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Political Stability

Ella Carter

Ella Carter

8 min read

Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers political stability, its factors (strong institutions, good governance, social cohesion, economic development, international relations), and how internal factors like corruption, internal conflicts, and protest movements impact it. It examines these factors in six countries: UK, Nigeria, Mexico, China, Russia, and Iran, comparing authoritarian and democratic responses. It also reviews key Unit 1 concepts such as correlation, causation, empirical and normative data, regime types, federal and unitary systems, authority, and legitimacy.

AP Comparative Government: Political Stability - Night Before Review ๐Ÿš€

Hey! Let's make sure you're feeling super confident for tomorrow's exam. We're going to break down political stability, how it's impacted, and what you absolutely need to know. Think of this as your ultimate cheat sheet!

What is Political Stability?

Political stability is all about a government's ability to provide services and build public confidence. It's also about predictabilityโ€”people know what to expect from their government. Think of it like a well-oiled machine! โš™๏ธ

Key Concept

Political stability is a cornerstone concept in AP Comparative Government. Understanding its components and the factors that influence it is essential for success on the exam.

Key Factors for Stability:

  • Strong Institutions ๐Ÿ’ช: A solid foundation for political structures.
  • Good Governance โœ…: Transparent, effective management of public affairs.
  • Social Cohesion ๐Ÿซ‚: Citizens feel united with a common purpose.
  • Economic Development ๐Ÿค‘: Reduces poverty and inequality, improving quality of life.
  • International Relations ๐ŸŒŽ: Positive relations reduce tensions and promote stability.

Factors Impacting Political Stability

Let's dive into the internal factors that can shake things up. College Board wants you to focus on these three areas:

Factor #1: Combating Political Corruption

How do countries handle corruption? It's a big deal for stability!

  • Freedom of Information Acts:
    • UK ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง, Nigeria ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ, Mexico ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ: These countries allow citizens to criticize the government, which can lead to positive change and build trust.
Quick Fact

Freedom of information acts are a key mechanism for enhancing government transparency and accountability.

* **Authoritarian Responses:** * **China ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ:** President Xi Jinping uses corruption charges to silence rivals, stifling criticism. * **Russia ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ:** Remember the 2012 election riots? The government controls media and limits internet access, preventing scrutiny. * **Iran ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท:** Government controls media and internet, making it difficult to challenge corruption.

Factor #2: State Responses to Internal Conflicts

How do countries deal with separatist violence, drug trafficking, and discrimination?

  • Iran ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท:
    • Discrimination against women and minorities leads to internal and external turmoil. Protests are met with violence.
  • Nigeria ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ:
    • Boko Haram's terrorist activities disrupt stability. The government has responded with military action.
  • ...

Question 1 of 12

Political stability is BEST described as a government's ability to:

Maximize military strength and project power internationally

Provide services and build public confidence. โš™๏ธ

Suppress dissent and maintain control through force

Ensure that all citizens participate directly in government