AP Comp Govt. Set 1: Political systems, regimes, and govt.

Made By Adam Gingrich

Normative Statement

A normative statement is a claim or judgment that expresses an opinion about what ought to be rather than what is. It’s based on values, beliefs, or opinions and cannot be tested or proven true or false with evidence.

Empirical Data

Empirical data refers to information that is collected through direct observation, measurement, or experimentation rather than through theory or pure logic. It is evidence-based and can be verified or tested.

Qualitative Data

Qualitative data is descriptive, non-numerical information that captures qualities, characteristics, and meanings rather than measurements or counts. It’s often collected through interviews, observations, open-ended surveys, or case studies.

Correlation

Correlation is a statistical relationship between two variables that shows whether and how strongly they move together.

Causation

Causation means that one event or variable directly produces an effect in another. In other words, a change in one thing actually causes a change in something else.

Human Development Index

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite measure created by the United Nations to evaluate and compare countries’ overall development and well-being. It goes beyond just economic performance and considers social factors too.

Gross Domestic Product

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country’s borders during a specific time period (usually a year or a quarter). It’s one of the main indicators used to measure a nation’s economic performance.

GDP Per Capita

GDP per capita is the average economic output per person in a country. It’s calculated by dividing a nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by its population.

Gini Index

The Gini Index (also called the Gini Coefficient) is a measure of income inequality within a population. It shows how evenly or unevenly income (or sometimes wealth) is distributed.

Govt. Transparency

“Government transparency” refers to the principle that government operations, decisions, and processes should be open, clear, and accessible to the public. It is a key component of accountability and democratic governance. When governments are transparent, citizens can see how policies are made, how funds are spent, and how decisions impact society. This visibility helps reduce corruption, increase public trust, and enable informed participation in political life.

Govt. Curruption

Governmental corruption refers to the abuse of public power by officials for personal gain, often at the expense of citizens and public trust. It undermines democratic institutions, economic development, and social equality. Corruption can occur at all levels of government—local, regional, or national—and can take many forms.

Political Systems

A political system is the set of formal and informal institutions, rules, and processes that determine how a country or society is governed. It shapes how power is acquired, exercised, and transferred, as well as how policies are made and enforced. Political systems vary widely around the world, but they can generally be categorized by who holds power and how it is exercised.

States

In political science, a state is a political entity with the authority to govern a specific territory and population. States are the primary units of international relations and are distinguished from governments, which are the institutions that run the state. A state must have sovereignty, population, territory, and government.

Regimes

A regime refers to the rules, norms, and institutions that determine how a government operates and exercises authority in a state. It’s different from the state itself (which is the political entity) or the government (which is the current leadership); a regime is more about the system of governance.

Freedom House

Freedom House is a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in the United States that promotes democracy, political freedom, and human rights worldwide. It is best known for its annual “Freedom in the World” report, which assesses the level of political rights and civil liberties in countries around the world.

Government

A government is the organization or group of people that has the authority to make and enforce laws, policies, and decisions for a state or community. It is essentially the mechanism through which a state exercises its power and implements its rules.

Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the supreme authority of a state to govern itself without interference from outside forces. It is one of the most important principles in political science and international relations because it defines the independence and legitimacy of a state.

Nations

A nation is a group of people who share a common identity, often based on factors such as culture, language, religion, history, or ethnicity, and who see themselves as a cohesive community. Unlike a state, a nation does not necessarily have sovereignty or a defined territory.

The Rule of Law

nobody is above the law

Independence of Govt. Branches

The independence of government branches refers to the principle that the different branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—should operate separately and without undue influence from one another. This separation ensures checks and balances, prevents abuse of power, and protects democratic governance.

Independent Election Commissions

An Independent Election Commission (IEC) is an autonomous body established to oversee and manage the electoral process within a country. Its primary role is to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair, transparent, and impartial manner, free from political interference. This independence is crucial for maintaining public trust in the democratic process.

Sufferage

The right to vote.

Civil Rights

protection issued by govt. that prevents discrimination.

Civil Liberties

Civil liberties are the basic individual rights and freedoms that are guaranteed to citizens, usually by law or a constitution, and that protect individuals from government abuse or interference. They are essential for maintaining personal freedom and democracy.

Corproatist System

A corporatist system (or corporatism) is a political or economic system in which interest groups, such as businesses, labor unions, and other major sectors of society, are formally integrated into the policymaking process. Instead of competing freely, these groups work with the government to influence laws, regulations, and economic policies.

Pluralist System

A pluralist system is a political system in which power is dispersed among multiple competing interest groups, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few or integrated into the state. In this system, no single group dominates policymaking; instead, policies emerge from the competition and negotiation between diverse groups representing different interests in society.

Democratic Electoral System

A Democratic Electoral System is the framework and set of rules through which citizens in a democracy choose their representatives and leaders, typically through free, fair, and competitive elections. It ensures that government authority derives from the consent of the governed.

Illiberal Democracies

Illiberal democracies are political systems where elections occur, but civil liberties, rule of law, and checks on government power are weak or limited. While citizens can vote, the democratic institutions that protect freedoms and ensure accountability are often undermined, creating a system that looks democratic but functions with authoritarian tendencies.

Hybrid regimes

A hybrid regime is a political system that combines elements of democracy and authoritarianism. In these regimes, elections occur and some democratic institutions exist, but authoritarian practices limit political freedoms, rule of law, and genuine competition. Essentially, hybrid regimes sit between full democracies and outright authoritarian states.

One Party States

A one-party state is a political system in which a single political party controls the government, and no other parties are allowed to compete for power. In these systems, the ruling party dominates all aspects of political life, and elections—if they occur—usually serve to reinforce the party’s control rather than offer genuine competition.

Theocracies

State controlled by leaders of a specific religion

Totalitarian Governments

Authoritarian govt. that severely limits citizens rights.

Military Regimes

A military regime is a political system in which the military controls the government, either directly through a coup or indirectly by dominating political institutions. In these regimes, political power is held by military leaders rather than elected civilians, and civil liberties are often restricted.

Democratization

Democratization is the process by which a country transitions from an authoritarian or non-democratic system to a democratic political system. It involves creating political institutions and practices that allow for free elections, citizen participation, accountability, and protection of civil liberties.

Democratic Consolidation

Democratic consolidation is the process through which a democracy becomes stable, durable, and widely accepted by both political elites and citizens, making it unlikely to revert to authoritarianism. It goes beyond simply holding elections—it ensures that democratic norms, institutions, and practices are deeply rooted in society.

Power

The ability to force somebody to do something.

Authority

The states legitimate right to enforce a power.

Sources of Power and Authority

Power and authority are fundamental concepts in political science that explain how governments and leaders influence people and make decisions. While they are related, there is an important difference between them: power is the ability to influence or control others, while authority is power that is recognized as legitimate

Federal States

Division of power between local and national levels with those in between too.

Unitary States

Concentrate power at the national level. More efficient policymaking.

Devolution

Devolution is the transfer of powers and responsibilities from a central government to regional or local governments, while the central government retains ultimate sovereignty. It is a way to decentralize authority, improve governance, and allow regions or localities to manage their own affairs.

Legitimacy

Wether citizen believe that a govt. has the right to use power in the way they do.

Sources of Legitimacy

Legitimacy refers to the general acceptance and recognition of a government’s authority by its citizens and other actors. A government is considered legitimate when people believe it has the right to rule, which encourages compliance and political stability.

Political Stability

Political stability refers to the ability of a government or political system to function effectively over time without excessive disruption, violence, or abrupt changes in leadership. It is an important feature of strong states because it promotes economic growth, public trust, and social order.

Coercion

Coercion is the use of force, threats, or intimidation to make individuals or groups comply with the will of those in power. In political science, coercion is often contrasted with legitimacy, because coercive authority relies on fear or pressure rather than voluntary acceptance.