Unit 1 AP COMP GOV

Comparative Politics

Study of domestic political systems and patterns across countries to identify similarities and differences

International Relations

Focus on relationships between states and global actors.

Institution

Stable political or social structure that shapes behavior (e.g., constitutions, legislatures)

Empirical Research

Based on factual observation or data.

Normative Research

Focuses on value judgments about what should be

Dependent Variable

Outcome being measured or explained.

Independent Variable

Factor that influences the dependent variable

Correlation

Two variables vary together but may not have a cause and effect link

Causation

One variable directly produces an effect in another.

State

Political organization with sovereignty over a defined territory.

Nation

Group of people sharing culture, language, or history.

Regime

Rules and norms governing how power is exercised

Government

People or institutions currently holding political authority.

Country

Geographic territory of a state.

Sovereignty

Independent authority over a territory.

Political Legitimacy

Public acceptance of a government's right to rule (sources: tradition, charisma, legal-rational).

Unitary System

Central government holds primary authority (e.g., UK).

Federal System

Power shared between national and subnational governments (e.g., U.S.).

Decentralization

Transfer of decision-making from central to local levels

Head of State

Symbolic national leader (e.g., monarch or president in ceremonies).

Head of Government

Runs the executive and policy (e.g., prime minister).

Parliamentary System

Executive derives power from legislative majority.

Presidential System

Executive elected separately from legislature.

Bureaucracy

Administrative agencies implementing laws.

First-Past-the-Post

Candidate with most votes wins, often leading to two-party systems

Proportional Representation

Seats distributed by vote share, encouraging multiparty systems.

Referendum

Direct vote by citizens on a specific policy.

Plebiscite

Nonbinding popular vote on an issue.

Initiative

Process allowing citizens to propose laws.

Linkage Institution

Connects citizens to government (e.g., parties, media, interest groups).

Interest Group - Pluralist

Many groups compete for influence.

Interest Group - Corporatist

State coordinates with a limited set of groups.

Social Cleavages

Divisions in society (ethnic, religious, class).

Cross-Cutting Cleavages

Groups overlap, reducing conflict.

Coinciding Cleavages

Divisions reinforce each other, increasing tension.

Political Efficacy

Belief that one's political actions matter.

Political Socialization

Process of learning political values.

Social Capital

Networks and trust facilitating cooperation.

Transparency

Government openness that builds trust.

Civil Society

Organizations outside government (e.g., NGOs, clubs)

Political Change

Shifts in governing structures or policies.

Modernization Theory

Economic growth leads to democracy.

Dependency Theory

Poor nations depend on wealthy ones, limiting growth.

Command Economy

Government directs production and prices.

Market Economy

Supply and demand guide economic activity.

Political Liberalization

Expansion of civil liberties and rights.

Economic Liberalization

Reduction of state control over the economy

Democratization

Transition toward democratic rule.

Illiberal Democracy

Elections held but rights limited.

Liberal Democracy

Free elections plus strong civil liberties.

Fragmentation

Breakdown of political unity.

Globalization

Increasing interconnectedness of economies and cultures.

Public Policy

Government actions addressing public issues.

Civil Liberties

Individual rights protected from government interference.

Freedom House Rating

Scores countries on political rights and civil liberties

Human Development Index

Measure of life expectancy, education, and income.

GDP

Total value of goods/services produced domestically.

GNP

GDP plus net income from abroad.

PPP

Purchasing power parity; adjusts GDP for cost of living.

Gini Coefficient

Measure of income inequality (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).