1. AP Comparative Government
Exam Review 2016
Mrs. Michelle Sammartino, Nova High School

2. Part One: Vocabulary to Know

3. States and Nations
State-political institutions with a monopoly of force over territory
Nation-a psychological sense of identity based on shared ethnicity, language, history or culture

4. Institutions
Formal policymakers within the government, including the executive, legislature, judiciary and bureaucracy

5. Regimes and Hybrid Regimes
Regime-a long-lasting government in which the system has not changed even though there have been different leaders.
Hybrid regime-a government with both authoritarian and democratic elements.
Also known as illiberal regime, structure of democracy but does not protect civil liberties i.e. Apartheid regime in S. Africa (1948-’94)

6. Legitimacy
Legitimacy is the people’s belief that the government has the right to rule
Rational/legal-based on a fair and understandable system of laws that are followed and apply to everyone
Traditional-because it has always been that way
Charismatic-based on a ruler’s engaging personality

7. Globalization and Sovereignty
Globalization is the increasing interconnectedness of the world.
Sovereignty is the ability of a government to rule without internal or external influence.

8. Total Goods/Population
Measurements
Gini Index
0 = perfect equality
100 = perfect inequality
United Kingdom 36
Russia
39.9
United States
40.8
Iran 43
Nigeria
43.7
Mexico
46.1
China
46.9
HDI
United States
.937
United Kingdom
.875
Mexico
.775
Iran
.742
China
.690
Russia
.550
Nigeria
.153
GDP Per Capita
Total Goods/Population
United States
$49,965
United Kingdom
$36,600
Russia
$17,500
Mexico
$15,400
Iran
$13,000
China
$9,000
Nigeria
$2,600
HDI-Human Development Index measures life expectancy, birth and death rates, education, quality of life.
GDP-the total value of goods and services produced in a country
GDP per capita-GDP divided by the population
Gini Index-measures income inequality

9. Development
Developed countries have high GDP per capita and HDI rankings; service-based economies.
Developing countries are emerging economies; based on production.
Underdeveloped countries have low GDP per capita and HDI rankings; agricultural.
Least Developed-the poorest of the poor

10. First World Problems

11. Economics
Political Economy is the relationship between government policies and the economy.
Economic liberalization is the move to a free market by reducing tariffs, trade barriers, and government control over the economy.

12. Economic Systems
Market economies set wages, production, and prices based on supply and demand with less government interference.
In command economies, the government makes decisions regarding wages, prices, and production, and private property is limited.

13. Communism and Welfare States
Communism is a system of government based on the writings of Karl Marx in which the stated goal is economic equality.
In a welfare state, the government provides support to citizens, such as unemployment benefits and health care.

14. Rentier States
States that derive a significant portion of their revenues from rent (such as renting land to oil companies).
Iran, Nigeria & Russia

15. Dependency Theory
The idea that colonial rule left a legacy of political and economic dependence making it difficult for former colonies to improve their economies and democratize.

16. Structural Adjustment
Structural adjustment programs require countries to increase taxes and cut spending (austerity measures) to improve budgets.

17. Post-Materialism
Societies in which basic needs are met and citizens can concentrate on higher goals, like the environment

18. Democratization
The transition from an authoritarian state to an illiberal democracy to a liberal democracy

19. Authoritarian State
A government where elections are not free and fair and civil rights and liberties are lacking

20. Illiberal/Procedural Democracy
A government with elections that are not completely free and fair or lacking some civil rights and liberties

21. Liberal/Substantive Democracy
A government with free and fair elections and civil rights and liberties

22. Transparency
The ability of citizens to see what the government is doing

23. Civil Rights and Liberties
Civil rights are protections granted by the government to prevent discrimination against groups, like ethnic or religious minorities and women.
Civil liberties protect individuals from government infringement, like free speech.

24. Systems of Government
In a Unitary System, all power is held by the central government and state power is not protected.
In a Federal System, power is shared between the national and state government and some state power is protected.
Devolution occurs when the national government grants more power to states.

25. Legislatures
A bicameral legislature has two chambers or houses, and a unicameral legislature has one.
FPTP/SMD awards one seat to the candidate with the most votes in a district.
Proportional Representation awards sets to political parties based on the percentage of votes received; there may be a threshold for getting seats.

26. Referendum
A measure sent by the legislature to the citizens for approval

27. The Judiciary
In common law systems, court decisions are written down and serve as precedent for future cases.
Code law systems are based on rules written by the legislature.
Judicial review is the ability of a Supreme Court to overturn a law or executive action as unconstitutional.

28. Theocracy
A state led by religious rulers, like Iran

29. Revolutions and Coups
A revolution is an overthrow of the government based on broad popular support.
A coup is a change in the leader brought about by a small group, often a military leader.

30. Nationalism
The belief that a group of people has its own unique destiny, often including a desire for a separate state

31. Ideology and Socialization
Political ideology is an individual’s belief system about the role of government.
Political socialization is the process through which an individual acquires his or her political beliefs and behaviors.
Political culture is the shared beliefs of a group of people.

32. Political Ideologies
Political Right favors the status quo/conservative view.
Political Left favors change. They usually favor social programs.
Reactionaries are extreme and want to go back to the past.
Liberalism-favor freedom in the economy and in civil rights and liberties

33. Corporatism
Cooptation is when the government buys off its critics, as seen in communist states
Corporatism is when large businesses and labor unions are brought into the policymaking process, as seen in illiberal democracies. This limits pluralism because small actors are left out.
Pluralism is when many groups compete in policymaking, as seen in consolidated democracies.

34. Political Recruitment
The process for selecting current and potential leaders, including formal and informal power structures

35. Citizen Involvement
Civil Society consists of voluntary associations outside of government control which strengthen society.
Grassroots movements occur when ordinary citizens push for reform.

36. Cleavages A political cleavage is a division over a policy issue.
Cross cutting cleavages bring different kinds of groups together, strengthening society.
Coinciding cleavages exacerbate feeling of difference, weakening society.

37. Causation and Correlation
Causation is when a change in one variable precipitates a change in another variable.
Correlation is an apparent connection between variables.
Causation and correlation may be positive (in the same direction) or negative (in opposite directions).

38. Normative and Empirical Statement
An empirical statement is a verifiable fact.
A normative statement is a judgment about what should be.

39. Big Picture Country Comparisons
Part Two:
Big Picture Country Comparisons

40. Unitary or Federal governments?
supreme central government
no guarantee of shared powers with subnational governments
Examples
China
Iran
Great Britain moving toward federalism but still unitary
Federal (uses federalism)
Shared power between national and subnational governments
The term does NOT mean strong national government
Examples
Russia
Mexico
Nigeria
United States

41. Comparing Executives: Heads of State and Heads of Government
Country
Title(s)
How Chosen
Term
Powers
United Kingdom of Great Britain (UK)
Monarch
Prime Minister
Hereditary
Elected by majority party of Parliament
Life
None; but must be approved every 5 years by maj party
Minimal
To form “her Majesty’s government”
Russia
President
Direct national election simple majority
Appointed by President & confirmed by Duma
4 years with a 2 consecutive term limit
None, but can be removed by President or Duma no confidence vote
Commander-in-Chief; signs/vetos bills; may dissolve Duma & fire Governors
Manages legislation in Duma; oversees Cabinet/depts

42. Comparing Executives: Heads of State and Heads of Government
Country
Title(s)
How Chosen
Term
Powers
China
President
Prime Minister a.k.a.
Premier
By top leaders in CCP & elected by Natl People’s Congress (NPC)
By top leaders in CCP; appointed by President & confirmed by NPC
5 years; 2 term limit
none
Any foreign and domestic policymaking
Oversees running of the huge govt bureaucracy
Nigeria
Similar to the United States and Mexico, the President is both Head of State and Head of Government
Direct popular national elections with a minimum threshold of 25% of votes in at least 2/3 of Nigerian states
4 years; 2 term limit
Directs all foreign and domestic policymaking

43. Comparing Executives: Heads of State and Heads of Government
Country
Title(s)
How Chosen
Term
Powers
Mexico
Similar to the United States and Nigeria, the President is both Head of State and Head of Government
Direct national election; no majority required
Six years (sexenio); one term only
Directs all foreign and domestic policymaking
Iran
Supreme Leader
President
Chosen by the Assembly of Religious Experts; must be Shi’ite cleric
Direct national election; must be Shi’ite
None; may be replaced by Assembly (never used)
4 years; 2 term limit
More extensive powers, including commander-in-chief and may dismiss the President.
Appoints governors & cabinet; econ policymaking

44. Comparing Legislatures
UNICAMERAL
IRAN: Majles
SMD
National direct elections
4 year terms
Must be Muslim except for 5 seats reserved for minorities
Chooses 6 members of Guardian Council
All laws must be approved by Guardian Council
CHINA: National People’s Congress
Rubber stamp body meets 2 weeks annually
Candidates approved by CCP
5 year terms
Formal powers include approval of laws submitted by CCP, appointment of President VP, and Premier

45. Comparing Legislatures
BICAMERAL
NIGERIA:
National Assembly
Senate
4 year term
3 Senators per state
FPTP
House of Representatives
SMD
4 year terms
MEXICO: Congress
Mixed SMD & PR
Senate—6 year term; 2 term limit (12 yrs)
Senate candidates run in pairs
Party with highest % popular vote receives state’s 2 seats; second place party awarded the 3rd seat
Chamber of Deputies—3 year term; 4 term limit (12 yrs)
300 SMD seats
200 PR seats chosen by party

46. Comparing Legislatures
BICAMERAL
RUSSIA:
Federal Assembly
Federation Council
4 year term
Appointed by leaders of 83 subnational govts
Can veto or delay bills
Duma
PR national elections
7% threshold required
Can override veto w/ 2/3
United Kingdom: Parliament
House of Lords
Appointed and unpaid
Can delay bills
House of Commons
SMD
Irregular elections—5 year term max before reelection must take place
Vote of no confidence is rare

47. Comparing Political PartiesUK
Two party system until recently
Now considered multiparty system
Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National, Labour and others
Iran
Multiparty
Democratic theocracy: candidates must be approved by Guardian Council
2016 Majiles elections resulted in many reform candidates winning
Parties are categorized as conservative or reformist
Mexico
One party-dominant (PRI) until 2000
Now a multiparty system
PRI (Pena Nieto), PAN, and PRD
Nigeria
Multiparty system
All Progressives Congress (Buhari), People’s Democratic Party (Jonathan),, Labour and others
Party names change frequently & are candidate-centered

48. Comparing Political Parties
China
One party system
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) approves all candidates except at the village level elections
Russia
Multiparty system
United Russia (Putin), Liberal Democrats (a misnomer), A Just Russia, and others
Party names change frequently & are candidate-centered

49. AP Comparative Exam Tips
Part Three:
AP Comparative Exam Tips

50. The Exam: Thursday, May 12, 2016 Multiple-Choice Questions
45 minutes
Free Response Questions
5 short-answer concepts
Define or describe a term
Provide an example
One conceptual analysis
Explain a concept
Apply how it is used in one or two countries
Two country context
Often comparing two countries

51. Multiple-choice tips
There is no penalty for guessing—answer all the questions
Don’t change your mind (usually)
Circle & pay attention to words “except,” “best,” “many,” and “least” in the question
Cross out obviously incorrect choices
If the question is taking a long time to answer, bubble in your best guess, circle it in the booklet and go back later
Watch the clock

52. Free Response Tips
Restate the question or paraphrase when answering the 5 short answer questions
Do the easier questions first
Look for the verbs and do what they ask you to do
Realize that every verb answered is an additional point on the exam. Most used verbs are
Identify
Define
Describe*
Explain*
Always “close the loop” in your sentences by answering “how?” or “why?” something occurs*

53. GOOD LUCK on the AP EXAM
Powerpoints for the countries, concepts, and the exam review are on
my website:
sites.google.com/site/michellesammartino