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These are the 75 flashcards used for AP Comp Gov important terms.
Comparative Politics
The study of similarities and differences between states, government systems, and reasons for political changes
Causation
When a change in one variable leads to a change in another variable
Correlation
An apparent connection between variables
Empirical statement
A provable assertion of fact, distinguishing between qualitative and quantitative data
Normative statement
A value judgment, typically using 'should' or 'ought'
Human Development Index (HDI)
A composite measure of life expectancy, education, and per capita income
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The total value of goods and services produced in a country in a year
Gini Index (coefficient)
A measure of income inequality within a country
Freedom House
A non-governmental organization advocating for democracy, human rights, and global freedom measurement
Democratic consolidation
The establishment of stable democratic institutions and civil liberties protection to prevent authoritarian regression
Corruption
The misuse of official power for personal benefit
Strong state
A state capable of providing essential government services to its citizens
Failed state
A state losing control over part or all of its territory
Fragile State Index
A measure assessing state strength, emphasizing concerns about fragile and failed states
State
Political institutions with international recognition governing a population in a defined territory
Government
Institutions and individuals making binding decisions for the state with the lawful right to enforce them
Sovereignty
A state's ability to act without internal or external interference
International recognition
Formal acknowledgment by a state granting official status to another state
Regime
A form of government like liberal democracy or authoritarianism
Regime change
A shift in fundamental government rules and systems
Coup d'etat (coup)
A government overthrow by a small group, often military leaders
Revolution
A regime overthrow with widespread popular support
Change in government
Leadership alteration without fundamental government system changes
Nation
A group sharing common identity, language, culture, or political aspirations
Nationalism
Strong group identity believing in its unique destiny
Liberal democracy
A system with free elections and protected civil rights and liberties
Authoritarian state
A system without free elections and restricted civil rights
Totalitarian state
An authoritarian government controlling nearly all aspects of citizens' lives
Illiberal, flawed, or hybrid democracy
A system with election issues and selective civil rights protection
Rule of law
A system where government officials are subject to the same laws as citizens
Rule by law
Arbitrary law application without equal penalties for officials and citizens
Transparency
Citizens' ability to know government actions
Democratization
Transition from authoritarian to democratic regime
Democratic backsliding
Decrease in democracy quality, including citizen participation and rule of law
Power
Ability to make someone do something they wouldn't otherwise
Authority
Legitimate power a state holds over its people
Theocracy
A system governed by religious principles
Coercion
Use of force or threat to compel actions
Legitimacy
Citizens' belief in the government's right to rule
Political efficacy
Citizen belief in their impact on the government
Traditional legitimacy
Right to rule based on societal historical practices
Charismatic legitimacy
Right to rule based on personal exceptional qualities
Rational-legal legitimacy
Right to rule based on accepted laws
Unitary system
Political system with central government sole sovereignty
Federal system
Political system with power divided among multiple government levels
Devolution
Central government granting powers to regional governments
Patron-Clientelism
Power holders offering benefits for political support
Head of state
Symbolic country representative
Head of government
Key executive in policymaking
Sexenio
Single six-year term for the Mexican president
Nongovernmental Organization (NGO)
Nonprofit group independent of government control
Bicameral
Legislature with two chambers
Chamber of Deputies
Lower house of the Mexican Congress with legislative, tax, budget, and election certification powers
Lower house
Legislative body with more members and less prestige than the upper house
Senate
Upper house of the Mexican Congress confirming appointments, ratifying treaties, and approving federal interventions
Upper house
Legislative body with fewer members and more prestige but less power than the lower house
Civil society
Groups outside government control
Mandate
Broad public support for proposed policies
Mixed electoral system
System combining single-member districts and proportional representation for legislature elections
Single-member plurality system (SMD)
Candidate with most votes in a district wins a legislative seat
Proportional representation (PR) system
Legislature seats awarded based on party vote percentage
Corporatism
State-controlled recognition of interest groups
Peak association
Government-authorized group representing a sector like labor or business
Pluralism
System allowing groups to advocate outside government control
Political culture
Collectively held beliefs about government and political behavior norms
Civil liberties
Fundamental rights protected from government infringement
Civil rights
Government-granted protections against discrimination during political actions
Social cleavage
Society division based on factors like ethnicity, class, or religion
Political cleavage
Citizen division by political beliefs
Economic liberalism
Policies supporting free markets and reducing trade barriers
Globalization
Increased interconnectedness of people, states, and economies
Protectionist economic policies
Measures safeguarding domestic industry and reducing foreign influence
Nationalized industry
Government-controlled state-owned company
Import substitution industrialization (ISI)
Policy encouraging domestic manufacturing growth through high tariffs and incentives
Privatization
Transfer of nationalized industry ownership and control to the private sector
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