AP Comparative Vocabulary Review

Methods by which someone is influenced in developing their viewpoint about government/politics.

Generally accepted view that a government has the right to rule.

Countries with a high standard of living and strong economies.

A division that includes people with differences, strengthening society.

A fact-based statement.

The right to rule based on the personality of an individual.

A group of people with a psychological sense of identity (cultural, geographic, or linguistic).

When groups, such as business and/or labor, work closely with the government in policy-making.

A group of people, organized into government institutions, with sovereignty over territory.

Views about policy-making, the government’s role, the pace of change, and freedom and equality.

Pride in one’s people, and the belief that they have their own unique political destiny.

When a court has the power to overturn a law passed by the legislature.

Policy changes, tax increases & cuts to social services in order to reform a state’s finances.

System of government where elections are not free/fair; civil rights/liberties are restricted.

The relationship between political and economic systems.

Protections individuals have against government action.

A division that strengthens feelings of difference and discrepancy, weakening society.

Granting special favors in exchange for special favors; ‘buying off’ critics.

The poorest countries. The bottom 12. Might be described as “fourth world.”

A rough measure of average income in a country using economic productivity.

An economy centrally planned and controlled by the government.

State that gains a significant portion of its revenue by leasing resources to foreign countries

The right to rule because “it has always been that way.”

The ability of citizens to know what government officials are doing and how money is spent.

The fundamental norms and rules established by administrations over time.

When a change in one variable causes a change in another variable.

System where national government has most power; subnational government powers are protected.

The overthrow and replacement of a regime based upon broad popular support.

Voluntary social organizations outside of government representing various interests.

Process of expanding & intensifying the interconnectedness among states, societies, & economies

Methods for identifying, training, and selecting those who will serve in government.

Procedural democracy, with elections that may be flawed & lacking some civil rights & liberties

System where cases decided by the highest court serve as precedent for future decisions.

Countries attempting to improve their economic status, low avg. income & subpar infrastructure.

The total value of goods and services produced in a country.

Groups and organizations that connect government to its citizens.

Parties are represented in the legislature according to the percentage of votes received.

Theory: the elite win struggles over resources. The proletariat will create a classless state.

The ability to make and enforce public policy without answering to a higher power.

Winner-take-all. Whoever wins the most votes gets the one seat available in an election.

Protections that governments provide for ethnic, religious, gender, or minority groups.

The executive, legislature, judiciary, and bureaucracy.

A statement that includes a value judgement.

A system of law where the rules are written in the form of statutes (legislation).

A society where people’s basic needs are met, enabling focus on broader world issues.

A form of government where religion and politics are intertwined.

The process of decentralizing power from national governments that stops short of federalism.

Reforms that focus on free trade and the privatization of industry.

A two-house legislature

The transition from an authoritarian system to a liberal democracy.

System: all power is held by the central gov't, which may delegate powers to subnational gov't

When many groups are free to participate/compete in the policymaking process.

Economy with little government control, where wages & prices are determined by supply & demand.

A formula that measures economic inequality within a country.

Those who want to restore political, social, and economic institutions that existed in the past

The right to rule based on a widely accepted system of laws and procedures.

A measure of a country’s standard of living, including health and education.

A state where the government provides for people’s basic needs, like medical care and pensions.

System with political competition, economic freedom, civil rights & liberties, & transparency.

An apparent connection between variables.

A system of government with both democratic and authoritarian elements.

A movement driven by the politics of ordinary citizens.

Process by which a policy issue, amendment, or constitution is sent to the voters for approval.

The history, values, beliefs, and traditions that influence political behavior.

The belief that colonization leaves a legacy of poverty and poor governance.