal virtue, heroism, or other extraordinary characteristics.

Rational-legal legitimacy

The right to rule based on an accepted set of laws.

Unitary systems

A political system in which the central government has sole constitutional sovereignty and power

Federal systems

A political system in which a state’s power is legally and constitutionally divided among more than one level of government.

Devolution

Granting of powers by the central government to regional governments

Patron-clientelism

when those in power offer benefits to citizens in exchange for political support.

Head of state

The symbolic representative of a country

Head of government

The key executive in the policymaking process

Cabinet heads

An official appointed to run a government department with a specific policy area.

Sexenio

The single six-year term for the Mexican president.

Nongovernmental organizations

A nonprofit group outside the government’s control. NGOs usually focus on social or political issues.

Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers.

Chamber of deputies

The elected lower house of the Mexican Congress, which has the power to pass legislation, levy taxes, approve the budget and certify elections

Lower house

The legislative body in a bicameral system that typically has more memebrs, shorter terms, and less prestige than the upper house, but it may be the more powerful body in the legislature.

Senate

The elected upper house of the Mexican Congress which has the power to confirm appointments, ratify treaties, and approve federal intervention in the states.

Upper house

The legislative body in a bicameral system that typically has fewer members and may have more prestige but less power than the lower house.

Private capital

money invested in a business by an individual or a group of individuals

Foreign Direct Investment

money invested in a business which is located in another country