AP Comp Gov Midterm Review

Causation

Change in one variable causes a change in another variable

Correlation

Connection between two variables

Empirical Statement

Assertion of fact that can be proven

normative statement

Value judgement, should or ought statement

Quantitative Data

Observations made using statistical methods such as charts, graphs, tables, maps

Qualitative Data

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

HDI (Human Development Index)

measures life expectancy, birth and death rates, education, quality of life

GDP

Economic indicator that represents total value of goods & services a country produces in a year

GDP per capita

Gross domestic product divided by the number of people in the population.

Gini Index

Measures income inequality from 0 (equality) to 1 (inequality).

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

Democratic Backsliding

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

Corruption Perceptions Index

Ranks countries on perceived corruption 0 to 100 (0 being highly corrupt)

Fragile States Index

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

state

A body of people living in a defined territory who have a government with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority

Government

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

Regime

A type of government, such as liberal democracy or authoritarian

Sovereignty

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

Regime change

A change in the fundamental rules and system of government

Coup d'etat

overthrow of government by a small number of people, usually military officials

Nationalism

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

Nation

a group of people with a common culture living in a territory and having a strong sense of unity

Liberal Democracy

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights.

Authoritarian state

Elections are not free or fair, high corruption, rule by law

Illiberal Democracy

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

Rule by law

government officials are not subject to the same rules and penalties as citizens.

Rule of Law

No one is above the law

Power

the ability to make someone do something they normally would not do

Authority

Legitimate power a state has over its population

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders

Legitimacy

Citizens' belief in the government's right to rule

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, sanctity, or other extraordinary characteristics

regional-legal legitimacy

the right of leaders to rule according to an accepted set of laws

political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation makes a difference.

Unitary Government

A way of organizing a nation so that all power resides in the central government.

Federal government

Powers are divided between a central government and several local governments

Devolution

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

Executive Branch

The president and their cabinet who enforce laws, sign treaties, and give executive orders

Legislature

The elected congressional body who have the power to make laws

Judiciary

That department of government which interprets the law relating to civil and criminal justice.

Parliamentary System

A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president.

Presidential System

a system of government in which the legislative and executive branches operate independently of each other

Semi Presidential System

An executive system that divides power between the president (head of state) and the prime minister (head of government)

Prime Minister

The chief executive of a parliamentary government

Member of Parliament (MP)

Directly elected member of the legislature in a parliamentary system

Separation of Powers

The division of power among branches of government that is necessary to prevent corruption

Divided Government

Governance divided between the parties, as when one holds the presidency and the other controls legislature

Head of government

The executive role that deals with formulating and executing policy

Head of State

The executive role that ceremonially represents the country

Snap Election

An election called earlier than expected, often to resolve stalemates and political impasses

Impeachment

A formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office

Vote of No Confidence

A vote showing that a majority does not support the policy of a leader or governing body.

Cabinet

A group of people who advise/assist the head of government in running the country

Legislative Oversight

Legislative monitoring of the executive branch to ensure that the latter complies with the law

Unicameral

A single-chamber legislature

Bicameral

Two house legislature

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare executive and legislative acts unconstitutional

Common Law

A system of law based on precedent and customs

Code Law

A set of written rules for people to obey

Civil Society

Ability of citizens to form groups outside the government's control

Interest Groups

Groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals to influence public policy decision-making

Political Culture

commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate

Political Socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

Post-materialism

Emphasizes self-expression and quality of life over economic and physical security

Individualism

People should be free to make their own decisions without government influence

Political Ideology

Set of beliefs and values about the role of government, individual rights, and economy

Neoliberalism

Supports free markets, free trade, and minimal government intervention in the economy.

Communism

Government has complete economic control of economy and property in an effort to abolish class distinctions

Socialism

Government controls major means of production in hopes of reducing income inequality

Fascism

Believes in primacy of state, emphasizes majority rights, oppresses minority, state interests dominate civil society & citizen interests

Populism

Government should place rights and interests of common people over elites

Informal Political Participation

Protest, civil disobedience, and political violence, including terrorism

Political Violence

Violence outside of state control that is politically motivated

Terrorism

The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.

Civil Rights

Government-given rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Civil Liberties

fundamental rights and freedoms protected from infringement by the government, such as freedom of expression, press, assembly, due process

Social Movements

Large, loosely organized groups that advocate for political change

Social cleavage

A division in society among social factors such as ethnicity, class, religion, or language.

Political Cleavage

Divisions based on different ideas about role of government and policy making goals

Asymmetrical Federalism

Federal system where some regions have more formal power and autonomy than others

British type of government

Unitary parliamentary government

Mexican type of government

Federal presidential government

Nigerian type of government

Federal presidential government

Russian Type of Government

Federal semi-presidential government

Iran type of government

Unitary semi-presidential government

China type of government

Unitary semi-presidential government

British regime

Democratic

Mexican regime

Democratic

Nigerian regime

Democratic

Russian regime

Authoritarian

Iran regime

Theocracy

China regime

authoritarian

British types of legitimacy

Traditional

Mexican types of legitimacy

Rational-legal

Nigerian types of legitimacy

Rational-legal

Russian types of legitimacy

Charismatic

Iran types of legitimacy

Traditional

China types of legitimacy

Traditional