comp gov prep

Empirical data

Based on facts.

Normative data

Based on opinions or values.

Quantitative

Numerical data that can be measured and analyzed with statistics

Qualitative

Descriptive data based on observations, interviews, or text analysis.

Correlation

When two variables are related but one does not necessarily cause the other.

Causation

When one variable directly causes a change in another.

Rule of Law

Laws apply equally to everyone, making the government subject to the lawa . —> democracy; key feature is an independent judiciary

Rule By Law

The government uses laws as a tool to control society, making them above the law. —> authoritarian; a key feature is no real checks on executive power.

Democracy

A system where people have power through participation, liberalism, and free and fair competiton.

Authoritarian

A system where power is concentrated in one leader or a small group, with limited political freedom

Types of non-democratic rule

• Personal & Monarchial rule

• One-party rule

• Theocracy

• Military rule

• Hybrid regimes

Human Development Index (HDI)

Measures a country's development based on life expectancy, education, and income.

Gini Index

Measures income inequality (0 = perfect equality, 100 = extreme inequality).

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

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

Freedom House Score

Measures political rights and civil liberties, ranking countries as Free, Partly Free, or Not Free.

Fragile States Index

Assesses how stable or at risk a country is based on factors like conflict, governance, and economy.

Transparency International

Ranks countries on corruption levels using the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

Head of State

The symbolic/ceremonial leader of a country who represents national unity and diplomacy.

Head of Government

The political leader responsible for running the government and making policy decisions.

Executive branch

Enforces laws and runs the government (President, Prime Minister).

Legislative branch

Makes laws (Parliament, Congress).

Judicial branch

Interprets laws and ensures adherence of behavior to the constitution for justice (Courts, Judges).

Sovereignty

A country's full control over its own laws, government, and decisions, without outside interference or internal actors.

Regime

The rules and institutions that structure a government

State

Has a monopoly over the legitimate use of force within its territory.

Legitimacy

The right to rule is accepted by the people.

Rational-legal legitimacy

Authority based on laws and institutions, not individuals

Charismatic legitimacy

Authority based on a leader’s personal appeal

Traditional legitimacy

Authority based on customs, history, or monarchy

Federal state

Constitutionally shared power between central and regional governments.

Unitary state

The central government holds most power, regional governments are constitutionallly weaker.

Devolution

The transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by central government to local or regional administration.

Patrimonialism

Form of political organization in which authority is based primarily on the personal power exercised by a ruler.

• Example: Putin and his oligarhcs

Clientilesim

Bribe a person with influence to spread their values —> targeted at single individuals

Co-optation

• Definition: A broader term that means bringing individuals or groups into the political system by giving them positions, resources, or privileges.

• Goal: Weaken opposition by offering incentives to potential critics.

• Example: In Russia, Putin co-opts business elites by allowing them to keep wealth as long as they remain politically loyal

Political stability

a state of tranquility, organization, and sustained continuity within the political domain marked by consistent institutions and policies, as well as a commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Capacity

Refers to the ability to make decisions… often seen as the foundation for autonomy.

Autonomy

The freedom or right to make decisions independently.

Fragile State

States have characteristics that substantially impair their economic and social performance.

Power

The ability of a state to implement policies and maintain order effectively.

Asymmetric federalism

A system of governance where power is distributed

unequally between different levels of government,

often leading to varying degrees of autonomy

among regions.

Parliamentary system

A system of government featuring an executive head of government (prime minister) elected from the legislature who is the leader of the largest political party; he and his cabinet are charged with formulating and executing policy.

Presidential system

A system of government where the president is the

head of state and government, separate from the

legislative branch. This system often features a

fixed term for the president and a distinct

separation of powers.

Semi-presidential system

A system of government that includes a prime minister approved by the legislature and a directly elected president; they share executive power.

Democratic consolidation

The process through which a new democracy

matures, becoming more stable and less likely to

revert to authoritarianism. It involves the

establishment of strong institutions, rule of law, and

the acceptance of democratic norms.

Populisim

A political approach that seeks to represent the

interests and concerns of the common people,

often against the elite or establishment.

Mexico’s major political parties

PRI, PAN, PRD, PVEM, MORENA

Lower House

Mexico: Chamber of Deputies

UK: House of Commons

Russia: State Duma

Nigeria: House of Representatives

Upper House

Mexico: Senate

UK: House of Lords

Russia: Federation Council

Nigeria: Senate

Unicameral legislatures

A single chamber legislature: China and Iran

Single-member-district elections (SMD/FPTP)

System where there is only one representative for each constituency and in each district the candidate with the greatest number of votes wins the seat

Multi-member district elections (MMD) —> Proportional representation (PR)

In multi-member districts, more than one legislative seat is contested in each electoral district. Voters vote for a list of party candidates instead of for a single representative, and the percentage of votes a party receives determines how many of the seats they win in the legislature.

Corporatism

A system where organizations are made to lock in the loyalty of peasants and the working/mid-class.

• Goal: Absorb potential opposition by making groups dependent on the state.

• Example: In Mexico under the PRI, labor unions and business groups were given privileges in exchange for loyalty to the government

Pluralism

The power is dispersed among various economic and ideological pressure groups.

Coercion

The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.

Nationality

Someones legal citizenship

Ethnicity

Someone cultural traits

Social movements

Large groups of people working together to push for political or social change, often through protests, advocacy, or activism.

Single-peak associations

When one major group officially represents workers, businesses, or other societal interests— dominating representation in a specific sector.

Economic liberalization

The process of reducing state intervention in the economy, promoting free markets, and encouraging private enterprise.

Neoliberal Economic Reform

A set of policies aimed at enhancing economic growth through deregulation, privatization, and reducing government spending.

• Example: Thatcher Revolution

Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI)

An economic strategy where a country reduces reliance on foreign imports by promoting domestic industries through tariffs, subsidies, and state intervention.

Austerity measures

A financial crisis reform that aims to reduce budget deficits by raising taxes while cutting government spending.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

When a company or person from one country invests in a business or assets in another country.

Economic sanctions

Restrictions imposed onto another country to punish or pressure it for actions like human rights violations, military aggression, or political repression, aiming to force change without military action; often through trade limits, asset freezes, or travel bans.

Nationalization

Refers to the process where the government takes ownership of private assets or

industries.

Privatization

The transfer of ownership from the public sector to private individuals or organizations.