Ap comp

Quantitative information

Information presented in numbers for comparison and drawing conclusions.

Qualitative information

Information presented in statements.

Correlation

Relationship between two sets of data.

Causation

One variable influencing another.

Empirical statements

Statements that present facts.

Normative statements

Statements including value judgments.

Linkage institutions

Connect people to policymaking.

States

Political organizations with sovereignty.

Charismatic legitimacy

Centralized legitimacy around one person.

Unitary states

Concentrate power in one government level.

Devolution

Central government granting powers to regional governments.

Federal states

Official division of power between central and regional governments.

Traditional legitimacy

Acceptance based on historical continuity.

Legitimacy

Acceptance of the state's right to rule.

Sovereignty

State's ultimate decision-making authority.

State institutions

Formal bodies involved in policymaking.

Nation

Group sharing commonalities and desiring sovereignty.

Regime

Rules governing a political system.

Reforms

Gradual and evolutionary changes.

Revolutions

Sudden and extreme changes.

Cleavages

Basis for political conflict separating people.

Cross-cutting cleavages

Independent divisions of people's interests.

Coup d’états

Military seizure of political power.

Government

People holding political power in official positions.

Nationalism

Belief in state's capabilities.

Radicals

Prefer dramatic and revolutionary change.

Liberals

Prefer progressive change through legal reforms.

Conservatives

Prefer minimal social change.

Fascism

Praise state and people's superiority.

Communism

Belief in economic equality for true freedom.

Political culture

Norms and standards for political activity.

Liberalism

Belief in economic and personal freedom.

Referendums

Citizen votes on essential policy changes.

Civil society

Group defining people's interests.

Pluralist societies

Allow natural civil society formation.

Corporatist societies

State-controlled civil societies.

Social Democracy

Focus on resolving economic inequality.

Liberal democracies

Respect people's rights in policymaking.

Illiberal democracies

Hold elections but may not guarantee rights.

Rule of law

Emphasizes law's importance in a country.

Proportional representation

Equal seats based on votes for parties.

Single-member-district systems

Seats to candidates with most votes in districts.