AP Comp Gov Vocab Review

Correlation

Relationship between two variables that change together but one does not necessarily cause the other.

Causation

One variable directly produces an effect in another.

Empirical statement

A claim based on observable, measurable evidence.

Normative statement

A value-based judgment about what should be.

Quantitative data

Numerical data used to measure or compare political outcomes.

Qualitative data

Descriptive, non-numerical information about political behavior or institutions.

Comparative politics

The study of political systems by comparing countries.

Human Development Index

Composite measure of life expectancy, education, and income.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Total value of goods and services produced within a country in one year.

GDP per capita

GDP divided by population; average economic output per person.

Gini index

Measure of income inequality within a country.

Freedom House

Organization scoring countries on political rights and civil liberties.

Fragile State Index

Measure of a state's vulnerability to collapse.

Failed state

State unable to provide basic services or maintain order.

Corruption

Abuse of public office for personal gain.

Corruption Perceptions Index

Index ranking countries by perceived corruption.

Government

Institutions and people with authority to make public policy.

Bureaucracy

Administrative agencies that implement government policies.

Sovereignty

State's independent legal authority over its territory and population.

International recognition

Acceptance of a political entity as a legitimate state by other states.

Regime

Fundamental rules and norms of politics that endure over time.

Regime change

Transformation of a country's political system and rules.

Change in government

Change in leadership without altering the underlying regime.

Nation

Group of people with shared identity, history, culture, or ethnicity.

Nationalism

Strong loyalty to and identification with a nation.

Liberal democracy

System with free elections, rule of law, civil liberties, and competitive participation.

Authoritarian state

Regime limiting political pluralism and restricting civil liberties.

Totalitarian state

Regime seeking total control over public and private life.

Illiberal/Flawed/Hybrid democracy

System with elections but weak rule of law and limited civil liberties.

Rule of law

All individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law.

Rule by law

State uses law as a tool to control the population rather than limit government.

Power

Ability to influence or control behavior of others.

Authority

Power widely accepted as legitimate.

Theocracy

Regime where religious leaders or religious laws hold political authority.

Coercion

Use of force or threats to influence behavior.

Political liberalization

Expansion of civil liberties and political rights.

Economic liberalization

Reduction of government intervention to increase free-market activity.

Devolution

Transfer of political power from national to subnational governments.

Parliamentary sovereignty

Parliament holds ultimate legal authority.

FPTP (First Past the Post)

System where the candidate with the most votes wins the seat.

Single Member District

One representative is elected per district.

Referendum

Direct vote by citizens on a policy issue.

Austerity measures

Government spending cuts and tax increases to reduce deficits.

Federalism

System where power is shared between national and regional governments.

Rentier state

Country that relies heavily on revenue from natural resource exports.

Resource curse

Resource-rich countries often experience poor governance and conflict.

Oligarchy

Rule by a small, elite group.

Cleavage

Deep division in society based on identity or ideology.

Political godfathering

Powerful elites using informal networks to control political outcomes.

Foreign direct investment

Investment by foreign companies in a domestic economy.

Structural Adjustment Program

Economic reforms required for IMF/World Bank loans promoting liberalization.

Cross-cutting cleavage

Division that reduces conflict because identities overlap.

Patron-clientelism

Exchange of goods or benefits for political support.

NGOs

Non-governmental organizations independent of the state.

Bicameral legislature

Legislature with two chambers.

Mixed electoral system

System combining proportional representation and FPTP.

Proportional representation (PR)

Seats allocated based on percentage of votes parties receive.

Pluralism

Multiple competing interests influence government.

Coup

Sudden overthrow of the government by the military or elites.

Sanction

Penalty imposed by one country to influence another's behavior.

MMD (multimember district)

District that elects two or more representatives.

Shiite Islam

Major branch of Islam with distinct religious and political traditions.

Cabinet head

Leader of the executive cabinet (e.g., prime minister).

Civil society

Voluntary organizations independent of the state representing public interests.

Mandate

Authority granted to a leader based on electoral victory.

Political cleavages

Social or ideological divisions shaping political conflict.

Globalization

Increasing interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures.

Protectionist economic policies

Policies restricting imports to protect domestic industries.

Nationalized industries

Industries owned and operated by the state.

Privatization

Transfer of state-owned enterprises to private ownership.

Coalition government

Government formed by multiple parties sharing power.

Vote of no confidence

Parliamentary vote to remove the executive.

MP

Member of Parliament.

Presidential system

System with a separately elected executive and legislature.

Divided government

Executive and legislature controlled by different parties.

Separation of powers

Division of authority among branches of government.

Term limit

Legal restriction on how long someone may hold office.

Impeachment

Formal process to remove an official for wrongdoing.

Unicameral legislature

Legislature with one chamber.

Judicial independence

Judiciary operates free from political influence.

Welfare state

System where government provides extensive social services.

Political socialization

Process through which individuals acquire political beliefs.

Neoliberalism

Ideology promoting free markets, privatization, and deregulation.

Political ideology

Set of beliefs about the role of government.

Populism

Appeal to ordinary people against elites.

Formal political participation

Official actions such as voting or campaigning.

Informal political participation

Activities like protests, boycotts, or online activism.

Runoff election

Second election held when no candidate wins a required majority.

Grassroots movement

Bottom-up mobilization driven by ordinary citizens.

Sharia Law

Islamic legal principles governing public and private life.