AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Change in Power and Authority
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How does a regime's type influence its use of power to maintain sovereignty?
Democratic regimes can typically maintain sovereignty using less power than authoritarian regimes, which often rely more on force.
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How does a regime's type influence its use of power to maintain sovereignty?
Democratic regimes can typically maintain sovereignty using less power than authoritarian regimes, which often rely more on force.
Compare the frequency and ease of changing a government versus changing a regime.
Governments can be changed more frequently and easily than regimes, often through peaceful processes like elections and appointments.
Define a "change in government".
A change in government is the replacement of political officeholders, which can occur through peaceful means like elections or violent means like coups.
What role does the population play in a revolution that changes a political system?
In a revolution, a large portion of the population supports a fundamental change in the political system's rules and institutions.
What are the two different paces at which regime change can occur?
Regime change can occur either incrementally over a period of time or suddenly through a specific event like a coup or revolution.
In a stable democracy, what kind of change does a regular election typically represent?
A regular election typically represents a change in government, as political officeholders are replaced while the fundamental rules of the regime remain the same.
What is a coup d'état?
A coup d'état is a sudden, often violent, seizure of power that results in a change of government and can sometimes lead to a change of regime.
What types of political change are represented by the violent transitions in Iran and Nigeria mentioned in the text?
The violent transitions in Iran (revolution) and Nigeria (coups d'état) are examples of how governments can change by non-peaceful means, which can also lead to regime changes.
What are three mechanisms that can cause a regime to change?
Regimes can change as a result of elections, coups, or revolutions in which a large part of the population supports the change.
Define a "change in regime".
A change in regime occurs when the fundamental rules and institutions of a political system are replaced, which can happen either incrementally or suddenly.