UNIT 1 VOCAB

For AP Comparative Gov & Politics

Causation

When a change in a 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 judgment, 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.

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 by 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 non-governmental 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 Perception Index

A measure of how corrupt a system is believed to be.

Strong state

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

Failed State

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

Fragile States Index

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

State

Institutions that exercise sovereignty in a recognized territory over a permanent population.

Sovereignty

The recognized authority/ power to rule a territory/people without outside interference.

Supranational Organization

International organization in which many states must surrender some sovereignty & for common benefit. Ex: EU, WTO

Regimes

The political system of a state. Fundamental rules that control access to and the exercise of political power. Endure beyond individual governments or leaders.

Government

Set of institutions or individuals legally empowered to make binding decisions for a state

Nation

People bound together by a common culture, language, ethnicity, history, or religion.

Regime Change

A change in the fundamental rules and system of government.

Change in gov

A change in leaders, without fundamental changes in the system of government.

Nationalism

When a group has a strong sense of identity and believes it has its own destiny.

Bureaucracy

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

International recognition

A formal step taken by a state to grant official status to another state and begin treating it as a member of the global community.

Coup d'etat (coup)

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

Revolution

An overthrow of a regime based on widespread popular support.

Liberal Democracy

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

Authoritarian state

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

Totalitarian state

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

Illiberal/ Flawed/ Hybrid democracy

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.

Democratization consolidation

The process by which a regime has developed stable democratic institutions and significant protects 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.

Power

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

Authority

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

Theocracy

A system based on religious rule

Legitimacy

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

Political Efficacy

A 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

Charistmatic 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 System

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

Federal System

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.