AP Comp. Gov. Unit 1 Textbook Vocab Notes

Comparative politics

study of similarities and differences between states, how diff. gov. systems operate, why political changes occur

Comparative method

examining the same phenomenon in several cases and reaching conclusions

Causation

when a change in one variables precipitates a change in another variable

Correlation

apparent connection between variables

Empirical statement

assertion of fact that can be proven

Normative statement

value judgement usually in the form of a should or ought statement

Quantitative data

observations made using statistical techniques

Qualitative data

text based descriptions, explanations of how gov. and political institutions function

Human Development Index

aggregate measure of life expectancy, education, and per capita income

Gross domestic product

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

GDP per capita

gross domestic product divided by population

GDP growth rate

% of GDP growth over a period of time

Gini Index

measure income inequality

Freedom House

measures freedom

Democratic consolidation

process by which a regime has developed stable democratic institution and unlikely to revert to authoritarianism

Corruption

abuse of official power for personal gain

Corruption Perceptions Index

measures how corrupt a system is believed to be according to experts and business leaders

Strong state

state that is capable of providing necessary government services to its citizens

Failed state

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

Fragile States Index

highlights countries of imminent concern

State

consists of political institutions with international recognition that govern a population in a defined territory

Government

make legally binding decisions for the state (executive, legislature, judiciary)

Bureaucracy

set of appointed officials and government workers who carry out policies

Sovereignty

state’s ability to act without internal or external interference

International Recognition

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

Regimes

type of government (liberal democracy or authoritarian)

Regime change

change in the fundamental rules and system of government

coup d’etat

overthrow of government by a small # of people

Revolution

overthrow of a regime based on widespread popular support

Change in government

a change in leaders without systematic changes in the system of government

Nation

refers to a group of people who share a sense of belonging and who often have a commonality

Nationalism

occurs when a group has a strong sense of identity and the desire to create its own destiny