Copy_of_AP_Comp_Gov_Mid__Year_Review_2025

AP Comp Gov Midyear Review

Page 1

State

• Causation vs Correlation: Understanding the difference in how events are related.

• Empirical Statements vs Normative Statements:

  • Empirical: Based on observation or experience.

  • Normative: Based on opinions or beliefs about what ought to be.

• Characteristics of a State:

  • Defined territory, permanent population, government, ability to enter relations with other states.

  • Difference between State, Regime, and Government:

    • State: enduring institutions and people.

    • Regime: rules and norms of political power.

    • Government: specific leaders and organizations in power.

• Institutions: Established laws, practices, and organizations.

  • Formal vs Informal vs Linkage Institutions:

    • Formal: official organizations (e.g., legislature).

    • Informal: unwritten practices (e.g., cultural norms).

    • Linkage: connect citizens to the government (e.g., political parties).

• Legitimacy: Acceptance of authority; types include:

  • Charismatic: based on leader's appeal.

  • Rational-legal: established laws and procedures.

  • Traditional: long-established customs.

• Types of States:

  • Federal: Power is divided between central and regional authorities.

  • Unitary: Centralized government authority.

  • Confederal: Loose alliance of states.

    • Note: A unitary state with devolution is similar to federalism, though devolved power can be revoked.

Society

• Ethnicity vs Nationality:

  • Ethnicity: shared cultural traits.

  • Nationality: a group with a common identity and shared history.

• Nation: A group of people with a common identity, typically sharing language, culture, or history.

• Political Socialization: The process by which individuals learn and develop political beliefs.

• Political Efficacy: Belief that one's participation can influence political processes.

• Political Ideologies:

  • Liberalism, Individualism, Fascism, Communism, Populism.

• Difference between Revolution and Coup d’Etat:

  • Revolution: large-scale change in political and social structure.

  • Coup: a small group unlawfully seizing power.

Elections

• Plurality vs Majority:

  • Plurality: most votes but not majority.

  • Majority: more than half of the votes.

• Referendum: Direct vote by electorate on specific policy or law.

• Proportional Representation vs Single Member District:

  • Proportional: parties gain seats in proportion to votes.

  • Single Member District: one representative per district; often leads to a two-party system.

Democracy

• Types of Democracy:

  • Parliamentary: Executive derived from legislature.

    • Leader: Prime Minister; elections held via legislature.

  • Presidential: Separate election for executive.

    • Leader: President; distinct from legislature.

  • Semi-Presidential: Combines elements of both systems.

• Head of State vs Head of Government:

  • Head of State: ceremonial role.

  • Head of Government: executive functions.

• Definitions of Democracy Types:

  • Consolidated, transitional, modern, post-modern, procedural, substantive.

• Common Characteristics of Democracy:

  • Free elections, civil rights, rule of law.

• Civil Society: Voluntary organizations promoting interests or values; strengthens democracy through pluralism and corporatism.

• Interest Groups: Organizations aimed at influencing policy as linkage institutions.

• Rule BY Law vs Rule OF Law:

  • Rule BY Law: law is a tool of governance.

  • Rule OF Law: law applies equally to all.

Page 2

Authoritarian Systems

• Key Characteristics:

  • Power held by a select few rather than by the populace.

• Types of Authoritarian Regimes:

  • Theocracy, one-party systems, military governments, illiberal democracies.

  • Managed Democracy: Elections exist but are controlled.

Political-Economic Systems

• Neoliberalization: Economic reform aiming for free markets.

  • Key concepts: privatization, austerity, foreign direct investment.

• Protectionism: Economic policy of restraining trade.

  • Tools: tariffs, quotas, subsidies, nationalization.

• Processes of Economic Development:

  • Import Substitution Industrialization, Structural Adjustment Programs, Foreign Direct Investment.

• Economic Indicators:

  • GDP: total value of goods produced.

  • GDP per capita: GDP divided by population.

  • Gini Index: measures income inequality.

  • HDI: Human Development Index evaluating health, education, and income.

• Country Classifications:

  • Characteristics of developed, middle income, and least developed countries.

• International Financial Institutions:

  • Differences between IMF, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

• Globalization: The process by which businesses develop international influence.

  • Common Results: increased interconnectedness, cultural exchange.

• Supranational Organizations: Multinational organizations for collective governance; may face opposition due to loss of sovereignty.

• Resource Curse: Economic paradox where countries rich in resources experience less economic growth.

  • Escape routes: diversification, sustainable practices.

• Economic Liberalization: Reduced government intervention in the economy.

China

• CCP Priorities: Shifted from Mao's focus on ideology to Deng's economic reforms and Xi's nationalistic focus.

• State Type in China: Unitary state.

• Head of State: Xi Jinping; holds significant power and legitimacy through party alignment.

• Ethnic Minorities: Viewed through a lens of assimilation and control.

  • Some protections exist for certain groups.

• Century of Humiliation: Historical context driving CCP's policies and nationalism.

• Political Culture: Collectivism, Confucianism influences.

• Role of CCP Membership: Vital for political and social mobility.

• Women in Society: Progress in some areas, but still faced with systemic gender issues.

• Guanxi: The practice of building networks for personal gain.

• Urban-Rural Cleavages: Economic disparities impacting policy and stability.

• 1 Child Policy: Long-term demographic impacts on society.

• CCP Media Control: Extensive censorship; significant influence on public perception.

• Civil Society in China: Limited due to state control.

• Economic Restructuring: Deng’s policies significantly opened China’s economy.

Page 3

Government Structure

• Governing Dynamics: Interactions between the CCP and government; central control.

• National People's Congress: Legislative body with limited power; symbolic representation.

• Politburo and Standing Committee: Key decision-making bodies in the CCP.

• People’s Liberation Army (PLA): Serves the CCP leadership; loyalty to party, not the state.

• Judiciary Role: Limited independence; serves the state's interests.

Russia

• Asymmetric Federalism: Unequal distribution of power among regions, aims to accommodate diverse groups.

• Historical Events Impact: Mongol invasion, Tsarist rule, and Communism fostered distrust and a preference for a strong state.

• Russian Political Culture Components:

  • Statism, skepticism towards politicians, East-West divisions.

• Soviet Era Politics: Centralized control, economic planning.

• Reforms Leading to Soviet Collapse: Glasnost, perestroika, gradual democratization.

• 1993 Constitution: Established through a referendum promoting presidential power.

• 1990s Chaos: Economic shock therapy failed; widespread poverty and political instability.

• Oligarchs’ Rise: Capitalists emerging post-Soviet; lost power under Putin's reforms.

• Vladimir Putin's Ascendance: Gained power in 1999; focused on stability and control.

• Putin’s Terms Themes:

  • 2000-04: Stability.

  • 2004-08: Economic growth.

  • 2012-16: International power.

• Putin’s Seven Reforms: Increasing centralization and reducing regional autonomy.

  • E.g., removal and appointment of governors.

Chechnya

• Chechnya Conflict: Historical and ongoing violence; significant terrorist attacks led to strict measures.

• Major Religion: Predominantly Russian Orthodox with rising Islamic influence in Chechnya.

• Religious Usage in Politics: Putin leverages religion for consolidation; promotes nationalist narratives.

• Civil Society Participation: Limited engagement due to repression; significant government restrictions on organizations.

• Illiberal Democracy Definition: Elections exist but civil liberties are constrained.

• Russian Political Parties:

  • United Russia: Dominant due to state support.

  • CPRF and LDPR: Significant opposition parties.

• Alexey Navalny: Opposition leader, receives support from abroad; imprisoned for dissent.

• Media Control: Transition from chaotic freedom in the 90s to state-controlled narrative; War in Ukraine escalated censorship.

• Government Duties: Structure and functions of the presidency and prime minister; current PM role.

• Legislative Structure: Federal Assembly with Duma (stronger) and Federation Council (weaker).

• Judicial System: Differences between constitutional and supreme courts concerning judicial review.

• 2011-2012 Protests: Major public backlash against Putin; reforms followed as a response to dissent.

• Demographic Trends: Implications for future political and economic stability.