Vocab 1

Question 1

The study of comparison of domestic politics across countries.

Answer 1

Comparative Politics

Question 2

Use of the scientific method for analyzing and finding the similarities of political systems between and among countries.

Answer 2

Comparitive Method

Question 3

Cause and effect; when a change in one variable causes a change in another variable.

Answer 3

Causal relationship

Question 4

Claims that assert a particular value judgement either instead or in addition to factual, evidence-based assertions.

Answer 4

Normative statement

Question 5

Factual claims that are based on demonstratable evidence alone.

Answer 5

Empirical statement

Question 6

Study through statistical data from many cases.

Answer 6

Quantitative method

Question 7

Study through an in-depth investigation of a limited number of cases.

Answer 7

Qualitative method

Question 8

Institutions usually based on officially sanctioned rules that are relatively clear.

Answer 8

Formal institutions

Question 9

Institutions with unwritten and unofficial rules.

Answer 9

Informal institutions

Question 10

The total dollar value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders.

Answer 10

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Question 11

A measure of economic inequality.

Answer 11

Gini index

Question 12

A statistical tool that attempts to evaluate the overall wealth, health, and knowledge of a country’s people.

Answer 12

Human development index (HDI)

Question 13

A statistical tool that attempts to estimate the buying power of income across different countries by using prices in the United States as a benchmark.

Answer 13

Purchasing power parity (PPP)

Question 14

The fundamental rules and norms of the political system that determine how power is acquired and used, such as authoritarianism and democracy.

Answer 14

Regimes

Question 15

The ability of a state to carry out actions and policies within a territory independently of external actors and internal rivals.

Answer 15

Sovereignty

Question 16

A regime that concentrates power in an authority that is not responsible or accountable to the public.

Answer 16

Authoritarianism

Question 17

An arrangement that divides or shares power on a permanent or constitutional basis between a central or national government and regional governments.

Answer 17

Federalism

Question 18

An arrangement that concentrates political power at the central or national level of government and provides very limited or impermanent powers to regional levels.

Answer 18

Unitary governments

Question 19

Ranks countries “by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys.” This is usually defined as an “abuse of entrusted power for private gain.”

Answer 19

Corruption perception index

Question 20

Measures countries’ performance across eight different factors. Constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.

Answer 20

Rule of law index

Question 21

Measures that rate of freedom in choosing government officials and civil liberties within a country.

Answer 21

Democracy index

Question 22

A system of government by the whole population with an emphasis on principles of classical liberalism, including protection of rights and freedom of expression.

Answer 22

Liberal democracy

Question 23

A form of democracy in which the people may vote directly on matters of policy rather than only elect representatives.

Answer 23

Direct democracy

Question 24

A type of government where voters choose representatives to make laws on their behalf.

Answer 24

Indirect democracy

Question 25

A value whereby an institution is accepted by the public as right and proper, thus giving it authority and power.

Answer 25

Legitimacy