AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Political Party Systems
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 19 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the role of the National Electoral Institute (IFE) in Mexico?
The establishment and strengthening of the IFE helped ensure fairer elections, which facilitated Mexico's transition from one-party dominance.
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What is the role of the National Electoral Institute (IFE) in Mexico?
The establishment and strengthening of the IFE helped ensure fairer elections, which facilitated Mexico's transition from one-party dominance.
How does Russia limit political opposition?
The state uses selective court decisions to disqualify candidates and limits the ability of political opposition to present their viewpoints in the media.
How do political party systems vary among countries?
Party systems differ significantly, ranging from dominant party systems where one party holds power to multiparty systems with various levels of competition.
How did privatizing state-owned corporations weaken one-party rule in Mexico?
Privatization decreased the ruling party's control over the economy and its ability to use state resources for patronage, thus reducing its power.
Identify one rule Russia uses to ensure one-party dominance.
Russia enforces rules such as increasing party registration requirements and allowing only legally registered parties to run for office.
What was the significance of eliminating "el dedazo" in Mexico?
Eliminating this informal practice of the outgoing president hand-picking his successor was a key reform that helped Mexico transition away from one-party dominance.
Compare the function of minor parties in China versus the United Kingdom.
In China, minor parties serve a consultative role without power, while in the UK, minor parties can win legislative seats and influence policy through regional representation.
How does party organization influence policymaking in the UK House of Commons?
The legislature is highly organized by political parties, and voting based on strict party discipline is a major influence on policy making.
What values does China's one-party system aim to maintain?
The dominance of the Communist Party of China is intended to maintain the values of centralism and order.
Which two parties primarily compete in the United Kingdom's system?
The UK's party system features primary competition between the Conservative and Labour parties, which control the legislature and executive.
Describe Nigeria's party system.
Nigeria has a multiparty system with 30 registered parties, but it is dominated by two strong parties, the PDP and APC, with a third party having some success.
Describe China's party system.
China has a single-party system where only the Communist Party of China can control governing power, although eight other parties exist for consultation.
How did the elimination of gubernatorial elections affect Russia's party system?
Eliminating gubernatorial elections was a rule change that helped consolidate power and ensure one-party dominance.
How does competition in multiparty systems affect citizens?
The degree of competition in a multiparty system can influence the quality of representation and the extent of formal political participation by citizens.
Identify an administrative and a legal tactic used in Russia to limit opposition parties.
An administrative tactic is increasing party registration requirements, while a legal tactic is using selective court decisions to disqualify candidates.
Differentiate between a dominant party system and a multiparty system.
A dominant party system has one party that controls government for a long period, while a multiparty system features competition among several parties for power.
How are minor parties able to win legislative representation in the UK?
Minor parties with strong regional representation are able to win some legislative seats despite the dominance of the two major parties.
What is a catch-all political party?
A party that earns support from groups with different characteristics by using ideologically diverse platforms to attract popular support.
What is the effect of first-past-the-post election rules in the UK?
First-past-the-post rules in the UK tend to favor the two major parties (Conservative and Labour), reinforcing their dominance in the political system.