AP Gov

Governing regime

A set of organizations + rules that has authority to exercise the widest scope of power over a defined area, including the final say on use of force.

Power

The ability to impose your will on others to secure desired outcomes.

Authority

Permission conferred by the laws of a regime to exercise power (usually via a constitution). Codes of law, police, regulations = examples.

Legitimacy

The widespread belief that the government has the right to exercise its power — measured in perceptions of moral appropriateness and justice.

Broad legitimacy

Not unanimous agreement, but a broad sentiment that the government is rightfully exercising power. Most effective governments have clear authority + broad legitimacy.

Monopoly on violence

Weber: governments claim the right to use violence or approve its use by others. They have the final say on when force is permissible.

Bully pulpit

The president's power to shape public opinion and influence legislators through speeches and the prestige of the office. (Teddy Roosevelt coined it.)

Sin tax

Tax on things like alcohol, cigarettes, or sugary drinks to discourage their use. Shows how taxation shapes behavior, not just raises revenue.

Why clear authority matters

defined lines of authority reduce fear of arbitrary government action → more public support, better economy, less need for huge police forces.

Signs of losing Legitimacy

Sustained protest, Low trust (polling), calls to scrap the constitution

Weber's 3 types of legitimacy

Traditional, Charismatic, Rational-Legal

Traditional legitimacy

Regime embraces traditional cultural myths and accepted folkways.
Ex: UAE — monarchy/emir system aligns with tribal traditions.

Charismatic Legitimacy

Forceful leader whose personal qualities captivate people.
Ex: Khomeini — seen as uncorrupted man of God, toppled the Shah of Iran.

Rational-Legal Legitimacy

Clarity and even-handedness of laws and bureaucracy.
Ex: Bismarck's unified Germany — efficient bureaucracy, uniform law system.

Manufactured consent

regime shapes public support through state-controlled education, media, and propaganda. Ex: Belarus under Lukashenko — state controls media, promotes nationalism, keeps getting reelected.

State of emergency

Authorized suspension of normal laws allowing broader government action. Can be legitimate if time-limited and publicly supported.

Risk of long-term use

Extended emergency powers weaken legitimacy. Sweeping + vague powers → police state. Ex: Marcos (Philippines) used emergency powers to become "constitutional dictator," support eroded by 1986.

Police state

Regime with long-lasting, sweeping, vaguely-defined authority enforced by police/military. Unrestrained power, rights violations.

Natural rights

Rights derived from natural law, considered the moral standard for judging whether a regime is legitimate. More recently called "fundamental human rights."

Civil disobedience

Nonviolent refusal to comply with authorized government power as a form of protest. Ex: Gandhi vs. British rule; American Civil Rights Movement.

When revolutions happen

When broad illegitimacy builds — sustained protests or violent regime change. Small movements that undermine broad legitimacy of the opposing regime can grow large enough to topple it.

How govts undermine themselves

Overuse of emergency powers, corruption, inability to provide security, shadow governments taking hold (Ex: Taliban in Afghanistan, cartels in Mexico).

Fragile state

Still asserts authority but seriously struggles to maintain law, order, and stability. At risk of harboring rival organizations.

Failed state

Loses all capacity to provide order. Either collapses entirely OR a shadow government displaces it. Ex: Afghanistan

Shadow government

Unauthorized org that effectively displaces and performs the functions of the official government. Can become a new regime through violent takeover.

Hard authoritarianism

Rules without consulting citizens. Typically violates human rights. Relies heavily on military + police. Often manufactures consent.

Ex: North Korea — Kim family dynasty, Juche ideology, no real elections, divine mythology, total media control.

Soft authoritarianism

Claims right to rule without public approval but still seeks input and advances popular desires. May have limited elected bodies (hybrid).

Ex: Morocco — king holds military + veto power, but parliament is freely elected across 31 parties. Legitimacy via Islamic lineage.

Why large militaries?

Authoritarian regimes use physical force to compel obedience. Risk: the military can come to exert unlawful control over the regime itself (Ex: Thailand).

North Korea elections

Voters have no real choice — all candidates must belong to the Democratic Front for Reunification. Legislature (Supreme People's Assembly) has no real power.

Core idea of representative governments

Only leaders chosen by the people through elections deserve the right to wield power. Most authorized power must be accountable to citizens.

Unitary system

All major elected officials are accountable to the entire citizenry. One central government makes laws for the whole country.

Pros: Clear authority, national cohesion, efficient.

Cons: Less accommodation for regional differences.

Federal system

National + regional (state/province) governments each have their own powers.

Pros: Accommodates regional differences, reduces abuse of power, moderate policy.

Cons: Patchwork of laws, unclear authority split, inefficiency.

How parliamentary systems work

Party with majority in parliament selects executive branch (cabinet of ministers). Designed for quick legislative action. If no party has majority → coalition government.

Coalition government

Alliance of parties that each lack majority but combine to reach one. Small parties can demand cabinet positions → gain influence out of proportion with their vote share.

Why small parties gain influence

In a divided parliament, large parties must court small ones to form a majority. Small parties can demand ministerial positions as a condition of their support.

Ferdinand Marcos

"Constitutional dictator" — used Philippines' own constitution and emergency powers to seize unlimited rule. Support collapsed by 1986 (People Power Revolution).

Ruhollah Khomeini

Charismatic legitimacy. Senior Shi'a cleric seen as uncorrupted man of God. Mobilized Iranians to overthrow the Shah and establish Iran's current theocracy.

Otto von Bismarck

Rational-legal legitimacy. Unified Germany with an efficient bureaucracy and uniform legal system — earned legitimacy through clear, even-handed governance.

Max Weber

Political theorist. Identified the 3 types of legitimacy and coined "monopoly on the legitimate use of force." Foundation of most of this unit.