AP Comparative Government Conceptual Topics

AP Comparative Government Conceptual Topics Flashcards

What are Quantitative Studies?

Studies that use numbers and statistical analysis to analyze data.

What are Qualitative Studies?

Studies that focus on in-depth analysis of a limited number of cases.

What are Empirical Statements?

Statements that are based on factual evidence.

What are Normative Statements?

Statements that involve value judgments and opinions.

What is Causation?

When one variable directly causes a change in another variable.

What is Correlation?

When two or more variables are related, but one does not necessarily cause the other.

What are States?

Political entities with defined borders, a government, and a population.

What are Regimes?

Regimes are the set of rules and norms that govern political institutions and behavior in a country. They shape how power is distributed and exercised, determining the nature of government and political participation.

What are Governments?

The leadership that runs the state.

What are Nations (Nationalities)?

Groups of people with a shared identity, culture, and history.

What is Democratization?

The process of transitioning to a democratic regime.

What is Democracy?

A political system in which the people hold power and elect representatives.

What is Authoritarianism?

A system of government in which the state has broad control over the population but not necessarily every aspect of their lives.

What is Totalitarianism?

A highly centralized regime that controls nearly all aspects of public and private life.

What is Illiberal Democracy?

A system where elections occur, but they lack key characteristics of a liberal democracy.

What is a One-Party State?

A political system in which one political party controls the government.

What is a Hybrid Regime?

A regime that combines elements of democracy and authoritarianism.

What is a Theocracy?

A system of government based on religious law.

What is a Military Regime?

A form of government in which military leaders hold power.

What is Corruption?

Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power.

What is Democratic Consolidation?

The process by which a new democracy matures, in a way that it is unlikely to revert to authoritarianism

What is Power/Authority?

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people.

What is Legitimacy?

The belief that a government has the right to rule.

What is a Federal System?

A system of government where power is divided between a central government and regional governments.

What is a Unitary System?

A system of government where power is concentrated in a central government.

What is Devolution?

The transfer of power from a central government to regional governments.

What is Personal/Charismatic Legitimacy?

Legitimacy based on the personal appeal of a leader.

What is Traditional Legitimacy?

Legitimacy based on long-standing customs and beliefs.

What is Revolution?

A process in which a political regime is overthrown through mass mobilization .

What is Rational-Legal Legitimacy?

Legitimacy based on established laws and procedures.

What does HDI measure?

A composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators.

What does GDP measure?

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

What does GINI measure?

A measure of income inequality within a population.

What is Freedom House?

An organization that assesses the level of freedom in countries.

What is Transparency International?

An organization that measures perceived levels of public sector corruption.

What is the Failed State Index?

An index that ranks states based on their fragility and risk of collapse.

What is a Parliamentary System?

A system of government in which the executive branch is drawn from the legislature.

What is a Presidential System?

A system of government in which the executive branch is separate from the legislature.

What are Term-Limits?

Legal restrictions on the number of terms an officeholder may serve.

What is a Semi-Presidential System?

A system of government in which the president shares power with a prime minister.

What is a Vote of No Confidence?

A vote by the legislature to remove a government from power.

Who is the Head of State?

The symbolic representative of a country.

Who is the Head of Government?

The chief executive who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the government.

What is a Unicameral Legislature?

A legislature with one chamber.

What is a Bicameral Legislature?

A legislature with two chambers.

What is Rule of Law?

The principle that everyone is subject to the law, including the government.

What is Rule by Law?

The principle that the government uses the law to control the population.

What are Constitutional Courts?

Courts that have the power to review the constitutionality of laws.

What is Judicial Review?

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

What is Legislative Independence?

The degree to which the legislative branch is able to function and assert its authority independently of other branches.

What is Cabinet Formation?

The process of forming a cabinet in a parliamentary system.

What is Judicial Independence?

The ability of courts to operate without influence from other branches of government.

What is Civil Society?

Organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests

What is Political Culture?

The aggregate attitudes of the citizens of a state toward the government

What is Socialization (Ascribed)?

The process through which individuals are taught the values and norms of a society.

What is Ethnicity?

A set of institutions that bind people together through a common culture.
Origin, History, Food, Language, Culture, and Appearance

What is Nationality?

The sense of belonging to a nation and belief in its political aspirations.

What are Norms & Taboos?

Informal understandings about behavior.

What are Political Ideologies?

A set of political values held by individuals regarding the fundamental goals of politics.

What are Political Attitudes?

Views regarding the necessary pace and scope of political change.

What is Political Participation?

Activities used to express views on government actions.

What is Political Violence?

Politically motivated violence outside of state control.

What is Ethnic/National Violence?

Violence resulting in conflict between ethnic and national identities.

What is a Coup de’tat?

A forced takeover of government by the military.

What is a Civil War?

Armed combat within the boundaries of a sovereign state between parties subject to a common authority at the start of the hostilities.

What are Protests/Social Movements/Referenda?

Ways to express political views such as demonstrations, marches or boycotts.

What are GONGOs?

A GONGO is a term used to describe a government-organized non-governmental organization.

What are Civil Rights?

Individual rights regarding equality before the law.

What are Civil Liberties?

Individual freedoms protected from government interference.

What are Electoral Systems?

Rules governing how votes are cast and counted.

What is Proportional Representation?

An election system in which seats are allocated in proportion to the votes received by each party.

What is SMD?

An electoral system in which the candidate with the most votes in a single district wins.

What are Electoral Rules?

Electoral rules such as Plurality/Majority.

What is a Single-Party System?

A political system in which one political party controls the government with no other parties allowed.

What is a Two-Party System?

A political system in which two major parties dominate politics.

What is a Dominant Party System?

A political system in which one party maintains power for a long period of time.

What is a Multiparty System?

A system in which multiple parties share power in government.

What is a Coalition Government?

A government formed by multiple parties working together.

What is Election Oversight?

Monitoring and supervising elections to ensure fairness.

What are Free & Fair Elections?

Elections that are conducted honestly and without coercion.

What is Election Corruption?

Illegal activities related to elections, such as vote buying or fraud.

What is Peaceful Transfer of Power?

The peaceful transfer of power from one government to another.

What is the Impact of Social Movements?

The influence of social movements on political outcomes.

What is the Impact of Interest Groups?

Lobbying officials, providing information, and influencing public opinion. They also play a role in mobilizing citizens, raising funds for political campaigns, and filing amicus briefs in court cases.

What is Co-option?

When the state buys off its critics.

What is Pluralism (Groups)?

A system in which many groups compete for influence in the government.

What is Corporatism?

A system in which the government works closely with interest groups to shape policy.

What is Clientism?

refers to a reciprocal relationship where individuals, or groups, exchange political support for material or other benefits. This involves a hierarchy with patrons

What is Rent-Seeking?

The use of public office for private gain.

What is Kleptocracy?

A government that is extremely corrupt and uses its power to steal from its own people.

What is Globalization?

The increasing interconnectedness of the world.

What is Economic Development?

Improvements in a country's economic well-being.

What are the IMF/WTO World Bank?

International financial institutions.

What is Direct Foreign Investment?

Investment by a company in a foreign country.

What is Neoliberalism?

A set of economic policies that promote free markets and reduced government intervention.

What is Neo-colonialism?

The use of economic, political, or cultural pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies.

What is Structural Adjustment?

Economic policies imposed on developing countries by international organizations.

What is Export Orientation?

An economic strategy that focuses on producing goods for export.

What is Mercantilism?

An economic policy that promotes domestic production and trade.

What is Import Substitution (Protectionism)?

An economic strategy that aims to reduce reliance on imports.