AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Sources Of Power And Authority

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Sources Of Power And Authority, 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: In what type of government is sovereignty vested in a single ruler?

Answer: Autocracy. Single ruler holds complete sovereign power without constitutional limits.

Flashcard 2: What is a fundamental source of authority in a republic?

Answer: Elected representatives. Authority derives from citizens choosing their governing officials.

Flashcard 3: What type of authority is derived from legal-rational legitimacy?

Answer: Bureaucratic authority. Administrative power through formal procedures and institutional rules.

Flashcard 4: What source of power depends on public opinion?

Answer: Media influence. Power to shape public opinion through information control.

Flashcard 5: Which source of power is related to the control of information?

Answer: Propaganda. Systematic control of information to shape public perception.

Flashcard 6: What is a source of legitimacy in a theocracy?

Answer: Religious doctrine. Authority derived from religious texts and divine commandments.

Flashcard 7: Which institution typically holds power in a parliamentary system?

Answer: The parliament. Legislative body holds primary authority in parliamentary democracies.

Flashcard 8: Which form of government relies on aristocratic privilege?

Answer: Oligarchy. Small elite group holds power based on wealth or privilege.

Flashcard 9: What is the term for power derived from legal rationality?

Answer: Legal-rational authority. Authority based on established laws, rules, and institutional procedures.

Flashcard 10: Which concept involves citizens' consent as a power source?

Answer: Consent of the governed. Legitimacy requires active approval from the citizenry.

Flashcard 11: Identify a source of power in a meritocracy.

Answer: Individual talent. Authority based on demonstrated ability and achievement.

Flashcard 12: Identify the source of authority in a bureaucracy.

Answer: Hierarchical organization. Authority flows through structured administrative levels and positions.

Flashcard 13: Identify the source of authority in a bureaucracy.

Answer: Hierarchical organization. Authority flows through structured administrative levels and positions.

Flashcard 14: What type of authority is based on charisma?

Answer: Charismatic authority. Power based on personal magnetism and exceptional individual qualities.

Flashcard 15: What distinguishes democratic authority from authoritarian?

Answer: Free and fair elections. Competitive elections ensure legitimate representation and accountability.

Flashcard 16: What term describes power based on knowledge and expertise?

Answer: Expert authority. Authority based on specialized knowledge and professional competence.

Flashcard 17: What is a source of legitimacy in a theocracy?

Answer: Religious doctrine. Authority derived from religious texts and divine commandments.

Flashcard 18: Which concept involves citizens' consent as a power source?

Answer: Consent of the governed. Legitimacy requires active approval from the citizenry.

Flashcard 19: Which form of government relies on aristocratic privilege?

Answer: Oligarchy. Small elite group holds power based on wealth or privilege.

Flashcard 20: What source of power is based on economic strength?

Answer: Economic resources. Power derived from control of wealth and material assets.

Flashcard 21: Identify a source of authority in communist states.

Answer: Party rule. Single political party monopolizes all governmental power and authority.

Flashcard 22: Which system derives power from a constitution?

Answer: Constitutional government. Authority established through fundamental law and constitutional framework.

Flashcard 23: Identify a primary source of authority in a monarchy.

Answer: Hereditary succession. Power passes through family lines based on bloodline and tradition.

Flashcard 24: Which political system is characterized by popular sovereignty?

Answer: Democracy. Government authority derives from citizen participation and consent.

Flashcard 25: Name a source of power in authoritarian regimes.

Answer: Military force. Coercive power through armed forces and physical control mechanisms.

Flashcard 26: What source of power is based on social norms?

Answer: Cultural authority. Power derived from shared values and social expectations.

Flashcard 27: Identify a non-coercive source of power.

Answer: Persuasion. Influence through reasoning and argument rather than force.

Flashcard 28: What is the primary source of power in a socialist state?

Answer: State ownership of resources. Government controls economic means of production and distribution.

Flashcard 29: Identify the source of power in a unitary state.

Answer: Centralized government. All authority concentrated in the national government level.

Flashcard 30: What source of power involves strategic alliances?

Answer: Diplomatic power. International influence through negotiations and strategic partnerships.

Flashcard 31: What source of power is often utilized by autocrats?

Answer: Coercion. Use of force or threat to compel obedience and compliance.

Flashcard 32: Which form of rule is based on divine right?

Answer: Theocracy. Religious leaders claim authority from divine or spiritual sources.

Flashcard 33: What is the main source of power in a capitalist economy?

Answer: Private ownership. Economic power through individual control of property and resources.

Flashcard 34: In what type of government is sovereignty vested in a single ruler?

Answer: Autocracy. Single ruler holds complete sovereign power without constitutional limits.

Flashcard 35: Identify a source of power in a corporatist system.

Answer: Corporate influence. Business organizations hold significant political and economic power.

Flashcard 36: What source of power is based on economic strength?

Answer: Economic resources. Power derived from control of wealth and material assets.

Flashcard 37: Identify the source of power in a unitary state.

Answer: Centralized government. All authority concentrated in the national government level.

Flashcard 38: Which source of authority is most associated with totalitarian regimes?

Answer: State control. Government exercises comprehensive control over all aspects of society.

Flashcard 39: Which political structure decentralizes authority to regional governments?

Answer: Federalism. Constitutional system dividing power between national and subnational units.

Flashcard 40: Identify a primary source of authority in a monarchy.

Answer: Hereditary succession. Power passes through family lines based on bloodline and tradition.

Flashcard 41: Which source of power is based on historical claims?

Answer: Historical legitimacy. Authority derived from past precedents and established traditions.

Flashcard 42: Which source of power is based on historical claims?

Answer: Historical legitimacy. Authority derived from past precedents and established traditions.

Flashcard 43: What form of government is based on rule by the elite?

Answer: Aristocracy. Government by hereditary nobility or wealthy upper class.

Flashcard 44: What is a fundamental source of authority in a republic?

Answer: Elected representatives. Authority derives from citizens choosing their governing officials.

Flashcard 45: What type of authority is based on charisma?

Answer: Charismatic authority. Power based on personal magnetism and exceptional individual qualities.

Flashcard 46: What type of legitimacy is derived from legal systems and laws?

Answer: Legal legitimacy. Authority based on established legal frameworks and judicial systems.

Flashcard 47: What is the basis of power in a technocracy?

Answer: Technical expertise. Government by technical experts and scientific specialists.

Flashcard 48: Identify a non-coercive source of power.

Answer: Persuasion. Influence through reasoning and argument rather than force.

Flashcard 49: What is the basis of power in a libertarian system?

Answer: Individual freedom. Power comes from maximizing personal liberty and minimal government.

Flashcard 50: What is a key source of power in a democracy?

Answer: Popular sovereignty. Power derives from the will and consent of the people in democratic systems.

Flashcard 51: What is a key source of power in a democracy?

Answer: Popular sovereignty. Power derives from the will and consent of the people in democratic systems.

Flashcard 52: What is the source of power in a federal system?

Answer: Division of powers. Power shared between central and regional government levels.