AP Comp Gov unit 1

Capitalism

An economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit.

Constitution

A set of fundamental principles and laws that establish the structure, powers, and limits of government.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is held by the people, either directly or through free and fair elections.

Democratization

The process by which a country moves from an authoritarian system to a democratic one.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of countries through economic, political, cultural, and technological exchanges.

Governance

The process of decision-making and implementation of policies, often involving state and non-state actors.

Government

The formal institutions and officials that make and enforce public policy.

Industrialized Democracies

Wealthy, developed countries with advanced economies and democratic political systems.

Nation

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

Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs)

Countries transitioning from developing to industrialized economies with rapid economic growth.

Paradigm

A general model or framework used to understand political systems or behavior.

Political Culture

The shared attitudes, beliefs, and values about politics and government held by a population.

Political Participation

Actions by citizens intended to influence political outcomes, such as voting or protesting.

Political System

The set of institutions and processes through which a country governs itself.

Power

The ability of a person or institution to influence political behavior or outcomes.

Public Policy

Government decisions and actions designed to address public issues.

Regime

The set of rules and norms that determine how a government is organized and how power is exercised.

State

A political entity with a defined territory, permanent population, sovereign government, and recognition by others.

Systems Theory

A model viewing government as a system that converts inputs (demands, support) into outputs (policies).

Totalitarianism

A system in which the state seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.

Legitimacy

The belief that a government has the right to rule.

Rule of Law

The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law.

Bureaucracy

A hierarchical organization of appointed officials responsible for implementing laws and policies.

Cabinet / Collective Responsibility

A principle in parliamentary systems where cabinet members must publicly support government decisions.

Members of Parliament (MPs)

Elected representatives who serve in a parliamentary legislature.

Vote of Confidence

A legislative vote determining whether the executive retains the support of the legislature.

Iron Triangle

A mutually beneficial relationship among bureaucracies, legislative committees, and interest groups.

Civic Culture

A political culture where citizens actively participate and trust democratic institutions.

Catch-All Parties

Political parties that appeal to a broad range of voters rather than a specific ideology.

Civil Society

Organizations and groups independent of the state that represent citizens’ interests.

Cleavage

A deep and lasting division within society based on factors like ethnicity, religion, or class.

Coalition

An alliance of political parties formed to achieve a majority or govern together

Realignment

A significant shift in voter support that changes party dominance.

Laissez-Faire

An economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in the market.

Liberal

Supportive of individual rights, civil liberties, and often government involvement in the economy.

Nationalization

The transfer of private industries or assets to government ownership.

Privatized

Transferred from government ownership to private ownership.

Postindustrial Society

A society focused on services, information, and technology rather than manufacturing.

Postmaterialist

Values emphasizing quality of life, environmentalism, and self-expression over economic security.

Electoral System

The rules and procedures used to elect government officials.

Proportional Representation (PR)

An electoral system where parties gain legislative seats in proportion to votes received.

Single-Member District

An electoral district that elects one representative, typically by plurality.

Suffrage

The right to vote.

Bolsheviks

A revolutionary Marxist faction led by Vladimir Lenin that seized power in the Russian Revolution and established a communist state.

bourgeoisie

The middle/upper class that owns the means of production; opposed by Marxists.

command economy

An economy where the government controls production, prices, and distribution.

communism

A system where all property is publicly owned and class distinctions are eliminated.

cult of personality

When a leader uses propaganda to create an idealized, heroic image (ex: Joseph Stalin).

Cultural Revolution

A campaign led by Mao Zedong to reinforce communism by removing capitalist and traditional elements (referenced in Russia context as comparison).

de-Stalinization

Effort by Nikita Khrushchev to reduce Stalin’s influence and relax repression.

glasnost

“Openness”; policy allowing more freedom of speech and transparency under Mikhail Gorbachev.

nomenklatura

Elite group of Communist Party officials who held key government positions.

perestroika

Restructuring”; economic reforms to introduce limited market elements under Gorbachev.

proletariat

The working class who sell their labor (in Marxist theory).

Politburo

The top policymaking body of the Communist Party.

Secretariat

Communist Party body responsible for administrative tasks and implementing policy.

shock therapy

Rapid transition from a command economy to a market economy in the 1990s.

socialism

A system where the government plays a major role in regulating the economy and redistributing wealth.

totalitarianism

A system where the state has total control over political, social, and economic life.

Warsaw Pact

A Cold War military alliance of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries.

Five-year plan

Government plan setting economic production goals for a 5-year period.

Oligarchs

Wealthy business elites who gained power after privatization in post-Soviet Russia.

Duma

The lower house of Russia’s legislature.

Cadre (Ganbu)

Trained officials of the Chinese Communist Party who manage government and party activities.

Central Committee

Large leadership body of the CCP that selects top leaders.

Central Military Commission (CMC)

Controls China’s military (PLA).

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

The single ruling political party in China.

Confucianism

A philosophy emphasizing hierarchy, order, and respect for authority.

Cultural Revolution

Radical campaign (1966–1976) to enforce communist ideology and eliminate opposition.

democratic centralism

System where leaders make decisions centrally, and lower levels must follow.

Falun Gong

Spiritual movement banned by the Chinese government.

Great Leap Forward

Mao’s failed economic plan to rapidly industrialize China, causing famine.

Hundred Flowers Campaign

Movement encouraging criticism of the CCP, later reversed into repression.

Kuomintang (KMT)/Nationalist Party

Rival political party defeated by communists in 1949.

Long March

Strategic retreat that helped solidify Mao’s leadership.

mass line

CCP policy of learning from the people, then guiding them.

May Fourth Movement

Early 20th-century nationalist and anti-imperialist protest movement.

nomenklatura

System of party-controlled appointments to key positions.

People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

China’s military, controlled by the CCP.

Politburo

Elite decision-making group within the CCP.

Red Guard

Youth groups who enforced Mao’s Cultural Revolution.

special economic zone (SEZ)

Areas with free-market policies to attract foreign investment.

Tiananmen Square (event)

1989 protest movement for democracy that was violently suppressed.

Assembly of Experts

Body that selects and can remove the Supreme Leader.

bazaaris

Merchant class that has political influence in Iran.

bonyads

State-controlled charitable foundations that dominate parts of the economy.

Expediency Council

Resolves conflicts between the Majlis and Guardian Council.

Green Movement/Revolution

2009 protest movement against election results.

Guardian Council

Body that vets candidates and reviews laws for Islamic compatibility.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)

Elite military force that protects the regime.

Islamic Cultural Revolution

Effort to align education and culture with Islamic values after 1979.

Majlis

Iran’s legislature (parliament).

Pahlavi

Dynasty that ruled Iran before the 1979 revolution.

rentier state

A country that relies heavily on revenue from natural resources (like oil).

sanctions

Economic penalties imposed by other countries.

SAVAK

Secret police under the Shah, known for repression.

shah

Title for Iran’s monarch before 1979.

shari’a (sharia law)

Islamic law derived from religious texts.

Shi’ite

Branch of Islam dominant in Iran, believing leaders should descend from Ali.

subsidy

Government financial support to lower costs for citizens.