AP Comparative Government and Politics Vocabulary List 2024-2025

AP Comparative Government and Politics Vocabulary Flashcards

Correlation

A measure of how strongly two or more variables are related to each other.

Causation

The relationship between cause and effect. One variable causes another.

Empirical statement

A statement based on factual evidence and observation.

Normative statement

A statement involving a value judgment or opinion.

Quantitative data

Data that can be quantified and measured numerically.

Qualitative data

Data that is descriptive and conceptual; it cannot be measured numerically.

Comparative politics

The study of domestic politics and government across different countries.

Human Development Index

A summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a decent standard of living.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of goods and services produced in a country in one year.

GDP per capita

GDP divided by the population of the country.

Gini index

A measure of income inequality within a country.

Freedom House

An organization that assesses the level of political rights and civil liberties in a country.

Fragile State Index

An index that measures the vulnerability of a state to collapse.

Failed state

A state that is unable to perform the basic functions of a government.

Corruption

Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power.

Corruption Perceptions Index

An index that measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in different countries.

Government bureaucracy

The body of government officials and employees who administer and carry out public policy.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself.

International recognition

Acknowledgment by other states that a government is legitimate and has the right to rule.

Regime

The set of rules, norms, and institutions that govern a state.

Regime change

The replacement of one regime with another.

Change in government

A change in the leadership of a government.

Nation

A group of people who share a common identity, culture, language, or history.

Nationalism

A feeling of pride and loyalty to one's nation.

Liberal democracy

A political system based on the principles of individual rights, the rule of law, and representative government.

Authoritarian state

A political system in which the government has unlimited power and does not tolerate dissent.

Totalitarian state

A political system in which the government controls all aspects ofpublic and private life.

Illiberal, flawed or hybrid democracy

A political system that combines elements of democracy and authoritarianism.

Rule of law

The principle that all people are subject to the law and that the law is applied fairly and equally.

Rule by law

The use of law to suppress dissent and maintain power.

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people.

Authority

The right to use power.

Theocracy

A system of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of God.

Coercion

The use of force or threats to compel someone to do something against their will.

Political liberalization

The process of making a political system more democratic.

Economic liberalization

The process of making an economy more market-oriented.

Devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to regional or local governments.

Parliamentary sovereignty

The principle that parliament is the supreme legal authority in a country.

FPTP (First Past The Post) Single Member District

An electoral system in which the candidate who receives the most votes in a district wins the election.

Referendum

A vote in which citizens are asked to decide on a specific issue.

Austerity measures

Measures taken by a government to reduce spending and debt.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments.

Rentier state

A state that derives a significant portion of its revenue from the rent of indigenous resources to external clients.

Resource curse

The paradox that countries with abundant natural resources tend to have slower economic growth and worse development outcomes.

Oligarchy

A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.

Cleavage

A division in society that causes people to align into opposing groups.

Political godfathering

Use of power, authority, or influence of a 'Political Godfather,' to provide protection or preferential treatment, especially using illegal or corrupt methods.

Foreign direct investment

An investment made by a company or individual in one country into business interests located in another country.

Structural Adjustment Program

Loans provided to countries by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank under the condition that they implement certain economic policies.

Cross cutting cleavage

A cleavage that divides society into many different groups that may be allied on one issue but opposed on another.

Patron-clientelism

A political system in which favors and benefits are exchanged between patrons and clients.

NGOs

A nonprofit organization that operates independently of the government.

Bicameral legislature

A legislature with two chambers.

Mixed electoral system

An electoral system that combines elements of proportional representation and single-member districts.

Proportional representation (PR)

An electoral system in which seats in the legislature are allocated to parties in proportion to the votes they receive.

Pluralism

A political system in which many different groups are able to participate in the policymaking process.

Coup

A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.

Theocracy

A system of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of God.

Sanction

A penalty imposed on a country or individual for violating international law.

MMD (multimember district)

An electoral districts that has more than one representative.

Shiite Islam

The branch of Islam that believes that the successor to Muhammad should be a direct descendant of his family.

Cabinet head

A body of high-ranking state officials, typically consisting of the top leaders of the executive branch.

Civil society

Organizations and groups that are independent of the government.

Mandate

The authority to carry out a policy or course of action, regarded as given by the electorate to a candidate or party that has won an election.

Political cleavages

Differences in society that cause people to disagree on political issues.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of the world through trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

Protectionist economic policies

Government policies designed to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.

Nationalized industries

Industries that are owned and operated by the government.

Privatization

The transfer of ownership of a business, enterprise, agency, public service, or public property from the public sector (government) to the private sector.

Coalition government

A government in which two or more parties cooperate to form a majority.

Vote of no confidence

A vote in which the legislature expresses its lack of confidence in the government.

MP

A member of parliament.

Presidential system

A system of government in which the president is both head of state and head of government.

Divided government

A situation in which the president and the legislature are controlled by different parties.

Separation of powers

The division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

Term limit

A restriction on the number of terms that an elected official can serve.

Impeachment

The process of removing a public official from office for misconduct.

Unicameral legislature

A legislature with one chamber.

Judicial independence

The principle that the judiciary should be independent of the other branches of government.

Welfare state

A system in which the government provides a wide range of social services to its citizens.

Austerity measures

Measures taken by a government to reduce spending and debt.

Political socialization

The process by which people acquire their political beliefs and values.

Neoliberalism

A political philosophy that promotes free markets, privatization, and deregulation.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about the proper role of government in society.

Populism

A political approach that seeks to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.

Formal political participation

Activities by citizens designed to influence government.

Informal political participation

Activities by citizens designed to influence government outside of formal channels.

Runoff election

A second election held to determine a winner when no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first election.

Grassroots movement

A movement that starts at the local level and spreads to the national level.

Sharia Law

Islamic law.