AP Comparative GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS
2014-2015
Course Overview
This course is designed to provide students with the conceptual tools necessary to
develop an understanding of some of the world’s diverse political structures and
practices. We will examine six countries in detail: China, Great Britain, Russia, Mexico,
Nigeria, and Iran. These countries are taught because they are excellent examples of the
six core topics of a comparative course. These topics include methodology, power,
institutional structure, civil society, political/economic change and public policy.
Please note that the 2015 Advanced Placement Examination in AP
Comparative Government and Politics takes place on May 14 (Thursday)
in the morning. The examination has two parts. The objective question
(i.e., multiple choice) section consists of 60 questions, is 45-minutes long,
and has a weight of one-half. The free-response section consists of five
short answer and 3 free-response questions (one of these FRQs is purely
conceptual-meaning not country specific-while the other two are country
specific, with at least one requiring charts and graphs, is 100-minutes long
(25 minutes for the five short answer and 25 minutes for each FRQ), and
has a weight of one-half.
Your grade will be based on daily work, conduct, class participation, homework, tests,
quizzes, the semester exam, and assigned projects (please see details below).
Assessments: Tests and quizzes will consist of identification, multiple choice, short
answer and/or essay questions. Tests will be announced and there will be quiz EACH
week over the assigned reading. Various projects will be assigned throughout the
semester. Please note that there will be a test, consisting of multiple-choice and at
least one free response question, at the conclusion of each chapter/topic.
Semester Exam: During finals week students will take a simulated AP US Government
exam.
Tutorials: Please see the instructor for extra help if you are having trouble learning the
material. It is crucial that you do this early in the semester so that you do not fall behind.
Again, please see the instructor for help if needed. I am happy to assist you and very
much want you to succeed!
Absences: Please see the instructor’s web page and the instructor should you miss
assignments, tests, and quizzes due to absences.
Course Materials
Assigned Textbook: Kesselman, Mark., Joel Krieger, and William Joseph. Introduction
to Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and Changing Agendas, Boston, MA:
Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2013.
Instructor assigned articles from: the BBC, the Economist, the New York Times, the
Washington Post, The Atlantic, Journal of Democracy, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs,
and others as appropriate.
Course Outline
The following is a listing of topics/sample readings. Please consult your assignment
calendar for specific due dates of actual assignments
Introduction to Comparative Politics (Weeks 1–2)
A. Reasons for Comparison
B. Methods of Comparison
1.) Normative/empirical, direct/inverse relationships, correlation/causation
2.) Issues to Compare
3.) Democracy/authoritarian, unitary/federal, presidential/parliamentary
4.) SMD/proportional, pluralism/corporatism, merit/patronage,
OECD/LDC, modernization/globalization/fragmentation, judicial
autonomy
5.) Sources of Sovereignty, Authority and Power
Readings
-Kesselman: Chapter 1: Seeking New Lands, Seeing with New Eyes (voc) Chapter 2:
Industrialized Democracies (voc)
-Democratization Briefing Paper with questions
-“The Mountain Man and the Surgeon”, Economist 12/20/05
-“Democracy as a Universal Value”, Journal of Democracy, 7/99
Activities
1. Using CIA World Factbook, Freedom House website, the Economist website, construct
comparison chart featuring population, territory, HDI, GDP, PPP, six countries and the
United States. Analyze relationships using methods.
2. Using textbook, complete chart comparing six countries and United States on issues.
Assessment
Test: 50 multiple-choice questions, short answers, and interpretive Essay.
Great Britain (Weeks 3-4)
1. Historical Foundations: constitutionalism, Legitimacy, Nation/State,
Liberal Democracy
2. British citizens, Society, and the state: Demographics, Cleavages, Civil
Society
3. Political Institutions: Political Parties/Elections, Westminister Model
4. Role of E.U.: Sovereignty
5. Public Policy: Thatcherism, N. Ireland, Role of NHS, Immigration,
Terrorism
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:





Differentiate between parliamentary and presidential systems
Distinguish between unitary and federal political systems.
Distinguish between head of state and head of government
Explain why the prime minister is considered to be the “first among equals”
Define collective responsibility





















Define constitutional democracy
Describe the three branches of government and other basic political institutions
and their major functions and power
Explain the powers and role of the bureaucracy
Describe how the iron triangle applies to British politics by using specific
examples
Describe the legal system and the extent of judicial independence
Identify and describe the sources of authority, political power, and governance
Trace the watershed events in the United Kingdom's evolutionary democracy
Identify and explain Britain’s political, economic and social sources of legitimacy
Explain the specific agents of socialization as they apply to the United Kingdom
Discuss the social, political, and economic challenges currently facing the United
Kingdom and the associated policies implemented or proposed to address them
Understand how political elites are recruited and interests are aggregated and
articulated
Discuss how the five-stage policy process operates in Britain
Explain how the political parties, interest groups, NGOs (non-governmental
organizations), and political actors have impacted political life in the United
Kingdom
Describe the basic political tenets of Britain’s major political parties
Describe how the Britain’s democracy compares with other democracies
Describe the impact ethnicity has had on British politics
Explain the ways in which women and ethnic, religious, regional and
socioeconomic groups articulate their interests
Explain how the British participate in politics
Evaluate the political efficacy of women and ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic
groups
Identify and describe the major political actors and their offices
Understand immigration’s impact on Great Britain
Class Activities and Projects:
 Mock Parliament
 Political parties position papers
Reading








Hauss: Chapter 4: Great Britain (voc)
A Revised British Constitution: Tony Blair's Lasting Legacy?, Donley T.
Studlar, McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Learning Series, 2007
Who Killed the British Prime Minister? The Economist, September 14, 2006
Electoral Politics in the United Kingdom,Donley T. Studlar, McGrawHill/Contemporary Learning Series, 2007
“A Constitutional Revolution in Britain.” Donley T. Studlar 2006
“Weighing the Votes: Why the Electoral System Favours Labour.” Annual
Editions
“The British General Election of 2005.” Donley T. Studlar AE
“The Strange Tale of Tony Blair.”
Activities
1. Watch current Prime Minister’s Question Hour (C-SPAN)
2. PM Question Time Simulation: Party and Topic to be assigned.
3. Analyze recent election returns for trends.
Assessment Test
50 multiple-choice questions and short-answer (ID and interpretive essay)
European Union (Weeks 5-6)
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:




















Highlight the watershed events in the history of the European Union
Identify and describe the sources of authority, political power, and governance
Describe the three branches of government and other basic political institutions
and their major functions and power
Explain the powers and role of the bureaucracy
Describe how the iron triangle applies to EU politics by using specific examples
Describe the legal system and the extent of judicial independence
Discuss how the European Union has gained and lost legitimacy over time
Discuss the social, political, and economic challenges currently facing the
European Union and the associated policies implemented or proposed to address
them
Understand how political elites are recruited and interests are aggregated and
articulated
Discuss how the five-stage policy process operates in the European Union
Explain how European citizens participate in EU politics
Discuss how the political parties, interest groups, NGOs (non-governmental
organizations), and political actors impact political life in the European Union
Define supranational organizations
Compare and contrast the European Union with other supranational organizations
Discuss how the EU and other supranational organizations affect the domestic and
international policies of the core countries
Describe the impact of ethnicity had on the European Union's politics
Explain the ways in which women and ethnic, religious, regional and
socioeconomic groups articulate their interests
Evaluate the political efficacy of women and ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic
groups
Identify and explain the European Union’s political, economic and social sources
of legitimacy
Explain the specific agents of socialization as they apply to the European Union
Reading
 Kesselman: Chapter 9: Iran
Videos:
 “The European Union (selected segments).” Delegation of the European
Commission. 2004
Russia (Weeks 7-8)
1. Historical Foundations: Soviet Union/Russia, glasnost, post-Cold War
2. Russian Citizens, Society, and the State
3. Political Institutions: President/PM, Illiberal Democracy
4. Policy: G8, Chechnya
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:


























Explain Russia’s hybrid presidential system and explain the rationale for its use
Explain the basic tenets of Marxism
Explain the basic tenets of Leninism and Stalinism
Compare Marxism to Russia's Marxism-Leninism and Stalinism
Explain how Russia's 20th and 21st century history influenced its current attempts
at democracy
Describe Russia’s 1917 revolution
Describe the three branches of government and other basic political institutions
and their major functions and power
Explain the powers and role of the bureaucracy
Describe how the iron triangle applies to Russian politics by using specific
examples
Describe the legal system and the extent of judicial independence
Identify and describe the sources of authority, political power, and governance
Understand how political elites are recruited and interests are aggregated and
articulated
Discuss how the five-stage policy process operates in Russia
Explain how Russians participate in politics
Describe the social, political, and economic challenges currently facing Russia
and the associated policies implemented or proposed to address them
Describe the basic political tenets of Russia’s major political parties
Explain how political parties, interest groups, NGOs (non-governmental
organizations), and political actors have impacted political life in Russia
Compare Russia's political culture with other countries
Describe the impact ethnicity has had on Russia's politics
Explain the ways in which women and ethnic, religious, regional and
socioeconomic groups articulate their interests
Evaluate the political efficacy of women and ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic
groups
Identify and explain Russia’s political, economic, and social sources of legitimacy
Explain the specific agents of socialization as they apply to Russia
Understand how personal politics and informal means of power play a role in
Russian politics
Understand the characteristics of a centrally planned/command economy
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of a centrally planned/command
economy
Reading
 Kesselman: Chapter 4: Russia
 Communist Manifesto Karl Marx and Frederich Engels
 “Putin Gambles on Raw Power.”Steven Lee Myers
 “What Does Putin Want?” Peter Lavelle
 Smith, Tony. Thinking Like a Communist: State and Legitimacy in the Soviet
Union, China, and Cuba. Norton, NY: 1987.
 “Vladimir Who?”, Economist 2/9/06
 “The Kremlin’s Control Freak”, Economist 9/16/04
 “The Shock of the Old”, Economist 1/20/05
 “Still Calling for Help (Chechnya)”, Economist 1/13/05
Videos:
 “Yeltsin,” A & E Biography
 “Putin, Democrat or Dictator?” 60-Minutes Interview
Activities
1. Watch movie clip on Russian Revolution (People’s Century).
2. Watch movie clip on Gorbachev coup attempt (ABC special).
3. Complete comparison chart of institutions/policies between
USSR/Russia.
4. Complete comparison chart of Russia/Iran/Great Britain.
5. Class Debate: “Should Russia be in the G8?”
6. Analyze recent election results for trends.
7. Evaluate economic indicators.
Assessment
Test: 60 multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions
(ID and interpretive essay)
China (weeks 9-10)
1. Historical Foundations: Revolution, Cultural Revolution, Economic
Modernization
2. Chinese Society: Rich/Poor Cleavages
3. Political Institutions: Guanxi, Corruption, Mass Line, Democratic
Centralism
4. Policy: Privatization, Google, Falun Gong, Taiwan and Tibet
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:















Describe the basic structures and functions of China’s political system.
Describe the three branches of government and other basic political institutions
and their major functions and power
Explain the powers and role of the bureaucracy
Describe how the iron triangle applies to Chinese politics by using specific
examples
Describe the legal system and the extent of judicial independence
Describe the political philosophy and ideologies of the CCP
Explain the contributions of China’s major leaders.
Assess political performance and results of China’s leaders
Identify and describe the sources of authority, political power, and governance
Understand how political elites are recruited and interests are aggregated and
articulated
Explain how Chinese participate in politics
Discuss how the five-stage policy process operates in China
Describe the China’s political culture and political values.
Explain the interactions between important politically relevant groups and
individuals that influence the China’s policies.
Describe and understand the historical events that have impacted and aided in the
establishment of current political institutions in China.



























Describe and assess China’s transformation of its economic systems from a
centrally-planned to a capitalist system.
Describe how China’s ancient history influenced its history in the 20th century.
Explain how Mao influenced modern Chinese politics.
Compare Marxism and Maoism.
Compare the Chinese Communist Party’s ideology compare to Maoism and
Marxism.
Describe the impact has geography and population have on Chinese politics.
Compare the accomplishment of recent leaders to Mao.
Asses Chinas’ level of democracy.
Explain how China is politically organized nationally, regionally, and locally.
Understand the role the “democratic” parties play in Chinese politics.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of China’s economic model.
Understand why China’s conviction rate is almost 100%.
Explore how China’s judicial system is reforming.
Explain the progress minorities and women have made in Chinese politics and
discuss what still needs to be done.
Describe the impact ethnicity has had on Chinese politics
Explain the ways in which women and ethnic, religious, regional and
socioeconomic groups articulate their interests
Evaluate the political efficacy of women and ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic
groups
Explain how Chinese participate in politics
Explain how China has controlled the military.
Explain the role of the press in China’s politics.
Describe China’s role in globalization.
Explain the relationship between China and Taiwan.
Identify and explain China’s political, economic and social sources of legitimacy
Explain the specific agents of socialization as they apply to the United Kingdom
Explain the social, political, and economic challenges currently facing China and
the associated policies implemented or proposed to address them
Understand how personal politics and informal means of power play a role in
Chinese politics
Explain the role of the People’s Liberation Army
Reading
 Kesselman: Chapter 8: China
 Great Leap Forward,” Economist 9/30/04
 “China: The Quiet Revolution.” Doug Guthrie
 “China's Leader, Ex-Rival At Side, Solidifies Power.” Joseph Kahn
 Smith, Tony. Thinking Like a Communist: State and Legitimacy
in the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba. Norton, NY: 1987.
 “China: The Quiet Revolution.” Doug Guthrie
 ““Country Profile: China.” BBC
 “Worried in Beijing, ”Economist 8/5/99
 “China’s Intolerance of Dissent, ” BBC 3/8/05
Activities
1. Watch movie clip on Chinese Revolution (People’s Century)
2. Watch movie clip on Tiananmen Square (ABC special)
3. Watch movie on China’s economy (Wall Street Journal)
4. Create comparison chart for China/Russia/Iran/GB
5. Class Simulation: CCP leading small group economic proposals
6. Analyze and evaluate economic indicator data
Assessment
Test: 60 mulitple-choice and short-answer questions (ID and essay)
Iran (Weeks 11-12)
1. Historical Foundations: Revolution (Political Change)
2. Iranian Citizens, Society, and the State: Globalization/Fragmentation
3. Political Institutions: Role of Islam, Theocracy
4. Policy: Petropolitics, Nuclear Weapons, Iraq
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
























Describe the basic structures and functions of the political system of Iran.
Identify and describe the sources of authority, political power, and governance
Describe the three branches of government and other basic political institutions
and their major functions and power
Explain the powers and role of the bureaucracy
Describe how the iron triangle applies to Iranian politics by using specific
examples
Describe the legal system and the extent of judicial independence
Understand how political elites are recruited and interests are aggregated and
articulated
Describe the variation of political philosophies and ideologies in Iran.
Recognize the important people in leadership positions in Iran.
Describe the political culture, and political values in Iran.
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of democracy for Iran
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of parliamentary and presidential
political systems for Iran.
Explain the interactions between important politically relevant groups and
individuals that influence Iranian politics.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of federalism for Iran.
Describe and understand the historical events that have impacted and aided in the
establishment of current political institutions in Iran.
Describe the impact ethnicity has had on Iranian politics
Explain the ways in which women and ethnic, religious, regional and
socioeconomic groups articulate their interests
Discuss how the five-stage policy process operates in Iran
Evaluate the political efficacy of women and ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic
groups
Explain how Iranians participate in politics
Describe the basic political tenets of Iran’s major political parties
Identify and explain Iran’s political, economic, social sources of legitimacy
Explain the specific agents of socialization as they apply to Iran
Explain the social, political, and economic challenges currently facing Iran and
the associated policies implemented or proposed to address them



Understand how personal politics and informal means of power play a role in
Iranian politics
Describe Iran’s 1979 revolution and compare with Mexico’s Chiapas Revolt of
1994 and China’s 1989 Tiananmen crisis
Compare Iran’s 1979 revolution with Russia’s 1917 revolution
Outside Readings:
 Kesselman: Chapter 7: Iran
 “The True Clash of Civilizations.” Ronald Inglehart And Pippa Norris
 “Middle East Democracy.” Marina Ottaway And Thomas Carothers
 “Bin Laden, The Arab "Street," And The Middle East's Democracy Deficit.” Dale
F. Eickelman
 Hiron, Dilip. The Iranian Labyrinth: Journeys Through Theocratic Iran and Its
Furies, Nation Books: 2005.
 “Victory for a Religious Hardliner in Iran,” Economist 6/27/05
 “As Iran Presses Its Ambitions, Its Young See Theirs Denied,” Washington Post
4/24/06
Activities
1. Watch movie on Iranian Revolution (PBS)
2. Complete comparison chart for Great Britain and Iran.
3. Class Debate: “Should Iran develop nuclear weapons?”
4. Analyze recent election returns for trends.
5. Evaluate economic indicators.
Assessment
Test: 60 multiple-choice questions and short answer (ID and essay)
Nigeria (Weeks 13-14)
1. Historical Foundations: Colonialism, Military Coups, Authority
2. Nigerian Citizens, Society, and the State
3. Political Institutions
4. Public Policy: Corruption, Terrorism, Poverty, Oil
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:











Discuss different theoretical approaches to development
Explain how democracy has helped and hindered Nigeria’s development.
Understand how politics operates in Nigeria’s authoritarian political climate.
Identify and describe the sources of authority, political power, and governance
Describe the basic political tenets of Nigeria’s major political parties
Describe the basic structures and functions of the political system of Nigeria.
Describe the legal system and the extent of judicial independence
Describe the three branches of government and other basic political institutions
and their major functions and power
Explain the powers and role of the bureaucracy
Describe how the iron triangle applies to Nigerian politics by using specific
examples
Understand how political elites are recruited and interests are aggregated and
articulated
























Discuss how the five-stage policy process operates in Nigeria
Describe the variation of political philosophies and ideologies in Nigeria.
Recognize the important personages in leadership positions in Nigeria.
Describe the political culture, and political values in Nigeria.
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of democracy for Nigeria
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of parliamentary and presidential
political systems for Nigeria.
Explain the interactions between important politically relevant groups and
individuals that influence Nigerian politics.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of federalism for Nigeria.
Describe and understand the historical events that have impacted and aided in the
establishment of current political institutions Nigeria.
Describe the major political parties in Nigeria
Describe the internal and external effects of nationalism
Describe the impact ethnicity has had on Nigerian politics
Explain the ways in which women and ethnic, religious, regional and
socioeconomic groups articulate their interests
Evaluate the political efficacy of women and ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic
groups
Explain how Nigerians participate in politics
Discuss the significance of state-owned and operated industries in the countries.
Describe Nigeria's recurrent transitions from military to civilian rule.
Explain how democracy has helped and hindered Nigeria’s development.
Understand how politics operates in Nigeria’s authoritarian political climate.
Identify and explain Nigeria’s political, economic, and social sources of
legitimacy
Explain the specific agents of socialization as they apply to Nigeria
Explain the social, political, and economic challenges currently facing Nigeria
and the associated policies implemented or proposed to address them
Understand how personal politics and informal means of power play a role in
Nigerian politics
Explain the role of the military in Nigerian politics
Reading
 Kesselman: Chapter 6: Nigeria
 “Nigeria: Chronicle of a Dying State.” Ike Okonta
 “A Spectre of Turmoil and Conflict”, Economist 2/23/06
 Oladimeji Aborisade and Robert Mundt, 2002. Politics in Nigeria, 2/E. Longman
[PIN]
Suberu, Rotimi. 2001. Federalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nigeria.
Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace. [excerpts]
 http://nigeriaworld.com
 Kenyatta, Jomo. Gentlemen of the Jungle.

Mexico (Weeks 15-16)
1. Historical Foundations
2. Mexican Citizens, Society, and the State
3. Political Institutions: Camarilla, Corporatism, Legitimate Elections
4. Public Policy: NAFTA, Chiapas, Immigration, Structural
Adjustment
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
 Describe the basic structures and functions of the political system of Mexico.
 Identify and describe the sources of authority, political power, and governance
 Describe the three branches of government and other basic political institutions
and their major functions and power
 Explain the powers and role of the bureaucracy
 Describe how the iron triangle applies to Mexican politics by using specific
examples
 Understand how political elites are recruited and interests are aggregated and
articulated
 Describe the legal system and the extent of judicial independence
 Describe the variation of political philosophies and ideologies in Mexico.
 Recognize the important people in leadership positions in Mexico.
 Describe the political culture, and political values in Mexico.
 Understand the advantages and disadvantages of democracy for Mexico
 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of parliamentary and presidential
political systems for Mexico.
 Explain the interactions between important politically relevant groups and
individuals that influence Mexican politics.
 Describe the impact ethnicity has had on Mexican politics
 Explain the ways in which women and ethnic, religious, regional and
socioeconomic groups articulate their interests
 Evaluate the political efficacy of women and ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic
groups
 Explain how Mexicans participate in politics
 Discuss how the five-stage policy process operates in Mexico
 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of federalism for Mexico.
 Describe and understand the historical events that have impacted and aided in the
establishment of current political institutions Mexico.
 Describe the basic political tenets of Mexico’s major political parties
 Identify and explain Mexico’s political, economic, and social sources of
legitimacy
 Explain the specific agents of socialization as they apply to Mexico
 Explain the social, political, and economic challenges currently facing Mexico
and the associated policies implemented or proposed to address them
 Understand how personal politics and informal means of power play a role in
Mexican politics
 Describe the Chiapas Revolt of 1994 and compare with China’s 1989 Tiananmen
crisis
Reading
• Kesselman: Chapter 5: Mexico
• Briefing paper on Mexico with questions
• “Redrawing the Federal Map”, Economist 3/27/03
•
•
•
•
•
“Putting The Brakes on Change”, Economist 7/10/03
“At Least I’m No Dictator, says Mr. Fox”, Economist 9/8/05
“The Sinking of a Flagship”, Economist 2/23/06
“The War on the Border Streets,” Economist 6/30/05
“A Few Shots at Power”, Economist 9/18/03
Activities
-Watch movie on Mexican economy (Wall Street Journal).
-Create comparison chart for Mexico/China/Russia/Iran/Great Britain.
-Analyze recent political election data for trends.
-Evaluate economic indicator data.
Assessment
Test: 60 multiple-choice with short answers (ID and essay)
V. Final Comparisons (Weeks 17-18)
A. Compare six comparative government countries and United States to review
for AP Exam
Activities
1. Country Group presentations/discussion
2. Complete final comparison charts
Assessment
Test: 60 multiple-choice questions and short answers
(ID and essay)
V. Final Comparisons (Weeks 15–16)
A. Compare six comparative government countries and United States to review for AP
Exam
Activities
1. Country Group presentations/discussion
2. Complete final comparison charts
Assessment
Final Exam: To be taken before the national AP Comparative Government and Politics
Exam scheduled for May 14 (as usual AP style test questions, both MC and ID/FRQ.