#AP Comparative Government: Power and Authority - Your Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future AP Gov rockstar! This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for acing the exam, especially when you're reviewing the night before. Let's dive into the core concepts of power and authority in our six course countries. We'll make sure you're not just memorizing facts, but truly understanding how it all connects. Let's get started!

#1. Sources of Power and Authority: An Overview

These two topics, 1.5 (Sources of Power) and 1.6 (Changes in Power and Authority), are super connected. Think of 1.5 as identifying where power comes from, and 1.6 as examining how that has changed over time. Get these down, and you're golden! They often appear in tandem on the exam, so understanding the relationship between them is key.

#Core Countries: 🇨🇳 🇮🇷 🇷🇺 🇳🇬 🇲🇽 🇬🇧

Remember these countries, as you'll need to know their power dynamics inside and out. Let's break it down:

• 1.5: Sources of Power: Where does the power to rule come from in each of these countries? Think constitutions, religions, military, legislatures, and popular support.
• 1.6: Changes in Power: Has the source of power shifted over time? Why? How do these changes compare across countries? We'll be looking for patterns and differences.

#2. Brief History of Each Course Country

Don't worry, you don't need to be a history buff! Just get the gist of how power has evolved in each country. Here are the basics:

#2.1. United Kingdom (UK) 🇬🇧

• Past: Absolute monarchy.

• Present: Power rests with the Prime Minister and Parliament. The monarchy is symbolic. Think of the Magna Carta and the Glorious Revolution as key moments in this shift. It's an evolutionary process.

  

  Queen Elizabeth; image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

  

  Prime Minister Boris Johnson; image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

#2.2. Mexico 🇲🇽

• Past: Military dictatorships, authoritarian regimes.

• Present: Emerging democracy with free elections and rule of law. Think of the 1910 Revolution as a turning point.

  

  President Obrador; image Courtesy of Wikipedia

#2.3. Nigeria 🇳🇬

• Past: British colonialism, military rule.

• Present: Complex mix of Western ideals (rule of law) and military influence. Independence in 1960 was key, but military control remains a factor.

  

  President Buhari; image courtesy of Wikipedia

#2.4. China 🇨🇳

• Past: Dynastic rule, colonialism.

• Present: Communist nation with authoritarian policies. Mao's leadership and Deng Xiaoping's reforms are important here. Political power remains highly centralized.

  

  President Xi; image courtesy of Wikipedia

#2.5. Iran 🇮🇷

• Past: Monarchy, Western-style constitution.

• Present: Theocracy based on Shiism, with religious leaders holding significant power. The 1979 revolution is a major turning point.

  

  Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei; image courtesy of Forbes

  

  Iranian President Rouhani; image courtesy of DW

#2.6. Russia 🇷🇺

• Past: Autocracy under tsars, communist dictatorship.

• Present: Strong presidency with a history of authoritarianism. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of Putin are crucial events.

  

  President Putin; image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

#3. The Different Sources of Power 💪

Here's a breakdown of the sources of power, with examples from our core countries:

• Constitution 📜: The fundamental rules of a state.
  • Example: The UK's constitutional reforms allow for amendments and stability.
• Religion 🕌: A powerful influence that can create values and guide a society.
  • Example: Iran's theocracy is based on Sharia law, influencing daily life.
• Military Forces 🪖: The ability to impose power through control and coercion.
  • Example: Nigeria's military dictatorships have used force to control the population.
• Legislature 📚: The body that shapes the political direction of a nation.
  • Example: Russia's political elite use the legislature to maintain their power.
• Popular Support 💬: The degree to which a person or group is endorsed by the people.
  • Example: Mexico's PRI party used clientelism to boost popular support.

#4. Changes in Source of Power

• UK 🇬🇧: Shift from monarchy to parliament and the people (evolutionary).
• Mexico 🇲🇽 & Nigeria 🇳🇬: Transition from authoritarianism to emerging democracies, with multi-party elections.
• China 🇨🇳: Communist Party's control over the military maintains power.
• Iran 🇮🇷: Shift from a Shah to religious leaders after the 1979 revolution.
• Russia 🇷🇺: Political elite's support of a strong President.

#4.1. Overview of Changes