APCG terms 1-59 part 1

Quantitative Information

Quantitative Information

Information that can be measured with numbers or facts • Examples: Size, age, temperature, time

Qualitative Information

Describing information, qualities, or characteristics Examples: Opinions, case studies, photographs

causation/correlation

____ is when two events are directly in cause and effect with each other• ___ is when two events are related, but there is no evidence they are the cause or effect.• Example: Correlation = first world countries have higher literacy rates, Causation = Tying your shoes with lessen your chances of tripping

empirical statement

statements that observe facts without passing judgement• Example: 60% of Russians are unsatisfied with the political situation in Russia.

Normative Statement

statements based on opinion rather than factual information• Example: Russians like dogs more than cats

Human Development Index

• a summary measure of citizens development, education, and life expectancy • Example: The UK's HDI value is 0.92 which places it at 13/189 countries

GDP and GDP per capita

the total dollar value of final output produced within a nation's border within a time period• roughly determines the standard of living

GDP growth rate

the annual average rate of change of the gross domestic product at market prices

The Gini Coefficient

A number ranging from 0 to 1 that measures the distribution of income amongst a population. 0 represents perfect equality, and 1 represents all income going to one group and not the other

Freedom House

Founded in 1941, a nongovernmental organization committee to promoting peace and democracy around the world.

Transparency International

• A global movement working in over 100 countries to end the injustice of corruption.

Failed States Index

A report released by the Fund for Peace, addresses and analyses the vulnerability of sovereign states within the Untied Nations.

regime

A mode or system of rule or government

state

compromises a country's key political institutions that are responsible for making, implementing, and adjudicating important policies in that country

nation

Distinct, politically defined territory in which the state and national identity coincide

government

• The governing body of a nation state, or community

democracy

A system in which power is vested either directly in the people or in representatives that they elect, some democracies elect both legislative and executive branches, most elect legislative• Examples: USA, England, and Canada

authoritarianism

• Lack of rule of law, no democratic voting, few personal and civil freedoms• Examples: North Korea, China, and Cuba

democratization

• The transformation process from a nondemocratic regime to a procedural democracy to a substantive democracy, either as the first government in a newly independent country or by replacing an older government • Example: Japan after WW2, with the assistance of the United States, and the American Revolution

power

• Can be wielded by a sole person or multiple people, power can be used to control people or multiple nations under your sphere of influence • Example: United Nations Security Counsel

authority

• The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience• Examples:• Country leaders• Legislators• Schoolteachers• Bosses• Parents

federal system

• A system of government where one territory is controlled by two levels of government• Example: • The United States: state and federal government

unitary system

• A state governed by a single entity in which the central government is supreme authority• Example:• UK government

regime change

• The forcible or coerced replacement of one government with another• Example:• Bolshevik Revolution—replaced the tzars with the Bolshevik soviet • American Revolution— replaced Monarchy with Democracy

revolution

• A forcible overthrow of a government or social order• Examples:• French Revolution

coup d'etat

• A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government• Example:• Rise of Benito Mussolini

political legitimacy

• The right and acceptance of an authority, usually a governing law or regime• ex: American Presidential inauguration

devolution

• The transfer or delegation of power to a lower level• Ex: How Scotland, Whales, and North Ireland share one common government

parliamentary system

• A system of democratic governance of a state where the executive gets its legitimacy from the confidence of the legislature• ex: Canada, Great Britain

presidential system

• A form of government where the head of government (the President) leads an executive branch• ex:The United States

semi-presidential system

• A system of government where a president coexists with a prime minister and a cabinet • ex: China

executive branch

• Conducts diplomacy with other nations and has the power to negotiate and sign treaties• ex: President, Vice President, The Cabinet

head of government

• The highest or second highest official in the executive branch of a sovereign state, a federated state, or a self-governing colony• ex: President

head of state

• The chief public representative of a country, such as a president or monarch, who may also be the head of government• ex: The Queen of England (RIP)

impeachment

• The process by which a legislative body or other legally constituted tribunal initiates charges against a public official for misconduct• ex: Donald Trump on December 18, 2019 and Donald Trump on January 31, 2021

vote of confidence

• A vote showing that a majority continues to support the policy of a leader or governing body• (Hypothetical) A teacher was going to be fired, but was given a vote of confidence by the Principal

legislative branch

• Makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies• Ex: Congress, the national peoples congress, and the legislature of Russia

unicameral

• Having a single legislative chamber• Ex: The Pope, Parliamentary republic, and The Principality of Monaco

bicameral

• Having two legislative chambers• Ex: British Parliament, Senate and the House, Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas

separation of powers

• An act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies• Congress can create laws, the President can veto them, and the Supreme Court can declare them unconstitutional.

fusion of powers

a feature of some parliamentary forms of government where different branches of government are intermingled

judicial branch

interprets the laws that include the Supreme, Circuit , and municipal courts

rule BY law

set of standards, principles, and regulations that govern society

rule OF law

Government provides for equal treatment of citizens and due process

religious law

Ethical and moral codes taught by religious traditions

judicial review

Power held by courts in some countries that allows them to rule on the constitutional merits of laws and other policies

common law

The body of law created by judges and tribunals

civil code law

A codification of private law relating to contracts, property, family, and obligations

civil society

organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests

NGO's (non-government organization)

organizations which are independent of government involvement are known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs or non-government organizations. NGOs are a subgroup of organizations founded by citizens, which include clubs and associations which provide services to its members and others. They are usually nonprofit organizations.

political culture

refers to a society's norms for political activity, a determining factor in what ideologies will dominate a country's political regime, unique to a given country or group, and distinct from political attitudes and ideologies

political socialization

Political Socialization is the process by which people develop their political knowledge, values, and ideology.

political ideology

A set of political values held by individuals regarding the basic goals of government and politics.

individualism

A political and social philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom.• Individual rights are valued and protected.

neoliberalism

The revival of classic liberal values that support low levels of government regulation, taxation, social expenditures, and protection of individual property rights.• A free-market capitalism that favors reduced government actions.

communism

A political theory originated from Karl Marx. Generally, values equality over freedom and rejects the idea that personal freedom will ensure prosperity for the majority. Advocated class war and leads to a society in where all property is publicly owned, and each person works and is paid accordingly.

socialism

Shares the value of equality with communism but is also influenced by the liberal value of freedom. A system of government where social and economic doctrine calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources.

fascism

Permits the continued private ownership of property, at least by elites. Rejects the value of equality and accepts the idea that people and groups exist in degrees of inferiority and superiority. Beliefs include that the state has the right and the responsibility to mold the society and economy and to eliminate obstacles (including people) tat might weaken them.

populism

A political approach that aims to appeal to ordinary people who feel their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.