1. Government - The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. It is comprised of the officials and authorities that govern a nation, state, or community.

2. Politics - The activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. It includes making decisions that apply to members of a group and negotiating with other political subjects.

3. Comparative Politics - A subfield of political science that involves comparing political systems, institutions, processes, and policies of different countries to understand patterns, causes, and effects.

4. Causation - A relationship where one event causes another event to occur. In comparative politics, causation helps identify why certain political outcomes happen based on specific factors or actions.

5. Correlation - A statistical measure that indicates the extent to which two or more variables fluctuate together. A correlation does not necessarily imply causation.

6. Empirical Statement - A statement based on observed and measurable evidence. It refers to factual statements and data which can be verified through experimentation or observation.

7. Normative Statement - A statement that expresses a value judgment or opinion, discussing what should be rather than what is. It is not empirically verifiable.

8. Quantitative Data - Data that can be quantified and verified, and is amenable to statistical manipulation. It includes numerical data used to measure and describe phenomena.

9. Qualitative Data - Non-numerical data used to capture concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can include case studies, interviews, or observational records.

10. Human Development Index (HDI) - A composite index measuring average achievement in three basic aspects of human development: life expectancy, education, and per capita income.

11. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - The total monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period.

    - Per Capita - GDP per person in the population, giving a rough measure of economic well-being.

    - Growth Rate - The annual rate at which a country’s GDP increases, indicating how fast the economy is growing.

12. Gini Index - A measure of statistical dispersion intended to represent the income or wealth distribution of a nation's residents, and is the most commonly used measure of inequality between gender.

13. Freedom House - An organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom, and human rights. It is known for its annual reports ranking countries on levels of civil liberties and political rights.

14. Democratic Consolidation - The process by which a new democracy matures, in a way that means it is unlikely to revert to authoritarianism without an external shock.

15. Corruption - The abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It can be grand, petty, or political, depending on the amounts of money lost and the sector where it occurs.

16. Corruption Perceptions Index - An index published annually by Transparency International, ranking countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys.

17. Strong State - A state characterized by the ability to carry out the basic tasks of defending themselves against external and internal rivals, and enforcing laws and policies.

18. Failed State - A state whose political or economic system has become so weak that the government is no longer in control, often leading to anarchy and violence.

19. Fragile State Index - An annual report published by the Fund for Peace that assesses the vulnerability of a state based on social, economic, and political indicators.