Topic 1.1 = *copied from the document provided* - **Empirical Data**—Evidence gathered by observation 🔎 or experimentation 🧪, in other words, factual evidence. -my words- facts - **Normative Data**—Evidence that is conceptualized data 📊 in other words, norms, or opinion based on data. -thoughts about the data - **Quantitative Analysis**—A large number of cases that allows the researcher to analyze 🧐 the data through the use of statistical 📊 techniques. (Whew this is a lot to take in! An easier way to think of this would be _quantity_ over _quality_.) -the numbers and graphs - **Qualitative Analysis**—A small number of cases, which is much more limited in terms of statistical evidence, but tends to be more thorough and detailed in terms of subjective analysis. This is a lot of words, so it's easier to remember _quality_ over _quantity_. -personal accounts, speeches, news - **Correlation**—Exists when there is an association between 2️⃣ > variables. -how are things related? - **Causation**—Relationship between cause and effect, in other words what is the cause of something. Extremely difficult to determine with certainty in comparative politics with so many variables that influence items like stability, influence, etc. -how does this **impact** this - **Human Development Index (HDI**)—An index created by the United Nations. Summarizes measures of average achievement in key dimensions in human development (like schooling 🎒, life expectancy 👶🏼, and income 💰) If you want to explore the Human Development Index further [**here is a helpful link.**](http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/human-development-index-hdi) - **Gini Index**—Shows income inequality within a country. Familiarize yourself with the Gini Index [**as well as using this link.**](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI) - **Gross Domestic Product (GDP)**—Market value of a goods and services produced. If you want to learn a lot more about GDP 🤑 and learn how to calculate GDP 💸 [**I recommend this website.**](https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/what-is-gdp/) Unit 2 = Legislative branch- part of government responsible for writing laws and major policies Executive branch- part of government responsible for implementing laws through the government's bureaucracy Judicial branch- part of government responsible for hearing cases and applying and interpreting laws Head of State- executive leader who represents a nation in ceremonial functions; in some governments can also have formal powers to shape foreign policy Head of Government- executive leader sometimes known as a chief executive who formulates, implements and enforces policies through the cabinet and different agencies Parliamentary systems when a national legislature has combined lawmaking and executive functions with the power to select and remove a prime minister who acts as head of government* Presidential systems when separate election processes are used in the selection of the president and the national legislature; president serves as head of state and head of government who oversees the bureaucratic implementation of executive regulations and laws written by the legislature.* Semi-presidential systems when separate election processes are used in the selection of the president and the national legislature; president serves as head of state and selects the head of government, with the legislature 's approval, to shape policies and implement the legislature 's laws. Executive term limits institutional constraints on the length of time a head of state or head of government can serve in office. The United Kingdom is the only AP Comparative country with no formal executive term limit on its head of state and head of government. Fixed-term election system in which elections for public officials take place on a regularly announced established date Executive bureaucracy is the system of governmental agencies that implement executive regulations and laws written by the legislature Question Time allows majority members of a legislature to indicate representation of the interest of their constituencies (districts) and allows the opposition party to verbally challenge the majority party governance and policy making.* Executive cabinet- top governmental officials in charge of formulating, implementing, and enforcing policy through different methods and bureaucratic agencies Commander in chief- top governmental official in charge of decisions pertaining to the military Prime minister- when the leader of the national legislature is also the head of government who is in charge of formulating, implementing, and enforcing policy through different methods and bureaucratic agencies Civil Service- permanent members of bureaucratic agencies who implement laws and governmental regulations Unicameral legislative structure that consists of one chamber of representatives Bicameral legislative structure that consists of two chambers of representatives Unit 3 = **Civil Society** can be defined as the collective action of a state’s citizens based upon shared interests, purposes, and values. Rule of Law - the state or nation is held to the same standards and law as the citizens are Rule by Law - the law is used to enforce the power and authority of the state Civil Liberties: fundamental freedoms such as speech, religion, press Civil Rights: enacted legal protections to ensure the liberties