AP Comparative Government Unit 1 Cheatsheet: Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments

Data sources & methods:

• Analyze quantitative (charts, tables, graphs) and qualitative (speeches, documents, cartoons, maps, commentary) data
• Use HDI, GDP per capita, GDP growth, Gini index, Freedom House, Transparency International, and the Fragile States Index
• Make comparisons and inferences across course countries

Key distinctions:

• Correlation: association between two variables
• Causation: hard to prove—many variables influence outcomes
• Empirical: factual, objective statements
• Normative: value-based statements

Political scientists use empirical data to apply concepts, support generalizations, and build arguments.

Sovereignty: Independent legal authority over population in territory.

Political system: Laws, ideas, procedures addressing who rules and government's influence on people and economy.

Key indicators:

• Rule of law (governed by law, not arbitrary decisions)
• Media independence
• Elections (free, fair, competitive)
• Governmental transparency
• Citizen participation in policy-making
• Branch independence (prevents power concentration)

Authoritarian regime types:

• Illiberal democracies / hybrid regimes
• One-party states
• Theocracies
• Totalitarian governments
• Military regimes

Democratic regimes have more independent branches; authoritarian regimes concentrate power.