AP Comparative Midterm

causation

A cause and effect relationship in which one variable controls the changes in another variable.

correlation

a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things; not necessarily cause and effect

Empirical Statement

A fact-based statement.

normative statement

statement which describes how the world should be

Gini Index

a mathematical formula that measures the amount of economic inequality in a society

state

An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government with control over its internal and foreign affairs.

regime

(n.) a government in power; a form or system of rule or management; a period of rule

Nation

a politically organized body of people under a single government

Government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

Liberal Democracy

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights.

Illiberal Democracy/Hybrid Regime

A procedural democracy, with elections, but without real competition, and lacking some civil rights and liberties.

Democratization

the process of creating a government elected by the people

democratic consolidation

the process through which, after a transition from authoritarianism, a polity strengthens its democracy

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders

Sovereignty

Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs or other states.

Federal system

A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments

unitary system

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

legitimacy

Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution

political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference

Civil Rights

the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Civil liberties

Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens

Regime change

the replacement of a country's government with another government by facilitating the deposing of its leader or leading political party

Referendum

a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate

Devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

Political culture

an overall set of values widely shared within a society

civil society

Organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests

Economic liberalization

the process of limiting the power of the state over private property and market forces

Austerity

a set of political-economic policies that aim to reduce government budget deficits through spending cuts, tax increases, or a combination of both.

Social movement

a widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order

Interest groups

private organizations whose members share certain views and work to shape public policy

Pluralism

A theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.

Corporatism

A method of co-optation whereby authoritarian systems create or sanction a limited number of organizations to represent the interests of the public and restrict those not set up or approved by the state.

presidential system

a system of government in which the legislative and executive branches operate independently of each other

Parliamentary System

A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president.

semi-presidential system

An executive system that divides power between two strong executives, a president and a prime minister

Impeachment

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the legislature in a presidential system

vote of no confidence

Vote taken by a legislature as to whether its members continue to support the current prime minister. Depending on the country, a vote of no confidence can force the resignation of the prime minister and/or lead to new parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister

the head of an elected government; the principal minister in a parliamentary system

President

Head of the Executive Branch in a presidential system

head of government

The executive role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the state, such as formulating and executing policy

head of state

The executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally.

separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

fusion of powers

an alternative to separation of powers, combining or blending branches of government

divided government

Governance divided between the parties, as when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of the legislature

Politburo Standing Committee

at the very top of the CCP; chosen by the Central Committee to dictate government policies

Expediency Council

Appointed body that mediates between the Majlis and the Guardian Council over legislative disputes

Guardian Council

A committee created in the Iranian constitution to oversee the Majles (the parliament).

Rule of Law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

Rule by law

law isn't fairly distributed, law is used by leaders to fit their needs

judicial review

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

Sharia Law

the system of Islamic law, based on varying degrees of interpretation of the Qu'ran

Common Law

A legal system based on custom and court rulings

code law

a written set of laws that apply to everyone under a government

Bureaucracy

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)

International organizations that operate outside of the formal political arena but that are nevertheless influential in spearheading international initiatives on social, economic, and environmental issues.

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

Post-materialism

Societies in which basic needs are met and citizens can concentrate on higher goals, like the environment

political participation

All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue

Transparency

the working/functioning of government is observable to its citizens (no hidden political decisions)

political/social cleavages

the boundaries between citizens of different religions, ethnic groups, race, and social and economic classes.

autonomy

the ability of a government to rule itself without outside influence

single-member district

electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office

multi-member districts

more than one legislative seat is contested in each district

plurality election

a type of election in which the candidate with the most votes wins the election

majority election

election in which a candidate wins by getting more than one-half of the votes cast

first past the post

Electoral system based on single-member districts in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins.

proportional representation

An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.

Federal Character Principle

Nigerian quota system designed to ease ethnic tension by requiring the president to appoint ministers and civil servants from each Nigerian state

PEMEX

Mexico's powerful state-owned oil monopoly.

Gazprom

Government-controlled Russian natural gas company.

INE

an autonomous, public agency responsible for organizing federal elections in Mexico

INEC (Independent National Election Commission)

The Nigerian governmental agency set up to oversee elections.

catch-all party

a political party whose aim is to gather support from a broad range of citizens through a de-emphasis of ideology and an emphasis on pragmatism, charismatic leadership, and marketing

Green Movement (Iran)

a political movement that arose after the 2009 Iranian presidential election, in which protesters demanded the removal of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from office

Zapatistas

Guerilla movement named in honor of Emiliano Zapata; originated in 1994 in Mexico's southern state of Chiapas; government responded with a combination of repression and negotiation

MEND/Niger Delta Avengers

Militia groups in Nigeria that have engaged in gun-running, sabotaging oil pipelines and kidnapping of oil executives

Boko Haram

a Nigerian militant Islamist group that seeks the imposition of Shariah law throughout all 36 states of Nigeria

MOSOP

Ethnic association founded by Ken Saro-Wiwa to promote interests of ethnic Ogoni in the Niger Delta

Globalization

Actions or processes that involve the entire world and result in making something worldwide in scope.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

a permanent global institution to promote international trade and to settle international trade disputes

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

an international organization that acts as a lender of last resort, providing loans to troubled nations, and also works to promote trade through financial cooperation

World Bank

A specialized agency of the United Nations that makes loans to countries for economic development, trade promotion, and debt consolidation.

economic liberalization

the process of limiting the power of the state over private property and market forces

Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

specific area within a country in which tax incentives and less stringent environmental regulations are implemented to attract foreign business and investment