ap gov china vocab quiz

Charismatic legitimacy

Authority based on a leader's personality, appeal, and ability to inspire loyalty; Mao used this through his cult of personality.

National-legal legitimacy

Legitimacy based on established laws, rules, and formal institutions rather than personal leadership.

Democratic centralism

Party members may debate internally, but once a decision is made, everyone must obey and implement it.

National People's Congress (NPC)

China's unicameral legislature and highest state organ; often called a rubber stamp because it approves CCP decisions.

Authoritarian regime

A political system where power is concentrated in one ruling group, opposition is restricted, and political freedoms are limited.

Unicameral

A legislative system with only one chamber, such as China's NPC.

Politburo Standing Committee

China's highest decision-making body, consisting of the most powerful CCP leaders.

General Secretary

Head of the CCP and China's most powerful political leader; currently also serves as president and CMC chairman.

Premier

Head of China's State Council who manages government administration and economic policy.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

China's ruling single party, which holds a monopoly on political power and dominates state institutions.

People's Liberation Army (PLA)

China's unified military force, controlled by the CCP through the Central Military Commission.

Standing Committee of the NPC

Exercises legislative powers when the full NPC is not in session and interprets laws and the Constitution.

Central Military Commission (CMC)

Institution that commands the PLA and oversees China's national defense.

Princeling

A person from a prominent revolutionary or political family who benefits from family connections within the CCP.

Xi Jinping

China's current leader; General Secretary, President, and CMC Chairman. Removed presidential term limits in 2018.

Mao Zedong

Founder of the PRC who used charismatic legitimacy and launched the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution.

Deng Xiaoping

Leader who introduced the Four Modernizations, Open Door Policy, market reforms, SEZs, and economic liberalization while maintaining CCP political control.

Communism

A theoretical classless, stateless society with collective ownership of resources; China's actual system remains CCP-controlled.

Chinese Dream

Xi Jinping's vision emphasizing national rejuvenation, economic prosperity, military strength, and China becoming a global superpower.

Harmonious Society

Policy under Hu Jintao aimed at addressing inequality, income disparities, and environmental problems without democratic reforms.

Mass Line

Maoist ideology requiring the CCP to listen to citizens' concerns and incorporate them into policies to maintain public support.

Young Pioneers

National youth organization that teaches children CCP values, patriotism, and loyalty to the party.

Communist Youth League

CCP-led youth organization that socializes young adults and serves as a recruitment pipeline for future party members.

Nomenklatura

System in which the CCP controls appointments to important government and political positions.

Personality cult

When propaganda and media portray a political leader as exceptional to build loyalty and public admiration.

Ethnocentrism

Judging other cultures according to the standards and values of one's own culture.

Han Chinese

China's majority ethnic group; the CCP promotes national integration and assimilation, sometimes at the expense of minority cultures.

Sinicize religion

Xi's policy requiring religious practices to align with Chinese culture, CCP ideology, and socialist values.

Taiwan

Self-governing democracy with its own constitution and elected government; the CCP claims it as part of China and seeks reunification.

Hong Kong

Former British colony returned to China in 1997 under One Country, Two Systems; the National Security Law restricted civil liberties.

Two Chinas

Political division following the Chinese Civil War between the PRC on mainland China and the ROC on Taiwan.

Guanxi

Personal networks and social connections that influence business relationships, opportunities, and social status in China.

Tibetans

Ethnic minority with distinct language, culture, and traditions; Tibet is an autonomous region under strict CCP control.

One-party state

A political system where one party holds a monopoly on political power, as the CCP does in China.

National Party Congress

Assembly of CCP delegates held every five years to approve policies, amend the party constitution, and select leadership.

GONGOs

Government-organized NGOs that appear to represent civil society but are created or controlled by the government.

Pluralism

A system where political power is distributed among competing interest groups rather than concentrated in one ruling body.

Corporatism

A system where governments recognize and control selected interest groups that represent specific sectors of society.

Hukou system

Household registration system that classifies citizens as rural or urban and affects access to services based on registration.

Toilet Revolution

Campaign to improve sanitation and toilet facilities in rural areas and public spaces throughout China.

Democracy Wall Movement

Movement in Beijing where citizens posted big-character posters demanding political reform and democratic rights.

1989 Democracy Movement

Student-led protests in Tiananmen Square demanding political reform, greater freedoms, free speech, and an end to corruption.

National Supervision Commission

Anti-corruption institution that investigates public officials and operates under CCP-dominated political authority.

Isolationism

Foreign policy approach in which a country avoids international alliances and involvement in other nations' affairs.

State capitalist economic system

Economic system where the state controls major industries and resource allocation while allowing market competition.

Four Modernizations

Deng Xiaoping's goals to modernize agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology.

Economic liberalization

Reducing government restrictions on economic activity and allowing greater market competition while maintaining CCP political control.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

Designated areas with market-oriented policies and tax incentives designed to attract foreign investment and increase trade.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Investment by a company or individual from one country into business operations in another country.

Great Leap Forward

Mao's campaign to rapidly industrialize China and collectivize agriculture through communes and mass production.

Belt and Road Initiative

China's global infrastructure and investment project connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa through transportation and trade networks.