AP COMP GOV RAHHHH

correlation

a relationship or association between two or more variables that indicates that when one variable changes, another tends to change as well, but it doesn't necessarily mean that one variable causes the other

causation

the cause-and-effect relationship between two variables, where a change in one variable directly influences a change in the other

empirical statement

a factual claim that can be observed and verified through evidence, such as data or statistics

normative statement 

a subjective statement that expresses a value judgment, opinion, or prescription about what should be

quantitative data

data refers to numerical information that can be measured and analyzed using mathematical methods. examples: structured surveys, experiments, or observations.

qualitative data

non-numerical information that focuses on qualities, characteristics, and descriptions. examples: interviews, observations, or open-ended survey questions.

comparative politics 

the study of different political systems, structures, and processes across various countries that involves analyzing similarities and differences in how different governments operate, what policies they implement, and the social and political challenges they face. 

Human Development Index (HDI)

a composite index used to rank countries based on their achievements in three key dimensions of human development: health, education, and standard of living

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

the total monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period, typically used as an indicator of economic health.

GDP per capita

the economic measure of a country's total economic output that accounts for its number of people, calculated by dividing GDP by the population.

Gini index 

a measure of income inequality within a population, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality), indicating how evenly income is distributed.

Freedom House

an organization that assesses and ranks countries based on their levels of political rights and civil liberties, providing an annual report on global freedom.

Fragile State Index

a measure that evaluates the vulnerability of a country to conflict or collapse, using various social, economic, and political indicators.

Failed state

a country with weak institutions, often unable to provide basic services or maintain order, leading to a breakdown in governance and civil society.

corruption

the abuse of power for personal gain, undermining governance and public trust.

Corruption Perceptions Index

a ranking that measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys.

Government

the system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state. It is responsible for making and enforcing laws and policies.

bureaucracy

a system of administration characterized by structured hierarchies and a strict set of rules and procedures.

sovereignty

the authority of a state to govern itself or another state, encompassing both independence and the legitimacy to exercise power.

International recognition

is the acknowledgment by other states or international organizations of a state's sovereignty and legitimacy, allowing it to participate in global affairs.

regime

a government or system of rule, often characterized by particular ideologies and structures that determine how power is exercised and maintained.

regime change

the overthrow or replacement of a government or political system, often through external intervention, revolution, or reform.

Change in government 

that results in a different political system, leadership, or governing policies, which may occur through various means such as popular uprising or foreign intervention.

nation

a large group of people who share common language, culture, ethnicity, or history, often defined within a specific geographical area.

nationalism  

is a political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, advocating for self-governance and the collective identity of its people.

 Liberal democracy 

a form of government that combines representative democracy with the protection of individual rights and freedoms.

authoritarian state

a government that concentrates power in a single authority or a small group, limiting political pluralism and individual freedoms.

totalitarian state illiberal , flawed, or hybrid democracies (all the same) 

is a government system where the state holds total authority and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life, often through oppressive measures.

  rule of law

is the principle that all individuals and institutions are accountable to the law, which must be applied fairly and consistently.

Rule by law

is a concept where the law serves as a tool for the rulers, often allowing them to govern with significant discretion, rather than ensuring fairness and equality.

power 

is the ability or capacity to influence or control the behavior of individuals or the course of events, often held by governments or institutions.

 authority

is the legitimate power or right to make decisions and enforce obedience, typically exercised by governments or leaders over individuals or groups.

Theocracy 

is a system of government in which religious leaders control the government, often basing laws and policies on religious doctrine.

coercion   

is the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats, often associated with governments or authorities using force to maintain control.

 Political liberalization

is the process of increasing individual freedoms and reducing state control, often leading to democratization and greater civil liberties in a society.

Economic liberalization

is the process of reducing government restrictions on the economy, promoting free markets, and encouraging private enterprise, often leading to increased trade and investment.

devolution

is the transfer of powers and responsibilities from central government to regional or local governments, allowing for more localized decision-making and governance.

parliamentary sovereignty  

is the principle that Parliament has the supreme legal authority in the state, meaning it can make or repeal any law without legal restraint.

FPTP (First Past The Post)

is an electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins in a single-member district, often leading to a quick resolution of elections.

Single Member District    

is an electoral district that elects one representative to a legislative body, commonly used in FPTP systems.

 referendum   

is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and can result in the adoption of a new law or policy.

austerity measures

are economic policies implemented to reduce government spending and lower budget deficits, often involving cuts to public services and welfare programs.

federalism 

is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units, allowing for shared governance.

rentier state  

is a state that derives a significant portion of its revenues from the rent of its resources to external clients, rather than from the production of goods and services.

resource curse

is the paradox that countries with abundant natural resources often experience slower economic growth and worse development outcomes than countries with fewer natural resources, due to factors like corruption and mismanagement.

oligarchy     

is a form of government in which power rests with a small group of individuals or families, often distinguished by wealth, education, or political influence.

Cleavage

is a division within society that can influence political behavior and party alignment, often based on factors such as ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status.

political godfathering

refers to the practice where influential political figures or elites use their power and resources to support and promote emerging leaders or candidates in exchange for loyalty or favors.

Foreign direct investment

is an investment made by a company or individual in one country in business interests located in another country, often through the establishment or acquisition of business operations.

Structural Adjustment Program 

is a set of economic reforms and policies imposed by international financial institutions, such as the IMF or World Bank, on countries to stabilize their economies, often requiring austerity measures and structural changes.

cross cutting cleavage

is a social division that overlaps multiple identities within society, leading to a more complex interaction between different groups rather than clear-cut divisions.

Patron-clientelism  

is a system in which political leaders provide various forms of benefits to clients in exchange for political support, creating a network of loyalty and dependency.

NGOs

Non-governmental organizations that operate independently from the government, often focusing on social, environmental, or humanitarian issues.

bicameral legislature

A legislative body with two chambers or houses, typically an upper and lower house, that collaborates to create laws.

Mixed electoral system

A voting system that combines elements of both proportional representation and first-past-the-post systems, allowing for mixed outcomes in elections.

Proportional representation (PR)

An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes received, ensuring that the distribution of seats reflects the voters' preferences.

Pluralism

A political theory that emphasizes the coexistence of multiple diverse groups and interests within a society, advocating for the representation and influence of various factions in governance.

Coup          

A sudden, illegal overthrow of a government, typically performed by a small group or military faction.

Theocracy  

A system of government in which priests or religious leaders control the state, and laws are based on religious doctrine.

Sanction

A penalty or coercive measure imposed by one country on another to influence its behavior, often used in the context of international relations.

MMD (multimember district)

An electoral district that elects multiple representatives, allowing for a proportional representation of parties in the legislative body.

Shiite Islam

A branch of Islam that believes in the leadership of Ali and his descendants, emphasizing the role of the Imams as spiritual and political leaders.

cabinet head

The official who leads a specific government department and advises the head of government, often responsible for implementing policies and managing operations within their sector.

Civil society 

organizations that operate independently from the government, representing various interests in society.

mandate

An official order or authorization to act, often given to elected representatives to carry out specific policies.

political cleavages

divisions within society that influence political behavior and party alignment, often based on factors such as class, ethnicity, religion, or ideology.

Globalization

the process by which businesses, cultures, and economies become integrated and interconnected on a global scale.

protectionist economic policies

government measures aimed at enhancing domestic industries by restricting foreign competition, often through tariffs and quotas.

 nationalized industries

industries owned and operated by the government, as opposed to private enterprises, aimed at controlling key sectors of the economy.

Privatization

the transfer of ownership of state-owned enterprises to private individuals or organizations, aimed at increasing efficiency and profitability.

coalition government

a government formed by multiple political parties that collaborate to achieve a majority, often seen in parliamentary systems.

vote of no confidence

a parliamentary procedure that allows members to remove a government from power by voting against it, typically demonstrating lack of support or trust.

MP

a Member of Parliament, representing a specific electoral district in the legislative body.

presidential system

a governance structure where the president is the head of state and government, elected separately from the legislative branch, allowing for a clearer separation of powers.

divided government

a situation in which one political party controls the presidency while another party controls one or both houses of the legislature, often leading to political gridlock.

separation of powers

a governance model that divides responsibilities among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

term limit

a legal restriction that limits the number of terms an elected official can serve in a particular office, promoting turnover and preventing the entrenchment of power.

impeachment

the constitutional process through which a government official is charged with misconduct or wrongdoing, potentially leading to removal from office.

unicameral legislature

a legislative body with a single chamber, which contrasts with a bicameral system that has two chambers.

judicial independence

the principle that the judiciary should remain independent from the other branches of government, ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice.

welfare state

A government system that provides social services and financial support to ensure a basic standard of living for its citizens.

austerity measures 

policies aimed at reducing government deficits through spending cuts and increased taxes, often impacting social services and public welfare.

political socialization 

the process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and attitudes, often influenced by family, education, media, and social environments.

neoliberalism

an economic and political approach that emphasizes free markets, deregulation, and reducing government spending, often prioritizing individual entrepreneurship and limited state intervention in the economy.

political ideology

a set of beliefs about the role of government, justice, and individual rights that guides political behavior and policy choices.

populism

a political approach that contrasts the interests of ordinary people with the elite establishment. It often emphasizes popular sovereignty and appeals to marginalized groups.

formal political participation

the ways in which citizens engage in the political process, including voting, campaigning, and activism.

informal political participation

refers to participation in political activities that occur outside of formal systems, such as protests, social movements, and grassroots organizing.

runoff election 

a second election held to determine a winner when no candidate achieves the required majority in the first election.

grassroots movement

a type of political movement driven by the community at a local level, often aiming for social change and policy reform.

Sharia Law

a system of Islamic law governing personal and communal aspects of life in accordance with the Quran and Hadith.