Intro Unit - AP Comparative Politics & Government

The study of how political systems, governments, and political behavior compare across countries.

Comparative Politics

The formal institutions and processes through which a country makes and enforces collective decisions.

Politics

A group of people living within defined borders, governed by institutions, and possessing sovereignty.

State

The fundamental rules and norms determining how political power is obtained and exercised.

Regime

The group of people and institutions currently controlling and operating the state.

Government

A group of people sharing a common identity, history, culture, language, or ancestry.

Nation

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference.

Sovereignty

The ability of a region or group to govern itself in certain areas while remaining part of a larger state.

Autonomy

An area where a powerful country has significant political, economic, or military influence over other countries.

Sphere of Influence

A political system in which power is constitutionally divided between national and regional governments.

Federal System

A political system in which most governmental power is concentrated in the national government.

Unitary System

A country allows regional governments to make their own laws while sharing power with the national government. Which system is this?

Federal System

A country gives nearly all political authority to its central government. Which system is this?

Unitary System

Which system allows more regional independence but can create inconsistent policies between regions?

Federal System

Which system promotes national consistency but may overlook regional differences?

Unitary System

Which system is more likely to accommodate regional ethnic, linguistic, or cultural differences?

Federal System

Which system generally allows the central government to implement uniform national policies more easily?

Unitary System

An electoral system in which the candidate receiving the most votes in a district wins, even without a majority.

Single-Member District Plurality (SMD)

An electoral system requiring a candidate to receive more than 50% of the votes to win.

Majority Runoff

An electoral system in which parties receive legislative seats proportional to their percentage of votes.

Proportional Representation (PR)

An electoral system in which voters select a political party and seats are distributed according to the party's share of votes.

Party List System

A country uses districts where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they receive less than 50%. Which system is this?

Single-Member District Plurality (SMD)

A country requires candidates to receive more than 50% of the vote, holding a second election if necessary. Which system is this?

Majority Runoff

A country gives parties legislative seats based on their percentage of the national vote. Which system is this?

Proportional Representation (PR)

Which electoral system tends to produce two dominant political parties?

Single-Member District Plurality (SMD)

Which electoral system tends to encourage multiple political parties and representation of smaller parties?

Proportional Representation (PR)

Which electoral system ensures the winning candidate has majority support?

Majority Runoff

Which electoral system can produce a legislature that does not accurately reflect the percentage of votes received by each party?

Single-Member District Plurality (SMD)

Which electoral system generally produces a legislature that more closely reflects the popular vote?

Proportional Representation (PR)

The process through which individuals develop their political beliefs, values, and attitudes.

Political Socialization

The shared political beliefs, values, attitudes, and expectations of a society.

Political Culture

The organizations and associations operating independently from the government that allow citizens to participate in public life.

Civil Society

A citizen who actively participates in political life through voting, campaigning, protesting, or contacting officials.

Active Citizen

A citizen who has little political awareness or involvement and focuses primarily on personal or local concerns.

Parochial Citizen

A citizen who recognizes government authority and understands political institutions but rarely participates actively.

Subject Citizen

A person votes, campaigns, protests, and regularly contacts elected officials. What type of citizen are they?

Active Citizen

A person knows little about national politics and focuses mainly on their immediate community. What type of citizen are they?

Parochial Citizen

A person understands the government and follows its decisions but rarely participates. What type of citizen are they?

Subject Citizen

An orientation toward authority that emphasizes political equality and the belief that citizens should have a voice in government.

Egalitarian

An orientation toward authority in which citizens accept government decisions and authority without significant participation.

Subject

An orientation toward authority in which individuals have little awareness of or interest in the larger political system.

Parochial

An orientation in which citizens feel disconnected, alienated, or excluded from the political system.

Estranged

Citizens believe everyone should have equal political rights and influence over government. What view of authority is this?

Egalitarian

Citizens accept government authority and follow political decisions without much involvement. What view of authority is this?

Subject

Citizens have little awareness of or interest in the political system. What view of authority is this?

Parochial

Citizens feel alienated, disconnected, and excluded from political institutions. What view of authority is this?

Estranged

A comprehensive set of beliefs about the role of government, society, the economy, and individual rights.

Ideology

An ideology emphasizing class struggle, collective ownership, and the eventual creation of a classless society.

Marxism

An ideology combining Marxist economic ideas with a revolutionary communist party and centralized political control.

Marxism-Leninism

An economic and political ideology supporting greater public or collective ownership and a more equal distribution of wealth.

Socialism

An ideology emphasizing individual rights, personal freedom, limited government, and political equality.

Liberalism

An ideology emphasizing individual liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government intervention in the economy.

Classical Liberalism

A modern form of liberalism supporting individual rights and government action to address inequality and provide social services.

Modern Liberalism

An ideology emphasizing tradition, social stability, established institutions, and gradual rather than radical change.

Conservatism

A form of conservatism emphasizing free markets, private property, traditional values, and limited government.

Traditional Conservatism

A form of conservatism emphasizing limited economic regulation, low taxes, and free-market policies.

Economic Conservatism

A country emphasizes individual freedom, private property, and limited government involvement in markets. Which ideology is this?

Classical Liberalism

A country supports individual rights while using government programs to reduce economic inequality. Which ideology is this?

Modern Liberalism

A country emphasizes tradition, social order, and preserving established institutions. Which ideology is this?

Conservatism

A government promotes collective ownership, economic equality, and reduced class differences. Which ideology is this?

Socialism

A political movement seeks a classless society and the eventual elimination of private ownership of the means of production. Which ideology is this?

Marxism

A communist government follows Marxist ideas while using a centralized revolutionary party to control the state. Which ideology is this?

Marxism-Leninism

An economic system in which individuals and businesses own most property and make economic decisions through markets.

Free-Market Economy

An economic system combining private ownership and market activity with government regulation and public services.

Mixed Economy

An economic system in which the government controls major economic decisions, production, and resource allocation.

Command Economy

An economic system in which the government owns or controls much of the economy to pursue greater equality.

Socialist Economy

The transfer of businesses or industries from government ownership to private ownership.

Privatization

Ownership of businesses or industries by the government rather than private individuals.

Publicly Owned

The process of transferring privately owned businesses or industries into government ownership.

Nationalization

An industry or business owned and operated by the government.

State-Run

A system in which the government provides social services and financial assistance to support citizens' well-being.

Welfare State

A government transfers a government-owned airline to private investors. What economic process is this?

Privatization

A government takes control of a privately owned oil company. What economic process is this?

Nationalization

A country has privately owned businesses but also government regulations, public services, and social programs. What type of economy is this?

Mixed Economy

A government controls production, prices, and the allocation of resources throughout the economy. What type of economy is this?

Command Economy

The shift from agricultural economies toward manufacturing and industrial production.

Industrialization

The process through which countries become increasingly connected through trade, communication, investment, and cultural exchange.

Globalization

The growing importance of private markets, international trade, and economic integration in the global economy.

Economic Liberalization

Established democracies with stable political institutions, competitive elections, and developed economies.

Advanced Democracies

Countries that have transitioned away from communist rule, often experiencing economic and political changes.

Former Communist States

Countries currently governed by communist parties, often with significant state control over politics and the economy.

Current Communist States

Countries with lower levels of economic development that may experience poverty and limited industrialization.

Developing Countries

Countries transitioning from agricultural economies toward manufacturing and industrial production.

Newly Industrializing Countries (NICs)

A country has developed institutions, stable competitive elections, and a highly developed economy. Which category fits?

Advanced Democracies

A country has transitioned away from communist rule and is developing new political and economic institutions. Which category fits?

Former Communist States

A country is ruled by a communist party that maintains significant political control. Which category fits?

Current Communist States

A country has a primarily agricultural economy, widespread poverty, and limited industrial development. Which category fits?

Developing Countries

A country is rapidly expanding its manufacturing sector and transitioning toward an industrial economy. Which category fits?

Newly Industrializing Countries (NICs)

The branch of government responsible for implementing laws and directing government policy.

Executive

The official who represents a country and performs ceremonial or symbolic duties, as well as potentially constitutional duties.

Head of State

The official responsible for directing the government and overseeing its daily operations and policies.

Head of Government

A group of senior government officials who advise the executive and oversee major government departments.

Cabinet

Government departments and officials responsible for carrying out laws and administering public policies.

Bureaucracy