AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Change In Power And Authority

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Change In Power And Authority, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Comparative Government and Politics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the role of civil society in governance?

Answer: To provide a space for public participation and advocacy. Independent organizations bridge gap between citizens and state.

Flashcard 2: Identify a key feature of a parliamentary system.

Answer: The executive is derived from the legislative branch. Prime minister and cabinet are accountable to parliament.

Flashcard 3: Define devolution.

Answer: The transfer of power from central to regional governments. Creates more autonomous regional governance without full independence.

Flashcard 4: What is a constitutional monarchy?

Answer: A monarchy limited by laws and a constitution. Monarch serves as symbolic head while elected officials govern.

Flashcard 5: What is the role of civil society in governance?

Answer: To provide a space for public participation and advocacy. Independent organizations bridge gap between citizens and state.

Flashcard 6: What is the primary role of a constitution in a state?

Answer: To outline the fundamental principles and laws governing a state. Establishes the framework for how government operates and limits power.

Flashcard 7: Identify a key feature of democratic consolidation.

Answer: The widespread acceptance of democracy as a permanent form of governance. Democracy becomes the 'only game in town' for all political actors.

Flashcard 8: What is a federal system?

Answer: A system where power is divided between national and regional governments. Allows for shared sovereignty between different levels of government.

Flashcard 9: What is a constitutional monarchy?

Answer: A monarchy limited by laws and a constitution. Monarch serves as symbolic head while elected officials govern.

Flashcard 10: What is the meaning of civic nationalism?

Answer: National identity based on shared citizenship and values. Unites diverse groups around common political principles.

Flashcard 11: What is the definition of economic liberalization?

Answer: The removal of state controls over economic activities. Reduces government intervention in markets and trade.

Flashcard 12: Which concept describes the people's right to choose their government?

Answer: Sovereignty. Ultimate authority rests with the people in democratic systems.

Flashcard 13: Which term describes the transition from authoritarian to democratic governance?

Answer: Democratization. Process involves establishing democratic institutions and practices.

Flashcard 14: What is clientelism?

Answer: A system where goods/services are exchanged for political support. Creates personal loyalty networks between patrons and clients.

Flashcard 15: Identify a key feature of democratic consolidation.

Answer: The widespread acceptance of democracy as a permanent form of governance. Democracy becomes the 'only game in town' for all political actors.

Flashcard 16: Identify the primary function of a bureaucracy.

Answer: To implement government policies and decisions. Professional civil service ensures continuity and expertise.

Flashcard 17: What is judicial independence?

Answer: The judiciary's freedom from influence by other branches of government. Essential for impartial interpretation and enforcement of laws.

Flashcard 18: Identify the primary characteristic of a presidential system.

Answer: The executive is separate from the legislature. President serves as both head of state and government.

Flashcard 19: What is the definition of economic liberalization?

Answer: The removal of state controls over economic activities. Reduces government intervention in markets and trade.

Flashcard 20: What is the primary function of a political party?

Answer: To organize and facilitate political representation. Links citizens to government through structured political participation.

Flashcard 21: Define the term 'political pluralism'.

Answer: The existence of multiple political parties and groups. Allows diverse interests to compete in the political arena.

Flashcard 22: What is the main goal of political reform?

Answer: To improve or amend existing political structures. Gradual change within existing system rather than revolution.

Flashcard 23: Define the term 'oligarchy'.

Answer: A form of government where power is held by a small group. Elite control often based on wealth, military, or social status.

Flashcard 24: Identify a major risk associated with rapid democratization.

Answer: Political instability. Too-rapid change can overwhelm new democratic institutions.

Flashcard 25: What is the primary function of a political party?

Answer: To organize and facilitate political representation. Links citizens to government through structured political participation.

Flashcard 26: Identify the main purpose of checks and balances.

Answer: To ensure no branch of government gains too much power. Creates accountability and prevents abuse of power.

Flashcard 27: Which term refers to the peaceful transfer of power between governments?

Answer: Political succession. Ensures continuity and stability in governmental transitions.

Flashcard 28: Identify a key feature of a parliamentary system.

Answer: The executive is derived from the legislative branch. Prime minister and cabinet are accountable to parliament.

Flashcard 29: What is a hybrid regime?

Answer: A government with both democratic and authoritarian elements. Combines competitive elections with authoritarian practices.

Flashcard 30: What does the term 'authoritarian persistence' refer to?

Answer: The continued existence of authoritarian regimes. Authoritarian systems adapt and survive despite democratic pressures.

Flashcard 31: What is the definition of a failed state?

Answer: A state unable to provide basic services or maintain order. Loses monopoly on legitimate use of force within its territory.

Flashcard 32: What is the role of a head of state in parliamentary systems?

Answer: Ceremonial representative of the nation. Provides dignity and continuity while remaining politically neutral.

Flashcard 33: Which term refers to the peaceful transfer of power between governments?

Answer: Political succession. Ensures continuity and stability in governmental transitions.

Flashcard 34: Identify the primary function of a bureaucracy.

Answer: To implement government policies and decisions. Professional civil service ensures continuity and expertise.

Flashcard 35: What is the definition of a political revolution?

Answer: A fundamental change in political power and organization. Involves complete transformation of existing political structures.

Flashcard 36: Which principle ensures that laws apply equally to all citizens?

Answer: Rule of law. Prevents arbitrary government action and protects individual rights.

Flashcard 37: What is the main purpose of political socialization?

Answer: To transmit political culture and values to individuals. Shapes citizen attitudes and expectations about government.

Flashcard 38: Which term refers to a government based on religious law?

Answer: Theocracy. Religious authorities hold supreme political power.

Flashcard 39: What is the definition of a political revolution?

Answer: A fundamental change in political power and organization. Involves complete transformation of existing political structures.

Flashcard 40: Which concept describes the people's right to choose their government?

Answer: Sovereignty. Ultimate authority rests with the people in democratic systems.

Flashcard 41: What is a hybrid regime?

Answer: A government with both democratic and authoritarian elements. Combines competitive elections with authoritarian practices.

Flashcard 42: Which system of government centralizes power in a single authority?

Answer: Unitary system. All power flows from one central government institution.

Flashcard 43: What is the definition of political legitimacy?

Answer: The right to rule, as recognized by citizens and/or the international community. Legitimacy requires consent from those being governed.

Flashcard 44: What is the meaning of civic nationalism?

Answer: National identity based on shared citizenship and values. Unites diverse groups around common political principles.

Flashcard 45: Which term refers to a government based on religious law?

Answer: Theocracy. Religious authorities hold supreme political power.

Flashcard 46: What is judicial independence?

Answer: The judiciary's freedom from influence by other branches of government. Essential for impartial interpretation and enforcement of laws.

Flashcard 47: What does the term 'authoritarian persistence' refer to?

Answer: The continued existence of authoritarian regimes. Authoritarian systems adapt and survive despite democratic pressures.

Flashcard 48: What is the main purpose of political socialization?

Answer: To transmit political culture and values to individuals. Shapes citizen attitudes and expectations about government.

Flashcard 49: Which concept involves the redistribution of power to lower levels of government?

Answer: Decentralization. Brings government closer to citizens and increases participation.

Flashcard 50: Which system of government centralizes power in a single authority?

Answer: Unitary system. All power flows from one central government institution.

Flashcard 51: Define the term 'oligarchy'.

Answer: A form of government where power is held by a small group. Elite control often based on wealth, military, or social status.

Flashcard 52: Identify the main purpose of checks and balances.

Answer: To ensure no branch of government gains too much power. Creates accountability and prevents abuse of power.

Flashcard 53: Identify the primary characteristic of a presidential system.

Answer: The executive is separate from the legislature. President serves as both head of state and government.

Flashcard 54: Which system uses separate branches of government to distribute power?

Answer: Separation of powers. Prevents concentration of authority in any single institution.

Flashcard 55: What is a coup d'état?

Answer: A sudden, illegal overthrow of a government by a small group. Typically involves military or political elites seizing control quickly.

Flashcard 56: What is a semi-presidential system?

Answer: A system with both a president and a prime minister. Divides executive power between elected president and appointed PM.

Flashcard 57: What is the primary role of a constitution in a state?

Answer: To outline the fundamental principles and laws governing a state. Establishes the framework for how government operates and limits power.

Flashcard 58: What is clientelism?

Answer: A system where goods/services are exchanged for political support. Creates personal loyalty networks between patrons and clients.

Flashcard 59: Identify the main characteristic of a totalitarian regime.

Answer: The state's control over all aspects of public and private life. Goes beyond authoritarianism to control all aspects of society.

Flashcard 60: Which principle ensures that laws apply equally to all citizens?

Answer: Rule of law. Prevents arbitrary government action and protects individual rights.

Flashcard 61: What is a coup d'état?

Answer: A sudden, illegal overthrow of a government by a small group. Typically involves military or political elites seizing control quickly.

Flashcard 62: What is the definition of political legitimacy?

Answer: The right to rule, as recognized by citizens and/or the international community. Legitimacy requires consent from those being governed.

Flashcard 63: Which system uses separate branches of government to distribute power?

Answer: Separation of powers. Prevents concentration of authority in any single institution.

Flashcard 64: Which term describes the transition from authoritarian to democratic governance?

Answer: Democratization. Process involves establishing democratic institutions and practices.

Flashcard 65: Identify the main characteristic of a totalitarian regime.

Answer: The state's control over all aspects of public and private life. Goes beyond authoritarianism to control all aspects of society.

Flashcard 66: What is an authoritarian regime?

Answer: A government characterized by limited political freedoms. Restricts opposition and civil liberties while maintaining some legitimacy.

Flashcard 67: What is a federal system?

Answer: A system where power is divided between national and regional governments. Allows for shared sovereignty between different levels of government.

Flashcard 68: Define devolution.

Answer: The transfer of power from central to regional governments. Creates more autonomous regional governance without full independence.

Flashcard 69: What is an authoritarian regime?

Answer: A government characterized by limited political freedoms. Restricts opposition and civil liberties while maintaining some legitimacy.

Flashcard 70: What is the role of a head of state in parliamentary systems?

Answer: Ceremonial representative of the nation. Provides dignity and continuity while remaining politically neutral.

Flashcard 71: Which concept involves the redistribution of power to lower levels of government?

Answer: Decentralization. Brings government closer to citizens and increases participation.

Flashcard 72: What is the main goal of political reform?

Answer: To improve or amend existing political structures. Gradual change within existing system rather than revolution.

Flashcard 73: What is the definition of a failed state?

Answer: A state unable to provide basic services or maintain order. Loses monopoly on legitimate use of force within its territory.

Flashcard 74: Identify a major risk associated with rapid democratization.

Answer: Political instability. Too-rapid change can overwhelm new democratic institutions.

Flashcard 75: Define the term 'political pluralism'.

Answer: The existence of multiple political parties and groups. Allows diverse interests to compete in the political arena.