AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Executive Term Limits

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Executive Term Limits, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Comparative Government and Politics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the maximum number of terms for a South African President?

Answer: Two terms. Follows the democratic norm of limiting executive power.

Flashcard 2: Which African country has seen recent debates over presidential term limits?

Answer: Uganda. Museveni has extended his rule through constitutional changes.

Flashcard 3: What is a potential benefit of executive term limits?

Answer: Encourages political diversity and innovation. Fresh perspectives and ideas emerge from regular leadership changes.

Flashcard 4: What is the primary purpose of executive term limits?

Answer: To prevent concentration of power and ensure political accountability. This prevents authoritarian consolidation and ensures regular leadership changes.

Flashcard 5: What is the typical term length for a French President?

Answer: Five years. Reduced from seven years in 2000 to limit presidential power.

Flashcard 6: What is the maximum number of terms for a South African President?

Answer: Two terms. Follows the democratic norm of limiting executive power.

Flashcard 7: Which Asian country has a five-year term limit for its president?

Answer: South Korea. Single five-year term prevents reelection and power concentration.

Flashcard 8: Which Latin American country has undergone changes to extend executive terms?

Answer: Venezuela. Chavez and Maduro extended presidential terms through constitutional changes.

Flashcard 9: Which country imposes a single six-year term limit for its president?

Answer: Mexico. Mexico's sexenio prevents re-election to avoid authoritarian rule.

Flashcard 10: Identify an executive position that typically does not have term limits.

Answer: Prime Minister. Parliamentary systems rely on confidence votes rather than term limits.

Flashcard 11: What is the term length for the Russian President?

Answer: Six years. Extended from four years to strengthen executive power.

Flashcard 12: What is the purpose of having non-consecutive term limits?

Answer: To allow leaders to return to power after a break. Allows experienced leaders to return after mandatory breaks.

Flashcard 13: What is the term length for a UK Prime Minister?

Answer: No fixed term; depends on parliamentary confidence. Parliamentary confidence determines tenure, not fixed terms.

Flashcard 14: What is the term length for the President of Brazil?

Answer: Four years. Standard presidential term with reelection possibility once.

Flashcard 15: Identify a country where the executive leader has no formal term limits.

Answer: China. Xi Jinping removed term limits in 2018 constitutional amendments.

Flashcard 16: Identify a country that has a non-consecutive two-term limit for its president.

Answer: Philippines. Presidents can serve again after sitting out one term.

Flashcard 17: Which Asian country recently eliminated presidential term limits?

Answer: China. Xi Jinping abolished the two-term limit in 2018.

Flashcard 18: What is a potential disadvantage of imposing executive term limits?

Answer: Limits experience and continuity in leadership. Term limits can remove effective leaders and institutional knowledge.

Flashcard 19: What is a potential disadvantage of imposing executive term limits?

Answer: Limits experience and continuity in leadership. Term limits can remove effective leaders and institutional knowledge.

Flashcard 20: What change occurred to the Russian presidential term limits in 2020?

Answer: Constitutional amendments allowing Putin to stay in power longer. Putin reset his term count, enabling rule until 2036.

Flashcard 21: Identify a South American country with a one-term executive limit.

Answer: Colombia. Presidents cannot serve consecutive terms to prevent power concentration.

Flashcard 22: Name a European country that imposes a two-term limit for its president.

Answer: France. French presidents limited to two consecutive five-year terms.

Flashcard 23: What is the typical term length for a French President?

Answer: Five years. Reduced from seven years in 2000 to limit presidential power.

Flashcard 24: What is a common argument in favor of term limits?

Answer: Prevents abuses of power and promotes fresh leadership. Term limits prevent autocracy and encourage democratic renewal.

Flashcard 25: Which Asian country has a five-year term limit for its president?

Answer: South Korea. Single five-year term prevents reelection and power concentration.

Flashcard 26: What is the maximum number of terms for the President of Indonesia?

Answer: Two terms. Constitutional limit prevents excessive presidential power concentration.

Flashcard 27: Which country imposes a single six-year term limit for its president?

Answer: Mexico. Mexico's sexenio prevents re-election to avoid authoritarian rule.

Flashcard 28: Identify a country that has a non-consecutive two-term limit for its president.

Answer: Philippines. Presidents can serve again after sitting out one term.

Flashcard 29: Identify a South American country with a one-term executive limit.

Answer: Colombia. Presidents cannot serve consecutive terms to prevent power concentration.

Flashcard 30: What is a potential risk of removing executive term limits?

Answer: Increased risk of autocracy and less accountability. Without limits, leaders can consolidate power indefinitely.

Flashcard 31: Which European country allows its president two consecutive terms of seven years?

Answer: Ireland. Irish presidents serve seven-year terms, renewable once.

Flashcard 32: What is a significant effect of abolishing term limits?

Answer: Potential for authoritarianism and reduced democratic checks. Unlimited tenure enables authoritarian control and reduces accountability.

Flashcard 33: What is one argument for maintaining executive term limits?

Answer: Ensures regular leadership renewal and prevents dominance. Prevents authoritarian consolidation through regular democratic transitions.

Flashcard 34: Identify a country that recently debated extending executive term limits.

Answer: Russia. Putin's constitutional changes sparked international debate.

Flashcard 35: What is the term length for the President of Egypt?

Answer: Four years. Renewable once, following common democratic practice.

Flashcard 36: What is the term length for the President of Argentina?

Answer: Four years. Reelection possible once for consecutive terms.

Flashcard 37: Name a European country that imposes a two-term limit for its president.

Answer: France. French presidents limited to two consecutive five-year terms.

Flashcard 38: What is the term length for the President of Argentina?

Answer: Four years. Reelection possible once for consecutive terms.

Flashcard 39: What is the term length for the President of Nigeria?

Answer: Four years. Limited to two consecutive four-year terms maximum.

Flashcard 40: How are term limits enforced in a parliamentary system?

Answer: Typically through party rules and electoral processes. PMs face no-confidence votes rather than fixed term restrictions.

Flashcard 41: What is the term length for the President of Brazil?

Answer: Four years. Standard presidential term with reelection possibility once.

Flashcard 42: What is the primary purpose of executive term limits?

Answer: To prevent concentration of power and ensure political accountability. This prevents authoritarian consolidation and ensures regular leadership changes.

Flashcard 43: What is an argument against executive term limits?

Answer: They may limit democratic choice if effective leaders are forced out. Critics argue voters should decide, not constitutional restrictions.

Flashcard 44: Identify an executive position that typically does not have term limits.

Answer: Prime Minister. Parliamentary systems rely on confidence votes rather than term limits.

Flashcard 45: Which European country allows its president two consecutive terms of seven years?

Answer: Ireland. Irish presidents serve seven-year terms, renewable once.

Flashcard 46: How are term limits enforced in a parliamentary system?

Answer: Typically through party rules and electoral processes. PMs face no-confidence votes rather than fixed term restrictions.

Flashcard 47: What is a common argument in favor of term limits?

Answer: Prevents abuses of power and promotes fresh leadership. Term limits prevent autocracy and encourage democratic renewal.

Flashcard 48: What is one argument for maintaining executive term limits?

Answer: Ensures regular leadership renewal and prevents dominance. Prevents authoritarian consolidation through regular democratic transitions.

Flashcard 49: Identify a country that recently debated extending executive term limits.

Answer: Russia. Putin's constitutional changes sparked international debate.

Flashcard 50: Which Latin American country has undergone changes to extend executive terms?

Answer: Venezuela. Chavez and Maduro extended presidential terms through constitutional changes.

Flashcard 51: What is a significant effect of abolishing term limits?

Answer: Potential for authoritarianism and reduced democratic checks. Unlimited tenure enables authoritarian control and reduces accountability.

Flashcard 52: What is the term length for the President of Nigeria?

Answer: Four years. Limited to two consecutive four-year terms maximum.

Flashcard 53: What is the term length for the German Chancellor?

Answer: Four years. No term limits in Germany's parliamentary system for chancellors.

Flashcard 54: What is the purpose of having non-consecutive term limits?

Answer: To allow leaders to return to power after a break. Allows experienced leaders to return after mandatory breaks.

Flashcard 55: Identify a country with a two-term limit for its executive leader.

Answer: United States. The 22nd Amendment limits U.S. presidents to two terms maximum.

Flashcard 56: What change occurred to the Russian presidential term limits in 2020?

Answer: Constitutional amendments allowing Putin to stay in power longer. Putin reset his term count, enabling rule until 2036.

Flashcard 57: What is a potential benefit of executive term limits?

Answer: Encourages political diversity and innovation. Fresh perspectives and ideas emerge from regular leadership changes.

Flashcard 58: What is the term length for the Russian President?

Answer: Six years. Extended from four years to strengthen executive power.

Flashcard 59: Identify a country with a two-term limit for its executive leader.

Answer: United States. The 22nd Amendment limits U.S. presidents to two terms maximum.

Flashcard 60: What is a potential risk of removing executive term limits?

Answer: Increased risk of autocracy and less accountability. Without limits, leaders can consolidate power indefinitely.

Flashcard 61: What is the term length for the President of Egypt?

Answer: Four years. Renewable once, following common democratic practice.

Flashcard 62: What is the term length for the German Chancellor?

Answer: Four years. No term limits in Germany's parliamentary system for chancellors.

Flashcard 63: Which Asian country recently eliminated presidential term limits?

Answer: China. Xi Jinping abolished the two-term limit in 2018.

Flashcard 64: Identify a country where the executive leader has no formal term limits.

Answer: China. Xi Jinping removed term limits in 2018 constitutional amendments.

Flashcard 65: What is the term length for a UK Prime Minister?

Answer: No fixed term; depends on parliamentary confidence. Parliamentary confidence determines tenure, not fixed terms.

Flashcard 66: What is the maximum number of terms for the President of Indonesia?

Answer: Two terms. Constitutional limit prevents excessive presidential power concentration.

Flashcard 67: Which African country has seen recent debates over presidential term limits?

Answer: Uganda. Museveni has extended his rule through constitutional changes.

Flashcard 68: What is an argument against executive term limits?

Answer: They may limit democratic choice if effective leaders are forced out. Critics argue voters should decide, not constitutional restrictions.