AP Comparative Government Study Guide: Democratization

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the AP Comparative Government exam. This guide is designed to make sure you feel confident and ready to go. We'll break down the key concepts, connect the dots, and make sure you're not just memorizing, but truly understanding.

Unit 1: Democratization

What is Democratization?

Democratization is all about how regimes, whether authoritarian 👑 or democratic 🙋🏾‍♀️, incorporate more of the seven characteristics of democracy into their political systems. It's not always a straight path – sometimes there are steps forward and then backward. Think of it as a dance, not a march! 💃🕺

Key Concept

Remember, democratization can involve some, but not necessarily all, of the characteristics of democracy.

Seven Characteristics of Democracy 🙋🏾‍♀️

Here's a quick rundown of the seven key characteristics. Think of these as the building blocks of a democratic system:

Free and Fair Elections: Elections where everyone eligible can vote, and votes are counted accurately.
Competitive Elections: Multiple parties have a real chance of winning; not just a one-party show.
Government Transparency: Policies and procedures are open, with due process, accountability, and transparency.
Political and Civil Rights: All citizens possess fundamental rights and liberties.
Independent Judiciary: A court system that is not controlled by other branches of government.
Elected Officials with Authority: Elected leaders actually have power over the government.
Rule of Law: Laws are clear, government is open, there's accountability, and justice is accessible.

Democratization in Action: Country Examples

Let's see how these characteristics play out in our countries of study:

Free and Fair Elections
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: These countries are working on electoral democratization by:
  - Increasing multiparty competition.
  - Creating gender/cultural quotas to include more people.
  - Using proportional representation (seats based on votes, unlike the US winner-takes-all system).
  - Adjusting vote thresholds and district boundaries.
  - Establishing independent election committees to reduce fraud.
- United Kingdom 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿: Even established democracies evolve! Remember how voting rights expanded to women in 1918 and 1928?
Competitive Elections
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: The key here is that the party out of power has a chance to win. Mexico's PRI used to dominate for 71 years, but now power shifts between parties.
- Russia 🇷🇺: While Russia has multiple parties, no opposition party has ever gained control. This makes it an illiberal democracy – elections exist, but they're not truly competitive.
Government Transparency
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: Both have passed National Freedom of Information Acts, increasing government accountability. This shows they're moving towards being more democratic.
Political and Civil Rights
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: They have national courts and rights protections, but face challenges, like religious violence in Nigeria.
Independent Judiciary
- China 🇨🇳: The judiciary is not independent at all, with a 99.3% conviction rate, highlighting its authoritarian nature.
Elected Officials with Authority
- China 🇨🇳 & Russia 🇷🇺: In both countries, the President and ruling party control the branches of government, limiting real checks and balances.
Rule of Law
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: Elections matter, and power can change hands.
- Russia 🇷🇺: Elections don't really matter, as United Russia always wins.

Quick Fact

Remember: Mexico and Nigeria are often cited as examples of countries moving towards democratization.

Visual Overview:

Here’s a table to help you visualize the key characteristics across different countries:

🔑 Key Characteristics of Democratization-Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes

Country	Rule of Law	Free and Fair Elections	Government control of Media	Independence of Branches
UK Established Democracy	House of Commons directly elected by the public voted against airstrikes in Syria (2013)	In 2010 the Conservative Party won the House of Commons after 13 straight years of control by the Labour Party	Controls some media outlets, but allows private media and media to be critical of the government.	Commons votes against the PM at various times, like our example in Syria.
Mexico Emerging Democracy	In 2000 the PRI lost the Presidential election to PAN candidate and relinquished power	In 2018 President Nieto who was constitutionally prevented from running again, saw his party relinquish control to an opposing party	Controls some media outlets, but allows private media and media to be critical of the government. However, there has been quite a bit of violence against members of the media	Supreme Court is able to review the Constitutionality of laws
Nigeria Emerging Democracy	Nigerian legislature directly elected by the people rejected the President’s bid to add a 3rd term to the presidency	In 2015, Nigeria saw its first transfer of power between parties through a presidential election	Controls some media outlets, but allows private media and media to be critical of the government.	The legislature votes against the President, like in our example of adding a 3rd term to the presidency
Russia Authoritarian	Invasion and annexation of Crimea	Putin has won every election in the first round of voting in each of his elections	Regulates the internet to limit dissent, controls most of the media outlets, violence against reporters common	National legislature is merely a rubber stamp for expansion of Executive Power
Iran Authoritarian	Election protestors put down violently	Supreme Leader is not directly elected by the people. Supreme Leader directly and indirectly appoints all members of the Guardian Council	Blocks internet content to limit dissent, controls most of the media outlets	National legislature is merely a rubber stamp for expansion of Supreme Leader’s Power
China Authoritarian	President Xi ends Constitutional term limits for presidency	No direct elections of high ranking governmental officials, appointed from within the party.	Blocks internet content to limit dissent, controls most of the media outlets	National legislature is merely a rubber stamp for expansion of Executive Power

Memory Aid

Think of "M.N.R.I.C.U" to remember the countries: Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Iran, China, and UK. This is a good way to keep your countries in order!

Democratic Advancements and Regression

Democratization isn't always a one-way street. Here's what you need to know:

Democratic Consolidation: This is when a country strengthens its democracy by:
- Maturing election rules.
- Emphasizing separation of powers.
- Protecting civil liberties.
This makes it harder for authoritarianism to take hold. 🫂
Democratic Backslide: This is when a government adopts policies that undermine democratic elections. 😵‍💫
- Poverty can hinder democracy by limiting participation.
- Corruption can also damage democracy, but a strong judiciary can help control it.

Democratic Waves 🌊

Political scientist Samuel Huntington identified three "waves of democratization:"

First Wave: The origins of democracy (no specific date).
Second Wave: After WWII until the 1960s. 🗡
Third Wave: The defeat of dictatorships in Latin America in the 1970s, including Mexico's recent party turnover.

Exam Tip

When analyzing democratization, remember to consider the specific context of each country and avoid generalizations. Focus on the processes of democracy, not just the presence of democratic institutions.

💡Key Questions: What makes a nation democratic? What are the goals of democracy? Make sure you can answer these!

Final Exam Focus

Okay, let's talk about what to really focus on for the exam:

Highest Priority Topics:
- The seven characteristics of democracy.
- How democratization works in different countries (especially Mexico and Nigeria).
- The difference between democratic consolidation and backsliding.
- The concept of democratic waves.
Common Question Types:
- Multiple-choice questions testing your understanding of key terms and concepts.
- Short answer questions asking you to compare democratization in different countries.
- Free response questions requiring you to analyze the factors that promote or hinder democratization.
Last-Minute Tips:
- Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
- Common Pitfalls: Avoid generalizations and focus on specific examples from the countries of study.
- Strategies: When answering FRQs, use specific evidence and examples to support your claims. Make sure to explain the why behind your answers.

Common Mistake

Don't just list the characteristics of democracy. Explain how they function in different contexts. For example, don't just say "free and fair elections;" explain how Mexico and Nigeria are trying to achieve them.

Practice Questions

Alright, let's test your knowledge with some practice questions!

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following best describes the concept of democratic consolidation? (A) A country's transition from authoritarian rule to democracy (B) The process by which a country strengthens and reinforces its democratic institutions (C) A government's efforts to undermine democratic elections (D) The spread of democratic ideals through international organizations
Which of the following countries is often cited as an example of an illiberal democracy? (A) United Kingdom (B) Mexico (C) Russia (D) Nigeria
What is a key characteristic of competitive elections? (A) Only one political party is allowed to participate (B) The ruling party always wins (C) Multiple parties have a real chance of winning (D) Elections are conducted without any oversight

Free Response Question (FRQ)

Analyze the factors that contribute to democratic consolidation and democratic backsliding. In your response, be sure to:

Define democratic consolidation and democratic backsliding.
Discuss two factors that contribute to democratic consolidation.
Discuss two factors that contribute to democratic backsliding.
Use specific examples from at least two countries in the AP Comparative Government course.

FRQ Scoring Breakdown:

Define democratic consolidation (1 point): A country's process of strengthening democratic institutions and norms.
Define democratic backsliding (1 point): A government's adoption of policies that undermine democratic processes.
Discuss two factors that contribute to democratic consolidation (2 points): For example, maturing election rules and protecting civil liberties.
Discuss two factors that contribute to democratic backsliding (2 points): For example, poverty and corruption.
Use specific examples from at least two countries (2 points): For example, Mexico's electoral reforms and Russia's restrictions on opposition parties.

AP Comparative Government Study Guide: Democratization

Unit 1: Democratization

What is Democratization?

Key Concept

Remember, democratization can involve some, but not necessarily all, of the characteristics of democracy.

Seven Characteristics of Democracy 🙋🏾‍♀️

Here's a quick rundown of the seven key characteristics. Think of these as the building blocks of a democratic system:

Free and Fair Elections: Elections where everyone eligible can vote, and votes are counted accurately.
Competitive Elections: Multiple parties have a real chance of winning; not just a one-party show.
Government Transparency: Policies and procedures are open, with due process, accountability, and transparency.
Political and Civil Rights: All citizens possess fundamental rights and liberties.
Independent Judiciary: A court system that is not controlled by other branches of government.
Elected Officials with Authority: Elected leaders actually have power over the government.
Rule of Law: Laws are clear, government is open, there's accountability, and justice is accessible.

Democratization in Action: Country Examples

Let's see how these characteristics play out in our countries of study:

Free and Fair Elections
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: These countries are working on electoral democratization by:
  - Increasing multiparty competition.
  - Creating gender/cultural quotas to include more people.
  - Using proportional representation (seats based on votes, unlike the US winner-takes-all system).
  - Adjusting vote thresholds and district boundaries.
  - Establishing independent election committees to reduce fraud.
- United Kingdom 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿: Even established democracies evolve! Remember how voting rights expanded to women in 1918 and 1928?
Competitive Elections
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: The key here is that the party out of power has a chance to win. Mexico's PRI used to dominate for 71 years, but now power shifts between parties.
- Russia 🇷🇺: While Russia has multiple parties, no opposition party has ever gained control. This makes it an illiberal democracy – elections exist, but they're not truly competitive.
Government Transparency
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: Both have passed National Freedom of Information Acts, increasing government accountability. This shows they're moving towards being more democratic.
Political and Civil Rights
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: They have national courts and rights protections, but face challenges, like religious violence in Nigeria.
Independent Judiciary
- China 🇨🇳: The judiciary is not independent at all, with a 99.3% conviction rate, highlighting its authoritarian nature.
Elected Officials with Authority
- China 🇨🇳 & Russia 🇷🇺: In both countries, the President and ruling party control the branches of government, limiting real checks and balances.
Rule of Law
- Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: Elections matter, and power can change hands.
- Russia 🇷🇺: Elections don't really matter, as United Russia always wins.

Quick Fact

Remember: Mexico and Nigeria are often cited as examples of countries moving towards democratization.

Visual Overview:

Here’s a table to help you visualize the key characteristics across different countries:

🔑 Key Characteristics of Democratization-Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes

Country	Rule of Law	Free and Fair Elections	Government control of Media	Independence of Branches
UK Established Democracy	House of Commons directly elected by the public voted against airstrikes in Syria (2013)	In 2010 the Conservative Party won the House of Commons after 13 straight years of control by the Labour Party	Controls some media outlets, but allows private media and media to be critical of the government.	Commons votes against the PM at various times, like our example in Syria.
Mexico Emerging Democracy	In 2000 the PRI lost the Presidential election to PAN candidate and relinquished power	In 2018 President Nieto who was constitutionally prevented from running again, saw his party relinquish control to an opposing party	Controls some media outlets, but allows private media and media to be critical of the government. However, there has been quite a bit of violence against members of the media	Supreme Court is able to review the Constitutionality of laws
Nigeria Emerging Democracy	Nigerian legislature directly elected by the people rejected the President’s bid to add a 3rd term to the presidency	In 2015, Nigeria saw its first transfer of power between parties through a presidential election	Controls some media outlets, but allows private media and media to be critical of the government.	The legislature votes against the President, like in our example of adding a 3rd term to the presidency
Russia Authoritarian	Invasion and annexation of Crimea	Putin has won every election in the first round of voting in each of his elections	Regulates the internet to limit dissent, controls most of the media outlets, violence against reporters common	National legislature is merely a rubber stamp for expansion of Executive Power
Iran Authoritarian	Election protestors put down violently	Supreme Leader is not directly elected by the people. Supreme Leader directly and indirectly appoints all members of the Guardian Council	Blocks internet content to limit dissent, controls most of the media outlets	National legislature is merely a rubber stamp for expansion of Supreme Leader’s Power
China Authoritarian	President Xi ends Constitutional term limits for presidency	No direct elections of high ranking governmental officials, appointed from within the party.	Blocks internet content to limit dissent, controls most of the media outlets	National legislature is merely a rubber stamp for expansion of Executive Power

Memory Aid

Think of "M.N.R.I.C.U" to remember the countries: Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Iran, China, and UK. This is a good way to keep your countries in order!

Democratic Advancements and Regression

Democratization isn't always a one-way street. Here's what you need to know:

Democratic Consolidation: This is when a country strengthens its democracy by:
- Maturing election rules.
- Emphasizing separation of powers.
- Protecting civil liberties.
This makes it harder for authoritarianism to take hold. 🫂
Democratic Backslide: This is when a government adopts policies that undermine democratic elections. 😵‍💫
- Poverty can hinder democracy by limiting participation.
- Corruption can also damage democracy, but a strong judiciary can help control it.

Democratic Waves 🌊

Political scientist Samuel Huntington identified three "waves of democratization:"

First Wave: The origins of democracy (no specific date).
Second Wave: After WWII until the 1960s. 🗡
Third Wave: The defeat of dictatorships in Latin America in the 1970s, including Mexico's recent party turnover.

Exam Tip

💡Key Questions: What makes a nation democratic? What are the goals of democracy? Make sure you can answer these!

Final Exam Focus

Okay, let's talk about what to really focus on for the exam:

Highest Priority Topics:
- The seven characteristics of democracy.
- How democratization works in different countries (especially Mexico and Nigeria).
- The difference between democratic consolidation and backsliding.
- The concept of democratic waves.
Common Question Types:
- Multiple-choice questions testing your understanding of key terms and concepts.
- Short answer questions asking you to compare democratization in different countries.
- Free response questions requiring you to analyze the factors that promote or hinder democratization.
Last-Minute Tips:
- Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
- Common Pitfalls: Avoid generalizations and focus on specific examples from the countries of study.
- Strategies: When answering FRQs, use specific evidence and examples to support your claims. Make sure to explain the why behind your answers.

Common Mistake

Practice Questions

Alright, let's test your knowledge with some practice questions!

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following best describes the concept of democratic consolidation? (A) A country's transition from authoritarian rule to democracy (B) The process by which a country strengthens and reinforces its democratic institutions (C) A government's efforts to undermine democratic elections (D) The spread of democratic ideals through international organizations
Which of the following countries is often cited as an example of an illiberal democracy? (A) United Kingdom (B) Mexico (C) Russia (D) Nigeria
What is a key characteristic of competitive elections? (A) Only one political party is allowed to participate (B) The ruling party always wins (C) Multiple parties have a real chance of winning (D) Elections are conducted without any oversight

Free Response Question (FRQ)

Analyze the factors that contribute to democratic consolidation and democratic backsliding. In your response, be sure to:

Define democratic consolidation and democratic backsliding.
Discuss two factors that contribute to democratic consolidation.
Discuss two factors that contribute to democratic backsliding.
Use specific examples from at least two countries in the AP Comparative Government course.

FRQ Scoring Breakdown:

Define democratic consolidation (1 point): A country's process of strengthening democratic institutions and norms.
Define democratic backsliding (1 point): A government's adoption of policies that undermine democratic processes.
Discuss two factors that contribute to democratic consolidation (2 points): For example, maturing election rules and protecting civil liberties.
Discuss two factors that contribute to democratic backsliding (2 points): For example, poverty and corruption.
Use specific examples from at least two countries (2 points): For example, Mexico's electoral reforms and Russia's restrictions on opposition parties.

Democratization

Ella Carter

AP Comparative Government Study Guide: Democratization

Unit 1: Democratization

What is Democratization?

Seven Characteristics of Democracy 🙋🏾‍♀️

Democratization in Action: Country Examples

Visual Overview:

🔑 Key Characteristics of Democratization-Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes

Democratic Advancements and Regression

Democratic Waves 🌊

Final Exam Focus

Practice Questions

How are we doing?

Democratization

Ella Carter

AP Comparative Government Study Guide: Democratization

Unit 1: Democratization

What is Democratization?

Seven Characteristics of Democracy 🙋🏾‍♀️

Democratization in Action: Country Examples

Visual Overview:

🔑 Key Characteristics of Democratization-Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes

Democratic Advancements and Regression

Democratic Waves 🌊

Final Exam Focus

Practice Questions

How are we doing?