AP Comp Gov Unit 1

Quantitative 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.