AP Comparative Government Study Guide: Democracy vs. Authoritarianism

Welcome! Let's dive into the core of comparative government: understanding different types of political regimes. This guide is designed to help you quickly grasp the key concepts and feel confident for your exam. Let's get started! 🚀

Defining Political Regimes

Political regimes are the rules and norms that define a political system. They determine who holds power and how that power is exercised. Think of it as the operating system of a country. 💻

• Democracy 🙋🏾‍♀️
• Authoritarianism 👑

🙋🏾‍♀️ Democracy

Democracy is a system where government officials are chosen through free and fair elections. It balances majority rule with the protection of minority rights and limits government power through a constitution. 📜

Key Characteristics of Democracies:

• Free and fair elections. ☑️
• Competitive elections. 🗳️
• Government accountability and transparency. ✅
• Protection of political and civil rights for all citizens. ⚖️
• An independent judiciary. 🏛️
• Elected officials with real authority. 🧑‍💼
• Rule of Law. 📜

Types of Democratic Regimes:

• Parliamentary Democracy: Head of state is chosen by the legislature. Head of state and head of government are different people. 🏛️
• Presidential Democracy: President is directly elected by the people and serves as both head of state and head of government. 👩‍⚖️
• Federal Democracy: Power is shared between central and regional governments. 🏘️
• Direct Democracy: Citizens directly participate in decision-making, often through referendums. 🗳️
  • Example: Brexit referendum in the UK. 🇪🇺
• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect officials to represent their interests. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

👑 Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism is characterized by rule by a single leader, a small group, or a single party. It features limited political participation and little accountability. ⛔

Key Characteristics of Authoritarian Regimes:

• Limited political participation. 🚫
• Limited autonomy of society from state control. 🚷
• Restrictions on political opposition. ✊
• Lack of political accountability and transparency. 🕵️

Types of Authoritarian Regimes:

• Illiberal Democracy/Hybrid Regime: Elections are held, but the process is often manipulated to keep the ruling party in power. ➕⛔
• One-Party System: Only one political party is allowed to hold power. 1️⃣
• Theocracy: Religious leaders control the government. 🛐
• Totalitarian Government: The government controls all aspects of public and private life. 🕵️
• Military Regime: Military leaders control the government. 🎖️

🌍 Our Countries of Study

Here's a quick look at where our core countries fall on the spectrum:

• UK 🇬🇧: Consolidated Democracy 🙋🏾‍♀️
• Russia 🇷🇺: Authoritarian, Illiberal/Hybrid Regime 👑
• Iran 🇮🇷: Authoritarian, Theocracy 👑
• Nigeria 🇳🇬: Authoritarian, Military/Hybrid Regime 👑
• Mexico 🇲🇽: Authoritarian, Hybrid Regime 👑
• China 🇨🇳: Authoritarian, One-Party System 👑

High-Priority Topics:

• Distinguishing between types of regimes (democracy vs. authoritarianism).
• Understanding the different types of authoritarian and democratic regimes.
• Applying regime concepts to the core countries.

Common Question Types:

• Multiple Choice: Definitions, characteristics, and examples of different regimes.
• Short Answer: Comparing and contrasting regime types, analyzing specific country examples.
• Free Response: Evaluating the factors that contribute to a country's regime type, analyzing the impact of a regime on society.

Last-Minute Tips:

• Time Management: Quickly identify the type of question and allocate time accordingly.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Use specific examples and terminology.
• Strategies: Read the questions carefully, plan your response, and provide clear, concise answers.

Practice Question

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is a key characteristic of an authoritarian regime? (A) Free and fair elections (B) Competitive political parties (C) Limited political participation (D) Independent judiciary

2. A theocracy is best defined as a government: (A) Ruled by a single political party (B) Where military leaders hold power (C) In which religious leaders run the government (D) That seeks to control all aspects of public and private life

3. In a parliamentary democracy, the head of state is typically: (A) Directly elected by the people (B) Chosen by the legislative branch (C) The same person as the head of government (D) Appointed by the military

Free Response Question

Prompt: Compare and contrast the characteristics of a parliamentary democracy and a presidential democracy. In your response, be sure to:

• Define parliamentary democracy and presidential democracy.
• Identify at least two key differences between the two systems.
• Provide an example of a country that uses each system.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Definition of Parliamentary Democracy (1 point): A system where the head of state is chosen by the legislature and is separate from the head of government.
• Definition of Presidential Democracy (1 point): A system where the president is directly elected by the people and serves as both head of state and head of government.
• Two Key Differences (2 points):
  • Difference 1: Selection of the head of state (legislature vs. direct election).
  • Difference 2: Fusion vs. separation of head of state and head of government.
• Example of Parliamentary Democracy (1 point): UK, Canada, etc.
• Example of Presidential Democracy (1 point): USA, Mexico, etc.

Remember, you've got this! Review these notes, stay calm, and approach the exam with confidence. You are well-prepared! 💪