AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: The Practice of Political Scientists
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 21 cards to help you master important concepts.
Freedom House
A data collection resource used to investigate relationships among countries by measuring levels of political rights and civil liberties.
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Freedom House
A data collection resource used to investigate relationships among countries by measuring levels of political rights and civil liberties.
Transparency International
A data collection resource used to investigate relationships among countries by measuring perceived levels of public-sector corruption.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GDP per capita
Data collection resources used to investigate relationships among countries by measuring a country's total economic output and output per person.
How do political scientists construct knowledge about political systems?
They construct knowledge by communicating inferences and explanations about political systems, institutional interactions, and behavior.
Failed States Index
A data collection resource used to investigate relationships among countries by assessing state vulnerability to conflict or collapse.
What is a key differentiation required in comparative political research?
Research requires differentiation between empirical (factual/objective) and normative (value) statements.
What is the core activity of comparative political scientists?
Comparative political scientists compare different political systems to derive conclusions about politics.
Human Development Index (HDI)
A data collection resource used to investigate relationships among course countries, combining statistics on life expectancy, education, and income.
How do quantitative methods help in the study of comparative politics?
Analyzing empirical data using quantitative methods facilitates making comparisons among and inferences about course countries.
Gini Index (Coefficient)
A data collection resource used to investigate relationships among countries by measuring income or wealth inequality.
Normative Statement
A statement that expresses a value judgment about what ought to be; it is subjective and cannot be proven true or false.
Qualitative Information
Information, such as speeches, foundational documents, and political commentaries, that is analyzed to make comparisons and inferences about countries.
What is the purpose of analyzing sources like charts, graphs, and political cartoons in comparative politics?
This analysis allows political scientists to make comparisons between and inferences about different course countries.
A researcher states, "The Gini index for Country X is 0.45." Is this an empirical or normative statement?
This is an empirical statement because it is a factual, objective piece of data that can be verified.
A political commentator says, "The government of Country Y should do more to lower its Gini index." Is this an empirical or normative statement?
This is a normative statement because it expresses a value judgment about what a government ought to do.
To compare the overall quality of life and access to education and healthcare between two countries, which index would be most useful?
The Human Development Index (HDI) would be the most useful resource for this comparison.
Empirical Statement
A factual or objective statement that can be proven or disproven with evidence.
What is correlation?
Correlation exists when there is an association between two or more variables.
A political scientist observes that as a country's GDP growth rate increases, its regime stability also tends to increase. What concept does this illustrate?
This illustrates a correlation, which is an association between two variables, but it does not prove that one causes the other.
For what purpose do political scientists most often use empirical information?
They use empirical information to apply concepts, support generalizations, or make arguments.
Why is determining causation difficult in comparative politics?
It is difficult because there are often numerous variables that influence outcomes, with no way to isolate and demonstrate which one is producing the change.