AP Comparative Government Key Terms

A set of flashcards covering key terms and definitions from AP Comparative Government, aiding in exam preparation.

Freedom House

An independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world.

Normative

Making comparisons/classifications based on philosophies, norms or 'should' instead of facts.

Empirical

A statement type that draws conclusions based on opinion or observation.

Correlation

Exists when there is an association between two or more variables.

Developed Countries

Countries with high per capita GDP, well-developed infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems.

Developing Countries

Countries experiencing rapid economic growth but with low per capita GDP and weaknesses in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

HDI

A measure of a country's standard of living, including health and education.

GINI Index

A formula that measures economic inequality within a country.

State

A political system with sovereignty over a population in a defined territory.

Nation

A group of people with a psychological sense of identity based on cultural, geographic, or linguistic ties.

Government

More fluid than a regime, as it can change via the electoral process.

Regime

Permanent norms about how political power is distributed and used.

Legitimacy

The degree to which people accept and endorse their regime.

Democratic

A regime adhering to the rule of law, free and fair elections, and open civil society.

Authoritarian

A regime that restricts civil liberties and maintains power through law and institutions.

Theocracy

A regime that maintains religious laws and authority by religious texts and/or clerics.

Democratization

The process by which a non-democratic state changes to a government allowing free and fair elections.

Coup

An attempt to remove government officials, typically conducted by military forces.

Federal

A political system where power is divided between the national and regional governments.

Unitary

A political system where all power is geographically held by the central government.

Revolution

The overthrow and replacement of a regime based on broad popular support.

Devolution

Decentralizing or transferring power to reduce dissent.

Parliamentary System

An executive branch system where members of the legislative branch elect the chief executive.

Presidential System

An executive branch system where the chief executive is elected independent of the legislature.

Head of State

The symbolic leader of a state representing the people.

Head of Government

The executive responsible for running the government and making political decisions.

Cabinet

The key body in parliamentary systems that forms policy proposals, appointed by the president in presidential systems.

Bicameral

A two-house legislature.

Unicameral

A one-house legislature.

Vote of Confidence

A method in a parliamentary system to remove the prime minister or cabinet.

Impeachment

The process to remove the executive in most presidential systems.

Judicial Independence

The principle that courts should not be subject to influence from other government branches.

Rule of Law

A system operating under a known and transparent set of rules.

Rule by Law

Using the law unfairly to punish opposition in authoritarian regimes.

Judicial Review

The judiciary's power to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government policies.

Common Law

A legal system where law is made by judicial precedent.

Single Member/FPTP

An electoral system where a constituency sends one member to parliament.

Two Party System

A political system featuring primary competition between two major parties.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system encouraging multiple parties where votes are proportional to representation.

Multi-Party System

A party system with several important political parties, none gaining most legislative seats.

Majority Runoff

A second electoral round held to determine a winner when no candidate achieves a majority.

One Party Dominant

A regime where only one political party controls power.

Referendum

A national ballot on a policy issue allowing direct public decisions.

Civil Society

Organizations that operate independently of the government to check state power.

Cleavages

Factors separating groups in society.

Political Culture

The history, culture, values, and traditions influencing political behavior.

Pluralism

A system promoting competition among autonomous groups not linked to the state.

Corporatism

An authoritarian regime utilizing state-sanctioned groups for policy representation.

Post-Materialism

A belief in prioritizing higher-order concerns such as education and the environment.

Populism

A political ideology appealing to regular people against political insiders.

Socialism

Belief in reducing income disparities through nationalizing major industries.

Neoliberalism

An ideology supporting limited government intervention in the economy.

Individualism

An ideology prioritizing individual freedoms over government restrictions.

Fascism

An extreme nationalist ideology favoring authoritarian rule.

Supranational Organization

Organizations where member states give up some sovereignty.

Globalization

The process of growing interconnectedness among economies and markets.

Rentier State

A state that obtains significant revenue from exporting natural resources.

Command Economy

An economy centrally planned with minimal regard for supply and demand.

Market Economy

An economy relying on supply and demand to allocate resources.

Economic Liberalization

Reduction of state intervention in favor of free market mechanisms.

Communism

An ideology advocating the abolishment of private property for equality.

Austerity

Measures taken by governments to reduce budget deficits.