APCOGPO VOCAB

Empirical Data

Information acquired through direct observation,experience, or experimentation.

Causation

The process or agency by which one event, act, or process produces another, serving as the fundamental link between cause and effect.

GDP Per Capita

Key economic metric that calculates the average economic output or income per person in a country, determined by dividing the total GDP by its population.

Fragile States Index

Annual report that assesses states vulnerability to conflict or collapse, ranking all the states that are members of the UN. Scale of 0 to 10, which 0 being the most stable and 10 being the least.

Corruption

The abuse of entrusted power for private gain that undermines economies and governance. Measured by indexes like CPI, and is combatted through strong instuttions, transparency, and anti-corruption laws.

State

Politically organized body of people occupying a definite territory with a sovereign government

Democratism

Democratism refers to the theory, principles, or an ideology prioritizing the "will of the people" as the ultimate source of justice. While often used interchangeably with democracy, it is also defined as a distinct, sometimes critical, concept describing an ideology that champions popular rule but often results in elite, expert-driven governance rather than actual popular control.

Free and fair election

An election in which coercion is comparatively uncommon. Political freedoms and fair processes leading up to a vote, a fair count of eligible voters, a lack of electoral fraud and voter suppression, and acceptance of election results by all parties.

Civic Participation

Individual or collective actions like voting, volunteering, and community organizing, designed to influence and address public concerns, strengthen communities, and influence policy.

Totalitarian regimes

Extreme, non-democratic forms of government that seek absolute control over all aspects of public and private life, permitting no individual freedom or opposition. Single party dictatorship, propaganda, surveillance, and state directed terror.

Civil liberties

Fundamental, constitutionally guaranteed freedoms that protect individuals from arbitrary government interference or overreach

Vote Thresholds

minimum share of votes that a candidate or party needs to get elected or get seats in legislature