Final Exam - AP Comparative Government

Comparative Politics

The study of similarities and differences between states, how different government systems operate and why political changes occur.

Causation

When a change in one 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 in a country in a year

GDP Per Capita

Gross Domestic Product divided by population

Gini Index

A measure of income inequality within a country

Freedom House

A nongovernmental organization that advocates for democracy and human rights and measures freedom around the world

Corruptions Perceptions Index

A measure of how corrupt a system is believed to be

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.

Sovereignty

A state's ability to act without internal or external interference.

International recognitiion

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

Regime

A type of government, such as liberal democracy or authoitarian

Regime Change

A change in the fundamental rules and system of government.

Coupd'etat (coup)

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

Nationalism

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

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

Illiberal, flawed, or hybrid democracy

A system in which elections may be marred by fraud and the state protects some civil rights and liberties but restricts others

Democratization

The process of transitioning from an authoritarian to a democratic regime

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

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 people ithin its territory

Traditional Legitimacy

The right to rule based on a society's long-standing patterns and practices

Charismatic 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 the central government has sole constitutional sovereignty and power.

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 the regional governments

Institutions

The executive and bureaucracy, the legislature, and the judiciary

Executive

The chief political power in a state, usually a president or prime minister

Legislature

A group of lawmakers that passes laws and represents citizens

Judiciary

The system of courts that interprets the law and applies it to individual cases.

Parliamentary System

A system in which the executive and legislature are fused

Prime Minister

The head of government in a parliamentary system. They are a member of parliament and are selected by the majority party in parliament

Presidential System

A system in which the executive and legislature are elected independently and have separate and independent powers.

Semi-Presidential system

A system that divides executive power between a directly, elected president and a prime minister.

Cabinet

The heads of major department of ministries within the government

Legislative Oversight

The power of the legislature to hold cabinet ocfficials and members of government accountable for their actions and policies

Common Law

A legal system in which previous written opinions serve as precedent for future cases

Code Law

A legal system in which judges follow the law written by the legislature, and previous court decisions do not serve as precedent

Judicial Independence

The ability of judges to decide cases according to the law, free of interference from politically powerful officials or other institutions.

Civil Society

Groups that form outside the government's control

Political Socialization

The process through which an individual learns about politics, and is taught about society's common political values and beliefs

Postmaterialism

A set of values in a society in which most citizens are economically secure enough to move beyond immediate economic concerns to "quality of life" issues like human rights, civil rights, women's rights enviornmentailsm and moral vaues.

Neoliberalism

A philosophy favoring economic policies that support the free market and reduce trade barriers

Communism

An ideology that advocates state ownership of all property, with the government exercising complete control over the economy

Socialism

A political ideology in which economic equality is a core value, with the belief that government ownership of the major means of production is a way to reduce income inequalitywithin the state.

Fascism

A nationalist political ideology in which nationalism and the primacy of the state are the core beliefs. If emphasizes the rights of the majority, oppresses the minority and supports strong authoritarian rule.

Populism

A political ideology based on the ideas that government should put the rights and interests of the common people above the elites.

Formal Political Participation

Voting in elections and on referendums, contacting government officials, joining political groups, working on a campaign, and donating money to a cause or candidate

Informal Political Participation

Protest, civil disobedience, and political violance including terrorism

Social Movement

A large group organized to advocate for political change

Social Cleavage

Division based on ethnicity, race, religion, class or territory.

Political Cleavage

Division based on different ideas about the role of government and policymaking goals

Electoral System

The formal rules and procedures for selecting the executive or members of the legislature

Multimember District System

A method for electing members of a legislature in which two or more representatives are elected from a district

Single-member district system

A system for electing members of the legislature in which the candidate who earns the most votes in a district wins a seat in the legislature

Plurality

The most votes, but not necessarily a majority

First Past the Post (FPTP)

An election rule in an SMD system in which the candidate with a plurality of voters wins a seat in the legislature

Proportional representation system

A system for electing members of the legislature in which seats are awarded according to the percentage of votes a party receives.

Catch-All Party

A party that takes ideologically diverse, usually middle of the road positions to capture as many voters as possible.

Interest Group

An association of individuals or businesses that attempts to influence government

Corporatism

A system in which the state controls interest groups and chooses the ones it wishes to recognize.

Grassroots Movement

Citizens at the local level banding together to advocate for a cause.

Globalization

The increased interconnectedness of people, states, and economies

Rentier State

A state that relies on the export of oil or from the leasing of resources to foreign entities as a significant source of government revenue.

Economic Liberalization Policy

Policy that reduces the role of government in the economy, supports the free market, and reduces trade barriers.

Nongovernmental Organization (NGO)

A non profit group outside government control that usually focuses on social or political issues