AP®︎ Comparative Government: Topic 1.9 Flashcards
Master key terms and definitions for Topic 1.9 of AP Comparative Government – Sustaining Legitimacy to help you prep for quizzes and the AP exam.
Political Legitimacy
The broadly held belief that a government or regime has the right to rule and exercise power
The broadly held belief that a government or regime has the right to rule and exercise power
The continuing process through which a government preserves, strengthens, or loses public belief in its right to rule
The belief that citizens can understand politics and influence political decisions and outcomes
Internal efficacy is confidence in one’s ability to understand and participate in politics; external efficacy is belief that government responds to citizens
Acceptance of authority because institutions are linked to longstanding practices, symbols, rituals, and historical continuity
Legitimacy based on belief that a leader has exceptional qualities, achievements, courage, or a special ability to represent the nation
Established, predictable rules through which public authority is acquired and exercised, attaching authority to offices rather than individuals
The principle that officials and citizens are subject to known, consistently applied laws rather than arbitrary power
Settling political disputes through accepted institutions such as elections, courts, legislatures, or negotiation rather than arbitrary force
A change in political leadership through established procedures without violence, with incumbents accepting the result
The misuse of public office for private or political benefit; reducing it strengthens legitimacy, while increasing it undermines legitimacy
Improvement in income, employment, education, infrastructure, health, and state capacity that can demonstrate effective government and reinforce legitimacy
Meaningful competition in which voters have genuine alternatives and officeholders face a real possibility of defeat
The transfer of decision-making authority from the central government to regional or subnational governments
The placement of responsibility or authority in lower-level institutions while the central government retains greater power to supervise or withdraw it
The extent to which electoral procedures and results are accurate, lawful, competitive, fair, and publicly credible
A government’s demonstrated capacity to make and implement policies, provide public goods, and address problems
Acceptance of governmental authority based substantially on the results and benefits the government produces
