Unit 1 Vocabulary

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