AP Comp Gov - Chapter 1

Key terms from chapter 1 of the "Essentials of Comparative Politics" textbook

Area Studies

The examination of specific world regions to understand their political, social, and economic dynamics.

Behavioral Revolution

A shift in political science emphasizing quantitative methods to analyze individual political behaviors.

Causal Relationship

A connection where one event or variable directly influences another.

Comparative Politics

The study of domestic politics and governance in different countries to identify patterns and contrasts.

Correlation

A relationship where two variables appear connected but do not necessarily cause each other.

Deductive Reasoning

A top-down approach to research that starts with a theory and tests it through observation.

Endogeneity

A situation where variables influence each other, making causation difficult to determine.

Formal Institutions

Established organizations or systems governed by officially sanctioned rules.

Inductive Reasoning

A bottom-up approach to research that starts with observations and develops broader theories.

Informal Institutions

Unwritten, culturally embedded rules or norms that influence behavior.

Institution

A set of rules or organizations that shape political, social, or economic behavior.

Modernization Theory

A theory suggesting that economic development leads to political and social changes, often toward democracy.

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of others or outcomes.

Politics

The process of making collective decisions through the distribution of power and resources.

Qualitative Method

A research approach focused on non-numeric data, such as interviews and case studies.

Quantitative Method

A research approach emphasizing statistical analysis and numeric data.