AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Sustaining Legitimacy

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Sustaining Legitimacy, 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: How does social justice affect legitimacy?

Answer: Promotes equity and fairness. Fair treatment of all citizens strengthens support for government.

Flashcard 2: Name a system that can enhance legitimacy through representation.

Answer: Parliamentary system. Representatives chosen by citizens create democratic accountability.

Flashcard 3: What can regular, transparent elections do for legitimacy?

Answer: Reinforce legitimacy. They demonstrate democratic responsiveness and peaceful power transfers.

Flashcard 4: Which term describes the people's acceptance of a government's right to rule?

Answer: Legitimacy. This concept captures public acceptance of governmental authority and power.

Flashcard 5: What is rational-legal legitimacy based on?

Answer: Established laws and procedures. Authority derives from formal rules and institutional frameworks.

Flashcard 6: How can national crises affect legitimacy?

Answer: May strengthen or weaken legitimacy. Effective crisis management can enhance or damage public trust.

Flashcard 7: What can regular, transparent elections do for legitimacy?

Answer: Reinforce legitimacy. They demonstrate democratic responsiveness and peaceful power transfers.

Flashcard 8: Identify a critical component of maintaining legitimacy in democracies.

Answer: Accountability. Government responsibility to citizens ensures responsive governance.

Flashcard 9: Name one factor that can undermine political legitimacy.

Answer: Corruption. Corrupt practices destroy public trust and confidence in government.

Flashcard 10: How can international recognition affect legitimacy?

Answer: It can bolster a government's legitimacy. Global acceptance validates a government's rightful authority.

Flashcard 11: Which concept describes the trust between government and citizens?

Answer: Political legitimacy. It represents the social contract between rulers and the governed.

Flashcard 12: What is rational-legal legitimacy based on?

Answer: Established laws and procedures. Authority derives from formal rules and institutional frameworks.

Flashcard 13: Identify a challenge to legitimacy in authoritarian regimes.

Answer: Lack of political freedoms. Limited rights and participation reduce public acceptance of authority.

Flashcard 14: Identify a mechanism that can reinforce legitimacy through accountability.

Answer: Independent audits. External oversight ensures government transparency and responsible spending.

Flashcard 15: Name a system that can enhance legitimacy through representation.

Answer: Parliamentary system. Representatives chosen by citizens create democratic accountability.

Flashcard 16: What is the impact of public participation on legitimacy?

Answer: Enhances political engagement. Active citizen involvement strengthens democratic processes and ownership.

Flashcard 17: How does economic performance affect legitimacy?

Answer: High performance can enhance legitimacy. Economic success increases public satisfaction with government performance.

Flashcard 18: How does government transparency impact legitimacy?

Answer: Builds public trust and confidence. Open government operations reduce corruption and increase accountability.

Flashcard 19: How does the rule of law contribute to legitimacy?

Answer: Ensures fair and predictable governance. Equal application of laws creates trust in governmental institutions.

Flashcard 20: How does national identity contribute to legitimacy?

Answer: Strengthens social cohesion and loyalty. Shared identity creates emotional bonds between citizens and state.

Flashcard 21: Identify a factor that can enhance the perception of legitimacy.

Answer: Effective public services. Quality services demonstrate government competence and responsiveness.

Flashcard 22: Name one factor that can undermine political legitimacy.

Answer: Corruption. Corrupt practices destroy public trust and confidence in government.

Flashcard 23: What is the impact of public participation on legitimacy?

Answer: Enhances political engagement. Active citizen involvement strengthens democratic processes and ownership.

Flashcard 24: What can weaken legitimacy by creating instability?

Answer: Civil unrest. Social disorder challenges government authority and control.

Flashcard 25: What can undermine legitimacy by eroding public trust?

Answer: Scandals and corruption. They damage public confidence in governmental integrity and competence.

Flashcard 26: Identify a strategy for governments to sustain legitimacy.

Answer: Responsive policymaking. Adapting policies to citizen needs demonstrates effective governance.

Flashcard 27: How does social justice affect legitimacy?

Answer: Promotes equity and fairness. Fair treatment of all citizens strengthens support for government.

Flashcard 28: Which type of legitimacy is derived from the charisma of a leader?

Answer: Charismatic legitimacy. This type relies on personal appeal and exceptional leadership qualities.

Flashcard 29: What is the role of education in sustaining legitimacy?

Answer: Educates citizens on their rights and duties. Informed citizens better understand and support democratic processes.

Flashcard 30: What is the significance of historical continuity in legitimacy?

Answer: Reinforces traditional legitimacy. Stable institutions over time build trust in governmental authority.

Flashcard 31: What is the role of international law in legitimacy?

Answer: Provides a basis for legal legitimacy. Global standards validate domestic governmental authority and practices.

Flashcard 32: What can undermine legitimacy by eroding public trust?

Answer: Scandals and corruption. They damage public confidence in governmental integrity and competence.

Flashcard 33: What role do constitutions play in sustaining legitimacy?

Answer: Provide a legal framework for governance. They establish fundamental rules and limit governmental power.

Flashcard 34: What is the impact of civil society on legitimacy?

Answer: Enhances legitimacy by promoting engagement. Active citizen groups strengthen democratic participation and oversight.

Flashcard 35: What is the significance of public consultation in legitimacy?

Answer: Enhances democratic legitimacy. Including citizens in decisions increases acceptance of outcomes.

Flashcard 36: What is the significance of public consultation in legitimacy?

Answer: Enhances democratic legitimacy. Including citizens in decisions increases acceptance of outcomes.

Flashcard 37: How can national crises affect legitimacy?

Answer: May strengthen or weaken legitimacy. Effective crisis management can enhance or damage public trust.

Flashcard 38: Identify a challenge to legitimacy in authoritarian regimes.

Answer: Lack of political freedoms. Limited rights and participation reduce public acceptance of authority.

Flashcard 39: Identify a factor that can enhance the perception of legitimacy.

Answer: Effective public services. Quality services demonstrate government competence and responsiveness.

Flashcard 40: How does economic performance affect legitimacy?

Answer: High performance can enhance legitimacy. Economic success increases public satisfaction with government performance.

Flashcard 41: How does national identity contribute to legitimacy?

Answer: Strengthens social cohesion and loyalty. Shared identity creates emotional bonds between citizens and state.

Flashcard 42: What is a referendum?

Answer: A direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal. It allows direct citizen participation in important policy decisions.

Flashcard 43: Identify one way a government can sustain legitimacy.

Answer: Through effective governance. Delivering public services and meeting citizen needs builds trust and support.

Flashcard 44: What role do constitutions play in sustaining legitimacy?

Answer: Provide a legal framework for governance. They establish fundamental rules and limit governmental power.

Flashcard 45: Identify one way a government can sustain legitimacy.

Answer: Through effective governance. Delivering public services and meeting citizen needs builds trust and support.

Flashcard 46: Which principle helps sustain legitimacy through power separation?

Answer: Checks and balances. Institutional mechanisms prevent concentration and abuse of power.

Flashcard 47: Which principle helps sustain legitimacy through power separation?

Answer: Checks and balances. Institutional mechanisms prevent concentration and abuse of power.

Flashcard 48: What is political legitimacy?

Answer: Political legitimacy is the recognized right to rule. It means citizens accept the government's authority as rightful and proper.

Flashcard 49: What can weaken legitimacy by creating instability?

Answer: Civil unrest. Social disorder challenges government authority and control.

Flashcard 50: Identify a principle of legitimacy in democratic systems.

Answer: Free and fair elections. Democratic legitimacy requires genuine choice and competitive voting processes.

Flashcard 51: What role does free media play in sustaining legitimacy?

Answer: Promotes transparency and accountability. Independent media exposes corruption and ensures government responsiveness.

Flashcard 52: What role does free media play in sustaining legitimacy?

Answer: Promotes transparency and accountability. Independent media exposes corruption and ensures government responsiveness.

Flashcard 53: What is the effect of policy consistency on legitimacy?

Answer: It enhances predictability and trust. Stable policies reduce uncertainty and build public confidence.

Flashcard 54: How does judicial independence contribute to legitimacy?

Answer: By ensuring fair legal processes. Courts free from political pressure ensure impartial justice.

Flashcard 55: Which form of legitimacy relies on historical precedent?

Answer: Traditional legitimacy. Authority based on inherited customs and long-standing practices.

Flashcard 56: Identify a strategy for governments to sustain legitimacy.

Answer: Responsive policymaking. Adapting policies to citizen needs demonstrates effective governance.

Flashcard 57: What is the role of international law in legitimacy?

Answer: Provides a basis for legal legitimacy. Global standards validate domestic governmental authority and practices.

Flashcard 58: What is the effect of policy consistency on legitimacy?

Answer: It enhances predictability and trust. Stable policies reduce uncertainty and build public confidence.

Flashcard 59: How does government transparency impact legitimacy?

Answer: Builds public trust and confidence. Open government operations reduce corruption and increase accountability.

Flashcard 60: How does judicial independence contribute to legitimacy?

Answer: By ensuring fair legal processes. Courts free from political pressure ensure impartial justice.

Flashcard 61: How does cultural tradition influence legitimacy?

Answer: It can reinforce traditional legitimacy. Cultural values and customs strengthen acceptance of established authority.

Flashcard 62: What is a common method used to gauge legitimacy?

Answer: Public opinion polls. These surveys measure public approval and trust in government.

Flashcard 63: How does cultural tradition influence legitimacy?

Answer: It can reinforce traditional legitimacy. Cultural values and customs strengthen acceptance of established authority.

Flashcard 64: What is traditional legitimacy?

Answer: Legitimacy derived from historical customs. Authority stems from long-standing cultural practices and inheritance.

Flashcard 65: What is the role of education in sustaining legitimacy?

Answer: Educates citizens on their rights and duties. Informed citizens better understand and support democratic processes.

Flashcard 66: How can international recognition affect legitimacy?

Answer: It can bolster a government's legitimacy. Global acceptance validates a government's rightful authority.

Flashcard 67: Identify a critical component of maintaining legitimacy in democracies.

Answer: Accountability. Government responsibility to citizens ensures responsive governance.

Flashcard 68: How does the rule of law contribute to legitimacy?

Answer: Ensures fair and predictable governance. Equal application of laws creates trust in governmental institutions.

Flashcard 69: What is traditional legitimacy?

Answer: Legitimacy derived from historical customs. Authority stems from long-standing cultural practices and inheritance.

Flashcard 70: Which form of legitimacy relies on historical precedent?

Answer: Traditional legitimacy. Authority based on inherited customs and long-standing practices.

Flashcard 71: Which type of legitimacy is derived from the charisma of a leader?

Answer: Charismatic legitimacy. This type relies on personal appeal and exceptional leadership qualities.

Flashcard 72: What is a common method used to gauge legitimacy?

Answer: Public opinion polls. These surveys measure public approval and trust in government.

Flashcard 73: Which concept describes the trust between government and citizens?

Answer: Political legitimacy. It represents the social contract between rulers and the governed.