AP Comparative Government and Politics: Ultimate Guide Notes

Unit 1: Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments

1.1: The Practice of Political Scientists

Key Terms

• Empirical Data: Observation-based information.
• Normative Data: Represents typical behavior within a population.
• Quantitative Analysis: Uses mathematical methods for data analysis.
• Qualitative Analysis: Uses interviews and surveys for pattern analysis.
• Correlation: Measures relationship between two variables.
• Causation: One variable causes change in another.
• Human Development Index (HDI): Ranks countries based on life expectancy, education, and income indicators.
• Gini Index: Measures income inequality.
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Value of all goods/services produced within a country.
• Freedom House: Research on democracy and human rights.
• Transparency International: Monitors political corruption.
• Failed States Index: Ranks countries on conflict vulnerability.

Core Course Countries

• United Kingdom: Parliamentary system with a constitutional monarchy.
• Russia: Federal semi-presidential republic with centralized government.
• Iran: Islamic republic with a theocracy.
• Mexico: Federal presidential representative democratic republic.
• China: Single-party socialist republic.
• Nigeria: Federal presidential representative democratic republic.

Practice of Political Scientists

• Use diverse methods to gather and analyze political data (Surveys, Interviews, Case Studies, Quantitative Analysis).
• Study political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and public policy.

1.2: Defining Political Institutions

Key Terms

• Political Systems: Institutions and laws governing a country.
• States: Defined territory with a government and population.
• Regime: Rules governing a political system.
• Government: Group responsible for law-making and enforcement.
• Nation: Group sharing common culture or identity.

Characteristics of Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes

• Democracy: Power by the people, protection of rights, rule of law.
• Authoritarianism: Power by leaders/groups, limited freedoms.

Types of Regimes

• Monarchies, Military Juntas, Single-Party States, Personalist Regimes, Theocracies, Hybrid Regimes

1.4: Democratization

• Democratization: Transition from authoritarian to democratic governance.
• Characteristics of Democracy: Popular sovereignty, free elections, rule of law.
• Challenges: Elite resistance, ethnic divisions, weak institutions.

1.5: Sources of Power and Authority

Sources of Power in Different Countries

• United Kingdom: Shift from monarchy to elected government.
• Russia: Centralized power in the presidency.
• China: Power held by the Communist Party.
• Iran: Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority.
• Mexico and Nigeria: Power held by the President.

1.6: Federal and Unitary Systems

Key Differences

• Federal System: Power shared between central and regional governments (e.g., USA, Canada).
• Unitary System: Centralized power in national government (e.g., France, UK).

1.7: Political Legitimacy

• Legitimacy: Acceptance of the government's authority.
• Traditional, Charismatic, and Rational-Legal Legitimacy

1.8: Sustaining Legitimacy

• Good Governance, Economic Development, Political Participation, Communication

1.9: Political Stability

• Importance: Crucial for economic growth and social order.
• Factors Affecting Stability: Economic, social, and environmental factors.

Unit 2: Political Institutions

2.1: Comparing Government Systems

• Parliamentary, Presidential, Semi-Presidential Systems
• Differences in Executive Power and Responsibility

2.2: Executive Systems

• Executive systems: Responsible for planning, decision-making, goal-directed behavior.
• Components: Working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, planning.

2.3: Executive Term Limits

• Purpose: Prevent power concentration, promote democracy.
• Advantages and Disadvantages

2.4: Legislative Systems

• Types: Unicameral, Bicameral, Federal, Unitary.
• Functions: Lawmaking, representation, oversight, budget control.

2.5: Independent Legislatures

• Importance of Independence: Prevents external influence, ensures accountability.

2.6: Judicial Systems

• Types: Common, Civil, Islamic, Customary, Mixed Law Systems.
• Roles of Judges and Rights of Defendants

2.7: Independent Judiciaries

• Importance: Ensures rule of law, protects individual rights.
• Comparison of Judiciary Independence in Core Countries

Unit 3: Political Culture and Participation

3.1: Civil Society

• Role: Promotes democracy, advocacy, service delivery, capacity building.

3.2: Political Culture

• Types: Parochial, Subject, Participant
• Influence of Demographics on Political Beliefs

3.3: Political Ideologies

• Types: Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Communism, Fascism.

3.4: Political Beliefs and Values

• Influence Factors: Family, education, media, economic status.

3.5: Nature and Role of Political Participation

• Importance: Representation, accountability, legitimacy, social change.
• Impact of Violent Political Behaviours

3.6: Forces that Impact Political Participation

• Influencing Factors: Socioeconomic status, age, race, gender, political environment.

3.7: Civil Rights and Liberties

• Distinction Between Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

3.8: Political and Social Cleavages

• Types: Left-Right, Nationalism-Internationalism, Urban-Rural.

3.9: Challenges of Cleavages

• Political and Social Impact

Unit 4: Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations

4.1: Electoral Systems and Rules

• Types: First-Past-The-Post, Proportional Representation, Mixed-Member Proportional.

4.2: Objectives of Election Rules

• Fairness, Transparency, Accountability, Integrity, Participation

4.3: Political Party Systems

• Types: One-party, Two-party, Multi-party, Dominant-party systems.

4.4: Role of Political Party Systems

• Functions: Representation, electioneering, policy-making, accountability, stability.

4.5: Impact of Social Movements and Interest Groups

• Influence on Governments: Impact on policy decisions and elections.

4.6: Pluralist and Corporatist Interests

• Approaches to Interest Group Politics

Unit 5: Political and Economic Changes and Development

5.1: Impact of Global Economic and Technological Forces

• Globalization and Economic Liberalization

5.2: Political Responses to Global Market Forces

• Protectionism, Deregulation, Fiscal and Monetary Policies, International Cooperation

5.3: Challenges from Globalization

• Economic, Social, Environmental, and Political Challenges

5.4: Policies and Economic Liberalization

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Economic Liberalization

5.5: International and Supranational Organizations

• Examples and Roles of Organizations

5.7: Impact of Industrialization and Economic Development

• Solutions to Negative Impacts

5.8: Causes and Effects of Demographic Change

• Factors Influencing Demographics

5.9: Impact of Natural Resources

• Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts