AP Comparative Government and Politics Vocabulary List 2024-2025

AP Comparative Government and Politics Vocabulary

Core Concepts & Data

• Correlation: A statistical relationship between two or more variables that describes how they move in relation to each other. It doesn't imply causation.

• Causation: A relationship where one variable directly causes a change in another variable. Establishing causation requires rigorous evidence and control of confounding factors.

• Empirical Statement: A statement based on factual evidence and observation rather than opinion or belief; can be tested and verified.

• Normative Statement: A statement that expresses a value judgment about what should be; it's subjective and cannot be proven true or false with data.

• Quantitative Data: Numerical data that can be statistically analyzed (e.g., GDP, population statistics).

• Qualitative Data: Non-numerical data that provides descriptive insights (e.g., interview transcripts, case studies).

• Comparative Politics: The study of domestic politics, institutions, behavior, and conflict of countries.

• Human Development Index (HDI): A composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. It's used as a measurement of overall well-being.

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period (usually a year). It measures the size of a nation's economy.

• GDP per capita: A measure of a country's economic output that accounts for its number of people. It is calculated by dividing the GDP by the population.
  GDP \ per \ capita = \frac{GDP}{Population}

• Gini Index: A measure of income inequality within a population, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality).

• Freedom House: An organization that assesses and reports on the state of political rights and civil liberties around the world.

• Fragile State Index: An index that ranks states based on their stability and risk of conflict or collapse. High scores indicate greater fragility.

• Failed State: A state so weak that its political structures collapse, leading to anarchy, violence, and a breakdown of law and order.

• Corruption: Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery or illicit dealings.

• Corruption Perceptions Index: An index published annually by Transparency International that ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption.

• Government Bureaucracy: The administrative system of a government, characterized by specialized departments, standardized procedures, and a hierarchy of authority.

State & Sovereignty

• Sovereignty: The supreme and independent authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

• International Recognition: Acceptance of a state's sovereignty by other states in the international community.

Regime & Change

• Regime: The fundamental rules and norms of politics that shape governing authority and political institutions. It's more enduring than a government.

• Regime Change: The replacement of one set of rules and norms by another, often involving a fundamental shift in the nature of political authority.

• Change in Government: A change in the leadership or ruling party within an existing regime.

Nation & Identity

• Nation: A group of people who share a common identity, culture, language, and history. It does not necessarily correspond to state boundaries.

• Nationalism: A strong feeling of pride in and loyalty to one's nation, often accompanied by a desire for self-determination and political independence.

Political Systems

• Liberal Democracy: A political system characterized by free and fair elections, protection of civil rights and liberties, rule of law, and separation of powers.

• Authoritarian State: A political system in which a single ruler or small group holds absolute power without constitutional accountability.

• Totalitarian State: An extreme form of authoritarianism in which the government controls nearly every aspect of public and private life.

• Illiberal, Flawed, or Hybrid Democracies: Political systems that combine democratic and authoritarian features. Elections may be held, but civil liberties are restricted, and the rule of law is weak.

• Rule of Law: The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable to the law, which is fairly applied and enforced.

• Rule by Law: A system where the law is used as an instrument of the state to control the population, rather than applying equally to all.

• Power: The ability to influence the behavior of others.

• Authority: Legitimate power that is recognized and accepted by those subject to it.

• Theocracy: A system of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of God or a god.

• Coercion: The use of force or threats to compel someone to do something against their will.

Political & Economic Change

• Political Liberalization: The process of making a political system more democratic, such as allowing free and fair elections.

• Economic Liberalization: The process of reducing government intervention in the economy, such as privatizing state-owned enterprises.

• Devolution: The transfer of powers and responsibilities from a central government to regional or local authorities.

Electoral & Governmental Systems

• Parliamentary Sovereignty: The principle that parliament is the supreme legal authority in the state.

• FPTP (First Past The Post) / Single Member District: An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in each district wins.

• Referendum: A direct vote by the electorate on a particular issue or policy proposal.

• Austerity Measures: Strict economic policies that a government imposes to reduce spending and debt.

• Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and regional or state governments.

Economic Concepts

• Rentier State: A state that derives a significant portion of its revenue from the rent of indigenous resources to external clients.

• Resource Curse: The paradox that countries with abundant natural resources often experience slower economic growth and development than countries with fewer resources.

• Oligarchy: A form of government in which a small number of people hold power.

• Cleavage: Divisions within a society based on religion, ethnicity, class, or other factors that can lead to political conflict.

• Political Godfathering: An informal patron-client relationship where a powerful person provides benefits in exchange for political support.

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Investment made by a company or entity based in one country, into a company or entity based in another country.

• Structural Adjustment Program: A set of economic reforms that are often required by international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF in exchange for loans.

• Cross Cutting Cleavage: Divisions in society that split demographic groups along various dimensions. For example, someone may be poor but religious, while another person may be rich but not religious. This typically reduces conflict.

• Patron-Clientelism: A political system based on reciprocal favors and benefits, where patrons provide goods and services in exchange for political support.

• NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations): Non-profit organizations that operate independently of governments to address social and political issues.

Legislative Systems

• Bicameral Legislature: A legislature composed of two chambers or houses.

• Mixed Electoral System: An electoral system that combines elements of proportional representation and single-member districts.

• Proportional Representation (PR): An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.

• Pluralism: A political system in which power is distributed among many different groups and interests.

Other Terms

• Coup: A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.

• Theocracy: A system of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of God or a god.

• Sanction: A penalty or coercive measure imposed on a country or individual, usually for political reasons.

• MMD (Multi-Member District): An electoral district that elects more than one representative to a legislative body.

• Shiite Islam: The second largest branch of Islam.

• Cabinet Head: the leader of a cabinet.

• Civil Society: Organizations and associations that operate independently of the government, such as NGOs, interest groups, and community groups.

• Mandate: The authority granted to an elected official or government to carry out its policies.

• Political Cleavages: Divisions within a society based on religion, ethnicity, class, or other factors that can lead to political conflict.

• Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of countries through trade, investment, migration, and cultural exchange.

• Protectionist Economic Policies: Government policies designed to protect domestic industries from foreign competition, such as tariffs and quotas.

• Nationalized Industries: Industries that are owned and operated by the government.

• Privatization: The transfer of ownership of state-owned enterprises to private individuals or companies.

• Coalition Government: A government formed by two or more political parties.

• Vote of No Confidence: A parliamentary procedure in which a legislature votes on whether to support the government.

• MP (Member of Parliament): A representative elected to a parliament or legislature.

• Presidential System: A system of government in which the president is both head of state and head of government, and is elected independently of the legislature.

• Divided Government: A situation in which one party controls the executive branch while another party controls one or both houses of the legislative branch.

• Separation of Powers: The division of governmental power among different branches, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

• Term Limit: A legal restriction on the number of terms an elected official can serve.

• Impeachment: A formal process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official.

• Unicameral Legislature: A legislature composed of one chamber or house.

• Judicial Independence: The principle that the judiciary should be free from political influence or control.

• Welfare State: A system in which the government provides a range of social services to its citizens, such as healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits.

• Austerity Measures: Strict economic policies that a government imposes to reduce spending and debt.

• Political Socialization: The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.

• Neoliberalism: An economic ideology that emphasizes free markets, deregulation, and privatization.

• Political Ideology: A set of beliefs and values about the role of government in society.

• Populism: A political ideology that emphasizes the common person and opposes the elite.

• Formal Political Participation: Political participation that is sanctioned by the government, such as voting.

• Informal Political Participation: Political participation that is not sanctioned by the government, such as protests and civil disobedience.

• Runoff Election: A second election held when no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first election.

• Grassroots Movement: A political movement that originates from the people, rather than from established political institutions.

• Sharia Law: Islamic religious law.