Exam (elaborations)
AP Comparative Government & Politics.
- Course
- Institution
AP Comparative Government & Politics.
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
denicetho
Content preview
AP Comparative Government & Politicspolitical science - ANS-study of political systems and political behavior
comparative politics - ANS-sub-discipline of political science; compare governmental
systems, legal, and political party systems,, constitutions,, economies,, and civil
societies; in order to understand approaches to problems and see what works best
empirical/positive questions - ANS-"factual" - answer tells how things really are
normative questions - ANS-subjective - answer tells how things "should" be; subject to
debate!
informal politics - ANS-equally important as formal, codified structures; analysis of
informal ways people organize societies and make collective decisions
government - ANS-*the people in charge* of a territory at a given time OR (usually when
capitalized) used also to refer to prime minister+cabinet
regime - ANS-*system and rules and laws* in place in a particular territory at a particular
time
politics - ANS-the process of making collective decisions - refers to formal gov/political
structures, but also to informal interactions
power - ANS-ability to make others do something they might not otherwise have done
authority - ANS-like power, but with a claim (or more) to legitimacy
legitimacy - ANS-generally held belief, within a society, that a gov. has right to rule
(exercise power)
nation - ANS-large group of people - united identity - share culture, history, strong ties to
a particular territory
(often have or desire government of their own, in nation-state)
nationalism - ANS-the desire for a nation-state, either from a nation split between
multiple states who want to consolidate into one (think Kurds) or from a nation within a
state that wants to be independent (think Scots)
,state - ANS-the territory under the control of a government - control exercised by some
degree of force
nation-state - ANS-nation which has its own government
market - ANS-structure that allows buyers+sellers to exchange goods, services,
information - must have competition, so two people involved in trade != a market
civil society - ANS-voluntary organizations that form basics of a functioning society
(social, religious organizations; charities; civic groups; NOT structures of the state or
economic structures).
social capital - ANS-(of a society) social norms like belief in rule of law, respect for
others, reliable performance of duties. necessary for a civil society to exist successfully.
sovereignty - ANS-independent legal authority over a particular territory, +legitimate
power to rule and make laws there///based on right to self-determination of the people
who live there though///kinda fuzzy though because it's not all-or-nothing///national pride
often at stake///MANY WARS FOUGHT ABOUT THIS
cleavages - ANS-division in a society that causes people in that society to support
different things
identity politics - ANS-(tied to cleavages) people often act on the fact that they are part
of certain groups (that they IDENTIFY with) rather than their own beliefs
coinciding cleavages - ANS-when two cleavages divide people into the same groups
(that is - the wealthy represent one side of a different cleavage and the poor another, for
example)
implications of coinciding cleavages: - ANS-common for successful political parties to
arise around a single cleavage (religion), so societies like this are generally very
divided, w unstable governments
cross-cutting cleavages - ANS-cleavages divide population in different ways - seen to
provide stability because no party is able to succeed based on a single cleavage
social movements, interest groups - ANS-structures that arise when a segment of a
society hAs oPinIonS about a specific cause
,political orientation - ANS-ideas one holds about politics - NOT interchangeable w
ideology! this is how you feel ABOUT politics, not political ideas...
political culture - ANS-way a nation or other group of people approaches issues of
government and politics
political socialization - ANS-process by which people get their ideas about politics
(political orientation) and about government
interesting to compare the agents of this in different societies - reveals insights about
nature of variation in political orientation
political participation - ANS-means used be people to express opinions/influence
political events+government actions
voter turnout - ANS-# of eligible voters who actually vote
careful - although this is a helpful number sometimes, can be coerced!
economic development - ANS-measure of social and economic progress of countries -
can be indicated by increase in use of new technologies, living standards, educational
levels, health care, etc
GDP - ANS-gross domestic product, indicates economic growth of a state - can be an
indication of economic development but not necessarily
political ideology - ANS-set of ethical principles that helps provide an outline of proper
ordering of society; explains how society should work (NORMATIVE)
often significant to forming a political party, but not only possible basis for a party
ideology: communism - ANS-advocates a political system in which all property is held in
common, usually by the state
ideology: socialism - ANS-advocates a political system in which the means of
production and distribution are held in common, usually by the state
ideology: liberalism - ANS-advocates a political system in which the individual is
autonomous, civil liberties are respected, rapid progress is encouraged
ideology: conservatism - ANS-advocates a political system in which traditional
institutions are respected and maintained, while allowing for slow and minimal change
, ideology: fascism - ANS-advocates a political system in which the nation or a race is
seen as most important, not the individual or even the people as a collective
DEMOCRACY - ANS-IS NOT AN IDEOLOGY BUT AN IDEAL
political parties - ANS-organizations created to get and maintain power, usually within a
government; based on political ideology, or cleavages, or political orientation
functions of political parties - ANS-articulating ideology
recruiting leaders
staffing bureaucracy
making policy happen
connecting people to government
mobilizing citizens
aggregating interests
engaging in political socialization, educating public
types of political party systems - ANS-single-party
two-party
multiparty
single-party systems - ANS-one party holds all (or almost all) power
can be the effect of:
revolution or coup installs single party (china, ussr)
charismatic leader (hitler, mussolini)
constitutional requirements of single party (chinese constitution)
external threat, leads citizens to rally around one party/leader
fragmentation that is very severe and creates power vacuum (nigeria coups)
economic crisis
two-party systems - ANS-common feature of substantive democracies
create need for "big tent" parties - ones supported by broad coalitions of citizens, with
diversity in the party
the electoral system in place is what moves society towards this model
multiparty systems - ANS->2 parties *actually* compete for power in political structure
just bc more than two parties exist doesn't make this system though
often no need for "big tent" parties
the electoral system in place is what moves society towards this model
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller denicetho. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $9.68. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
77333 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now