CoGo Vocab

Key vocab words for AP Comparative Government

State

State

Political institutions with a monopoly of force over a territory

Nation

A psychological sense of identity based on shared ethnicity, language, history, or culture

Nation-state

State that rules over a single nation; boundaries of a state coincide with geographical area occupied by a nation

Institutions

Formal policymakers within the government, including the executive, legislature, judiciary and bureaucracy

Regime

A government in which the system has not changed even though there have been different leaders

Hybrid regime

A government with both authoritarian and democratic elements

Legitimacy

The people's belief that the government has the right to rule

Rational/legal legitimacy

Based on a fair and understandable system of laws that are followed and apply to everyone

Traditional legitimacy

Because it has always been that way

Charismatic legitimacy

Based on a ruler's engaging personality

Globalization

Increasing interconnectedness of the world

Sovereignty

The ability of a government to rule without internal or external influence

HDI

Human Development Index measures life expectancy, birth and death rates, education, quality of life

GDP

Gross Domestic Product- the total market value of all final goods and services produced annually in an economy

GDP per capita

GDP divided by the population

Gini Index

Standard economic measure of income inequality; >1 is some level of inequality, 1 is total inequality

Developed countries

High GDP per capita and HDI rankings; service-based economies

Developing countries

Emerging economies; based on production

Underdeveloped countries

Low GDP per capita and HDI rankings; agricultural

Least developed countries

Poorest of the poor

Political economy

The interaction between the state and the economy in a country; how politics influences the economy and how organization/performance of the economy influences the political process

Economic liberalization

The move to a free market by reducing tariffs, trade barriers, and government control over the economy

Market economies

Set wages, production, and prices based on supply and demand with less government interference

Transparency

The ability of citizens to see what the government is doing

Command economies

The government makes decisions regarding wages, prices, and production, and private property is limited

Communism

System of government based on the writings of Karl Marx in which the stated goal is economic equality

Welfare state

The government provides support to citizens, such as unemployment benefits and health care

Rentier states

Derive significant portion of revenues from rent

Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)

Established by World Bank with intent to alter and reform the economic structures of highly indebted third world countries for receiving international loans

Dependency theory

The idea that colonial rule left a legacy of political and economic dependence making it difficult for former colonies to improve their economies and democratize

Post materialism

Belief in importance of policy goals beyond one's immediate self-interest

Democratization

The transition from an authoritarian state to an illiberal democracy to a liberal democracy

Authoritarian state

A government where elections are not free and fair and civil rights and liberties are lacking

Illiberal/procedural democracy

A government with elections that are not completely free and fair (lacking real competition) or lacking some civil rights and liberties

Liberal/substantive democracy

A government with free and fair elections and civil rights and liberties

Unitary system

All power is held by the central government and state power is not protected

Federal system

Power is shared between the national and state government and some state power is protected

Devolution

The transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by central government to local or regional administration

Bicameral legislature

2 houses

Unicameral legislature

1 house

First past the post/single member district

Awards 1 seat to candidate with the most (NOT MAJORITY OF) votes in a district (winner-take-all)

Proportional representation

Electoral system where voters cast their ballots for a party rather than a candidate & the percent of votes a party receives determines the number of seats the party gains in the legislature

Referendum

A measure sent by the legislature to the citizens for approval

Common law

A system where court cases decided by the highest court serve as precedent for future decisions and have the force of law

Code law

System based on laws written by the legislature

Judicial review

Ability of Supreme Court to overturn unconstitutional law or executive action

Theocracy

State led by religious rulers

Revolution

Overthrow of the government based on broad support

Coup

A change in the leader brought about by a small group, often a military leader

Nationalism

Belief that a group of people has its own unique destiny, often including a desire for a separate state

Political ideology

Individual's belief system about the role of government

Political socialization

The process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values

Political culture

Shared beliefs of a group of people

Political right

Favors status quo (conservatives)

Political left

Favors change, social programs

Reactionaries

Extremists who want to go back to the past

Liberalism

Political ideology that favors economic freedom, civil rights and liberties

Cooptation

When the government buys off its critics

Corporatism

Large businesses and labor unions are brought into policymaking process (less pluralism since small actors are left out)

Pluralism

Many groups contribute to policymaking

Political recruitment

The process for selecting current and potential leaders, including formal and informal power structures

Civil society

Voluntary civic and social organizations with shared values, beliefs, and issues; not formal part of the government but often work with the government or seek to influence governmental decision-making

Grassroots movements

Ordinary citizens push for reform

Political cleavage

A division over a policy issue

Cross-cutting cleavage

A division that include people with differences, strengthening society

Coinciding/cumulative/reinforcing cleavage

Exacerbating feeling of differences, weakening society

Causation

Change in one variable precipitates change in another variable

Correlation

Apparent connection between variables

Empirical statement

Verifiable fact

Normative statement

Judgement about what should be

Civil rights

Protections granted by the government to prevent discrimination against groups, like ethnic or religious minorities and women (right to be free from discrimination)

Civil liberties

Protection for individuals from government infringement