Ap Comp Gov: Priority U1

Quantitative information

Information expressed with numbers, statistics, or measurable data.

Qualitative information

Descriptive data

Empirical statements/data

Claims based on observable, measurable evidence that can be tested.

Normative statements

Value-based claims that state how things should be, not just how they are.

Causation

A direct cause-and-effect relationship between two variables.

Correlation

A relationship between two variables that move together, but without proof of cause.

Political System

The structures, institutions, and processes that organize power and authority in a country.

State

A political organization with sovereignty over a defined territory and population.

Regime

How political power is obtained and exercised.

Government

The individuals and institutions currently in power making decisions for a state.

Nation

A group of people with a shared identity, history, language, or culture.

Human Development Index (HDI)

UN measure combining life expectancy, education, and income to assess well-being.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of all goods and services produced in a country in one year.

GDP growth rate

The annual percentage increase (or decrease) in a country’s GDP.

Gini index (coefficient)

A measure of inequality from 0 (equal) to 1 (very unequal).

Freedom House

Organization that ranks countries on political rights and civil liberties.

Transparency International

Organization that tracks corruption worldwide.

Failed State Index

Measure of how weak, unstable, or at risk of collapse a state is.

Regime types

Democracy

Regime types

Authoritarian (illiberal democracy/hybrid)

Democratization

The process of moving from authoritarian rule toward democracy.

Democratic consolidation

When democracy becomes stable, widely accepted, and unlikely to revert.

Political liberalization

Expansion of rights and freedoms without full democracy.

Revolution

Rapid, fundamental, and often violent political and social change.

Coups d’état

Sudden seizure of power by elites or the military.

Legitimacy

The belief that a government has the right to rule.

Federal system

Government where power is shared between central and regional authorities.

Unitary system

Government where power is concentrated in the central authority.

Devolution

Transfer of power from central government to regional/local governments.

Parliamentary System

System where the executive (prime minister) is chosen by and accountable to the legislature.

Presidential System

The President is the head of state and gov. Elected by the people.

Semi-presidential systems

The president is the head of state. The PM is the head of gov. The President is elected by the people. The PM by the legislature.

Cabinet

Group of top officials who advise the head of government and lead ministries.

Unicameral

Legislature with one chamber.

Bicameral

Legislature with two chambers.

Theocracy

Government where leaders claim divine guidance and religious law dominates.

Rule of law

Principle that all are subject to the same legal rules, including leaders.

Rule by law

When government uses laws to control people but is not itself bound by them.

Independent judiciary

Courts not controlled by the executive/legislature; free to make impartial decisions.

Judicial review

The ability of courts to decide if laws or government actions violate the constitution.

Sharia law

Islamic legal system based on religious texts and interpretations.

Common law

Legal system based on judges’ past rulings rather than only written codes.

Civil society

Organizations outside the state that promote public participation

Federalism

Divides power between a central government and regional

Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)

Independent, non-profit groups that work on social, political, or humanitarian issues.

Political culture

Shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about politics in a society.

Political socialization

The process by which people learn political values and beliefs.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about how politics and the economy should be organized.

Individualism

Belief in personal freedom and responsibility over collective goals.

Neoliberalism

Economic policy favoring free markets, privatization, and limited government intervention.

Communism

Ideology calling for collective ownership, class equality, and abolition of private property.

Socialism

Ideology favoring government intervention to reduce inequality while keeping some private ownership.

Fascism

Authoritarian ideology emphasizing nationalism, unity, and obedience to the state.

Populism

Political approach claiming to represent “the people” against elites.

Post-materialism

Country is done fulfilling people’s needs, goes onto their wants.

Political participation

Ways citizens influence politics (e.g., voting, protests, joining parties).

Coercion

Using force or threats to control people and maintain authority.

Referendum

Direct vote by citizens on a specific issue or policy.

Civil rights

Rights that protect individuals’ equality in society (e.g., against discrimination).

Civil Liberties

Freedoms protecting individuals from government abuse (e.g., speech, religion).

Cleavages

Divisions in society (class, ethnicity, religion, etc.) that affect politics.

Political stability

The extent to which a government is stable, orderly, and resistant to crisis.

Electoral system

Rules for how votes are cast and counted

Single-member plurality districts

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

Multi-member districts

Electoral system where multiple representatives are chosen per district.

Proportional Representation

System where parties win seats in proportion to their share of the vote.

Party system

Pattern of political parties competing in a country.

Two-party system

System where two major parties dominate elections.

Runoff election

A follow-up vote between top candidates if no one wins a majority.

One-party system

System where only one political party is allowed to control the state.

Multiparty system

System where multiple parties compete for power and representation.

Catch-all parties

Parties seeking support by appealing to many groups with broad ideologies.

Social movements

Large, informal groups pushing for social or political change.

Interest Groups

Organizations that advocate for specific policies or causes.

Pluralism

A theory that political power is shared between multiple interest groups, so no one group dominates.

Corporatism

System where state officially recognizes and negotiates with key groups.

Economic globalization

The increasing integration of economies through trade, investment, and technology.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Global organization that lends money to countries in financial crisis.

World Bank

An international institution that funds development projects and reduces poverty.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Global organization regulating international trade rules.

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Companies operating in multiple countries.

Globalization

Process of increasing interconnectedness in politics, economics, and culture.

Neoliberalism

Economic policy promoting free trade, deregulation, and privatization.

State-owned industries

Businesses owned and controlled by the government.

Nationalization

Government takeover of private industries.

Economic liberalization

Policies to reduce state control and allow more private market activity.

Structural Adjustment

Rules that developing countries must abide by if they want to receive money from the World Bank/IMF.

Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI)

An economic policy where a country replaces foreign imports with its own production to decrease foreign dependency and foster its own industries.

Austerity

Government policy of reducing spending to control debt.

Supranational Organization

Organizations where states give up some sovereignty to cooperate (e.g., EU, UN).

Rentier state

A state that derives much of its income from renting natural resources (e.g., oil).

United Kingdom (UK)

A consolidated democracy with a parliamentary system, unitary state structure, and a strong tradition of rule of law.

Russia

An authoritarian regime with a presidential system, federal structure, and significant power concentrated in the presidency.

China

An authoritarian, one-party state (Communist Party of China) with a unitary system and centralized control

Mexico

A presidential system, federal structure, and a multiparty democracy that has transitioned from one-party dominance (PRI)

Iran

A theocratic republic blending theocracy (clerical rule under the Supreme Leader) with republican institutions like the president and legislature.

Nigeria

A federal, presidential system with democratic institutions, but facing challenges of corruption, ethnic/religious cleavages, and instability