AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Challenges from Political and Social Cleavages
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
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What is the general effect of political and social cleavages on a country?
Political and social cleavages can negatively affect citizen relationships and challenge the political stability of a country.
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What is the general effect of political and social cleavages on a country?
Political and social cleavages can negatively affect citizen relationships and challenge the political stability of a country.
How can deep cleavages impact a government's perceived authority?
Deep cleavages can lead to a perceived lack of governmental authority and legitimacy among citizens, undermining the state's power.
Identify a challenge governments in multinational states face regarding group competition.
Governments in multinational states face challenges from the conflicting interests and competition that arise among different groups and political parties.
What specific political demands can arise from groups in multinational states due to cleavages?
Groups within a multinational state may exert pressure for greater autonomy or, in more extreme cases, full secession from the state.
List two internal and one external challenge governments face in securing stability in multinational states.
Internal challenges include conflicting interests and pressure for autonomy, while an external challenge is the encroachment of neighboring states.
A government in a multinational state is seen as illegitimate by a major ethnic group. What challenge does this perception create?
This perceived lack of legitimacy makes it difficult for the government to secure stability and enforce its authority over that group and the country as a whole.
What are the most extreme potential outcomes of unresolved pressures for autonomy in a multinational state?
Unresolved pressures for autonomy can escalate into severe instability, including intergroup conflict, terrorism, and civil war.
How might neighboring countries react to a state weakened by internal cleavages?
Neighboring states may sense the government's weakness and vulnerability, leading to encroachment on its territory or influence.
Why is 'conflicting interests' a major challenge for governments in multinational states?
Conflicting interests among different social groups make it difficult for the government to create policies that satisfy everyone, thus threatening stability.
What is meant by 'intergroup conflict' as a challenge in multinational states?
Intergroup conflict refers to disputes and competition, sometimes violent, between different ethnic, religious, or national groups within a single state.