AP comparative government

comparative politics

The study of similarity & differences between states, how different governments operate

Comparative Method

Examine the same phenomenon in several cases & reaching conclusions

Causation

When a change in one variable precipitates a change in another variable

Correlation

An apparent connection between variables. ex) people wanting to vote because they think it will make a change

Empirical statement

An assertion of fact that can be proven

Normative Statement

A value judgement, uses should/ ought.

Quantitative Data

Observations made using statistical techniques

EX) graphs, charts

Qualitative Data

Text-based descriptions.

EX) a survey

Source Analysis

Reading & Analyzing text.

Human Development Index (HDI)

life-expectancy, education, per capita GDP. higher wealth = higher score

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Total value of goals & services provided in a country in a year

GDP Growth Rate

% a GDP has grown over a year

Gini Index

A measure of income inequality

Freedom House

A non-governmental organization that measure the level of democracy in countries year to year

Transparency International

Level of corruption via Corruption Perception index

corruption

the use of official power for a personal gain

Grand Corruption

corruption among the political elite

petty corruption

everyday abuse of power by government workers

The Fragile States Index

attempts to measure the existential danger each state faces

strong state

state that is capable of providing necessary government services to its citizens

The Human Index

an aggregate measures of life expectancy, education, & per capita income

Democratic consolidation

The process by which a regime has developed stable democratic institutions & significant protections of civil rights & it’s unlikely to revert to authoritarian

regime

type of political system

regime change

a change in fundamental system of government

coup d’etat

overthrow of government by people/military leaders

revolution

overthrow of a regime based on popular support

change in government

new leader often happens in democratic

nation

group of people who share ethnicity/cultural backgrounds

nationalism

when a group has a strong sense of identity & believes it has its own destiny

liberal democracy

free & fair elections provides citizens with an array of rights

Illiberal/hybrid democracy

system in which elections are rigged by fraud. protects some rights but restricts others

transparency

the ability of citizens to know what the government is doing

authoritarian regime

a system w/o free & fair elections in which civil rights & liberties are restricted

totalitarian regime

type of authoritarian government where the state controls the citizens life’s

democratization

process of becoming a democracy

democratic consolidation

process by which a regime becomes a stable democracy & protection of civil rights

democratic backsliding

decline in the quality of democracy, decrease in citizens participation, rule of law, transparency, & accountability