Studied by 4 peopleQuantitative data
Information that can be counted or measured in a numerical value.
Qualitative data
Descriptive data that numbers cannot quantify.
Empirical statements
Objective statements based on facts.
Normative statements
Statements that contain subjective or value-related judgments.
Causation
A change in one variable results in a shift in others.
Correlation
An apparent association between two variables.
Human Development Index (HDI)
Measures life expectancy, education, quality of life, etc. in a country.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The total of all goods and services produced in a country.
GDP per capita
GDP divided by the total population.
GDP growth rate
Shows the rate of national economic expansion.
Gini Index (coefficient)
Shows the income inequality within a country (0= perfect equality, 100= perfect inequality).
Freedom House
An organization that calculates a “freedom” score for every country.
Transparency International
Ranks countries based on corruption in the public sector.
Fragile states index
Ranks countries based on indicators such as security threats, economic decline, human rights violations, and social unrest.
Political system
A system that creates laws and rules.
State
A political unit with sovereignty, a body of people, a territory with defined boundaries, and a government able to make political decisions.
Regime
The fundamental rules that control access to and the exercise of political power.
Government
The institution that makes/creates public policy.
Nation
A group of people with similar traits such as religion, race, etc.
Sovereignty
Legal ability to carry out actions and policies within a territory.
Power
The ability to direct the behavior of others through coercion and leadership.
Authority
The legitimate right of the government to use power.
Coup d’etat
An illegal and often violent seizure of government.
Revolution
A sudden and significant change in the system of government.
Supranational organization
Groups or countries that work together for economic and political benefits.
Transparency
Citizens’ ability to access information from the government.
Authoritarian Regime
A system of government that lacks independent branches and civil liberties, with power concentrated under a small group.
Democratic Regime
A form of government where institutions allow citizens to choose public policy makers in free elections.
Democratization
Transformation from a nondemocratic regime to a democratic one.
Democratic Consolidation
A process in which a new democracy matures.
Illiberal Democracy
A government where elections occur, but civil rights are significantly limited.
Hybrid regime
A system that has elements of both democracy and authoritarianism.
Theocracy
A political system based on religious authority.
Totalitarian regime
A political system where the government controls all aspects of society.
Suffrage
The right to vote.
Rule of Law
The principle that all people must abide by the same laws, regardless of position.
Civil liberties
Fundamental rights and freedoms granted to individuals by law.
Legitimacy
The acceptance of a government system by its citizens, granting the right to exercise power.
Political efficacy
The theory that citizens feel they have an impact on the government.
Nationalism
Immense pride in one’s country.
Institutions
Organizations, structures, and norms that shape political action.
Unitary System
A system where the central government holds the most power, with little to no power in state and local governments.
Federal system
A system where power is divided between a national government and regional authorities.
Delegation
When one level of government grants power to another.
Devolution
The transfer of certain powers from one entity to another.
Traditional legitimacy
When a government bases its rule on ideological policy and tradition.
Charismatic legitimacy
Rule based on an individual’s personality (e.g., Napoleon).
Rational-legal legitimacy
Rule based on law and established procedures.
Centripetal forces
Actions that unite the people as one singular political unit.
Centrifugal forces
Forces or attitudes that can divide a state.
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