A state is the political organization that has a permanent population, a defined territory, governing institutions, and international recognition—basically the legal and physical framework that claims sovereignty, enforces order (monopoly of violence), and governs territory (PAU-1.A.2, PAU-1.A.4). A government is the specific set of institutions or people legally empowered to make binding decisions for that state at a given time (PAU-1.A.4). Think of the state as the “container” (sovereignty, territory, citizens) and the government as the current “team running it.” Governments change (elections, coups); regimes are the deeper rules about who gets power and how (democratic vs. authoritarian) and usually outlast a single government (PAU-1.A.2–1.A.3). This distinction shows up on the exam in concept questions and FRQs—review Topic 1.2 on Fiveable (study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

Think of it like layers: the state is the permanent organization (territory, population, sovereignty). The regime is the set of fundamental rules and norms that determine who gets power and how it’s exercised—it endures across different governments (e.g., democratic or authoritarian rules, rule of law, who’s allowed to vote). The government is the current people and institutions legally empowered to make binding decisions (the president, cabinet, legislature) that operate within the regime’s rules. So: regimes = the long-lasting “rules of the game” (legitimacy, how power’s accessed); governments = the current players who use power; states = the broader institutional entity with sovereignty. This distinction shows up on AP tasks (FRQ 1-style: define/compare concepts). Review the CED terms and examples in the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and try related practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government) to solidify it.

A country is sovereign when its state has independent legal authority over a permanent population and defined territory—meaning it can make and enforce laws without outside interference (this is central to PAU-1.A.4). Sovereignty matters because it gives the government legitimate authority to collect taxes, enforce laws, run foreign policy, and hold a monopoly of violence (control over security forces). Whether a regime is democratic or authoritarian affects how that authority is used, but both rely on sovereignty to function. On the AP exam you should link sovereignty to related CED terms like state, regime, government, legitimacy, territoriality, and monopoly of violence. Want to drill this? Check the Topic 1.2 study guide on Fiveable (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government) to apply examples.

Ask whether the regime’s rules enable citizen control and competition. Democracies: power is exercised through free, regular, and competitive elections; leaders can be removed peacefully; civil liberties (free press, assembly, speech) and rule of law constrain rulers; institutions show accountability and transparency—which builds legitimacy. Authoritarian regimes: power is concentrated, access to office is restricted (no real competition), elections—if held—aren’t free or don’t allow alternation of power; civil liberties and pluralism are limited, and rule of law is weak or used to protect rulers. To classify a regime, check: 1) how leaders are chosen and replaced, 2) whether civil liberties exist, 3) if institutions (courts, legislature, media) hold leaders accountable, and 4) whether laws apply equally. The AP CED expects you to use these concepts (regime, legitimacy, rule of law, civil liberties) when describing differences (see Topic 1.2 study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9). For more practice, try Fiveable’s unit review and 1,000+ practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1; https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

A state is a political organization with a permanent population, a defined territory, governing institutions, and sovereignty—meaning it has the legal right to make and enforce rules without outside interference (CED PAU-1.A.2 & PAU-1.A.4). A nation is a group of people who share common identity traits (language, culture, ethnicity, religion, or political aspirations) but not necessarily a territory (CED PAU-1.A.5). So: a state = legal/political entity (territory + institutions + sovereignty); a nation = social/cultural group. When they overlap you get a nation-state (one dominant national group controls a sovereign state). AP tip: FRQs often ask you to define and compare these terms—use CED keywords like sovereignty, territory, population, legitimacy. For more review, see the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

A “nation” is a group of people with shared identity (language, ethnicity, religion, etc.), while a “state” is a political organization with a permanent population, defined territory, governing institutions, and sovereignty (PAU-1.A.2–1.4). Some nations don’t have their own states because their people are spread inside other states (lack of a distinct territory), were colonized or absorbed into existing states, or face international barriers to recognition. Other reasons: the state that contains them resists secession, global actors won’t grant sovereignty, or the group lacks the capacity (institutions/monopoly of violence) to form a viable state. This difference—nation vs. state—is something the exam checks under Topic 1.2 (PAU-1.A). For a quick refresher, see the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and more unit review (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1). Practice questions are at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

A political system is defined by a set of rules, institutions, and ideas that decide who has authority and how government affects people and the economy (CED PAU-1.A.1). Key characteristics to know for AP Comp Gov: - Rules and procedures: laws, constitutions, electoral rules (regime-level: democratic vs. authoritarian control of access to power, PAU-1.A.3). - Institutions: the government (people/institutions legally empowered to make binding decisions, PAU-1.A.4) and other political bodies. - State features: permanent population, defined territory, sovereignty, international recognition, monopoly of violence/authority, territoriality (PAU-1.A.2, PAU-1.A.4). - Legitimacy and rule of law: whether citizens accept authority and laws are applied fairly. - Nation and identity: shared culture or political identity can shape state stability and citizen claims (PAU-1.A.5). This is often tested on definitions and comparisons on the exam—review the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

Regimes stay in power across changing governments because they’re the deeper “rules of the game” (CED: regimes = fundamental rules). Even if leaders or parties change, institutions, sources of legitimacy, and coercive capacity keep the regime stable. Key mechanisms: durable institutions (constitutions, courts, party structures), monopoly of violence and strong security forces, elite co-optation or patronage networks, control of political recruitment (who gets to run), ideological legitimacy or performance legitimacy (economic benefits), and legal/administrative routines (rule of law or its selective use). Authoritarian regimes rely more on coercion, co-optation, and limited political openings; democracies rely on elections, rule-bound transfers, and citizen legitimacy. For AP FRQs, use concepts like legitimacy, sovereignty, monopoly of violence, and authority to explain continuity. Review Topic 1.2 study guide for examples and framing (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

Yes—those are different concepts, so you can have one without the other. A state (CED: permanent population, defined territory, governing institutions, sovereignty) can exist without a single nation—meaning no common national identity. Many multinational states (like Nigeria or Russia) contain multiple ethnic/religious groups that don’t share a single nationhood; the state still exercises sovereignty and a monopoly of violence, but national identity is fragmented. Conversely, a nation (a group with shared language, culture, religion, or political identity) can exist without a state. Kurds and Palestinians are classic examples: they’re nations (shared identity and aspirations) but lack a fully sovereign, internationally recognized state. That gap fuels self-determination claims and regime/state tensions. This distinction is CED PAU-1.A territory: useful on the exam for questions about nationalism, legitimacy, and sovereignty. Review Topic 1.2 on Fiveable (study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and practice Qs (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

International recognition means other states and international organizations accept an entity as a sovereign state—i.e., it has a permanent population, a defined territory, governing institutions, and the capacity to enter relations with other states. Recognition gives a state legal standing in diplomacy, trade, and international law and helps protect its sovereignty (the right to govern without outside interference). Without recognition, a government may control territory but lack legitimacy abroad, face limits on treaties, aid, or UN membership, and struggle to enforce rights across borders. For AP purposes, remember the CED definition of a state includes “international recognition” (PAU-1.A.2) and ties directly to sovereignty and legitimacy (PAU-1.A.4). Want a concise refresher? Check the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) or the unit overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1). For extra practice, use Fiveable’s practice question bank (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

Authority is the legal right to make binding decisions (who can govern—e.g., a president, parliament, or monarch). Legitimacy is the acceptance by citizens (why people obey). A state’s government has authority because institutions are empowered by the regime and constitution; it gains legitimacy when people believe that power is rightful (elections, rule of law, performance). Authoritarian regimes rely more on coercion and controlled institutions to enforce authority; democracies rely more on legitimacy (consent, civil liberties) to stabilize rule. Both affect sovereignty: a state needs authority (monopoly of violence, territory) plus enough legitimacy to avoid constant unrest. On the AP exam, Big Idea 1 (Power & Authority) and Big Idea 2 (Legitimacy & Stability) ask you to connect these concepts—use examples and link authority → policies and legitimacy → citizen support. Review Topic 1.2 on Fiveable (study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and drill practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

Authoritarian regimes: power is concentrated, civil liberties are limited, and the regime (rules for who holds power) endures across governments. Clear examples: China (single-party, limited political pluralism, high state control), Iran (theocratic-authoritarian—unelected Supreme Leader with strong veto power over elected bodies), and Russia (competitive-authoritarian traits: elections exist but opposition and media are constrained). These use coercive power and weak rule of law to maintain control. Democratic regimes: authority is derived from popular legitimacy, regular competitive elections, protected civil liberties, and rule of law. Examples: the United Kingdom (parliamentary democracy, strong civil liberties), Mexico (electoral democracy with a history of peaceful transfers of power), and Nigeria (formal democratic institutions—though with challenges such as corruption and instability). Regimes here set rules that allow citizen control of the political agenda. For AP prep, focus on how regimes differ in legitimacy, monopoly of violence, and rule of law (CED PAU-1.A.3, PAU-1.A.4). More review in the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and extra practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

Start with a clear thesis that says which kinds of political organizations you’re comparing (state, regime, government, nation) and what criterion you’ll use (legitimacy, monopoly of violence, sovereignty, or democratic vs. authoritarian rules). First paragraph: define each term using CED language (state = territory + population + institutions; regime = rules for access to power; government = current officeholders; nation = people with shared identity). Then for 2–3 body paragraphs, apply the same criteria to each object you compare (e.g., how regimes vs. governments establish legitimacy, how states claim sovereignty and monopoly of violence). Use at least two specific country examples as evidence and explain how each example supports your claim (this mirrors FRQ expectations for comparison and reasoning). End with a short synthesis and a brief alternate perspective or limitation. For topic review, see the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9), the unit overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1), and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

If a state loses sovereignty—its independent legal authority to make and enforce rules over a territory—it stops being fully “in charge.” Practically, that can mean: foreign powers or international organizations control policy (occupation, protectorate, or de facto administration); the government becomes a puppet or is replaced; the state loses monopoly of violence (armed groups or foreign troops enforce order); laws and borders aren’t respected (annexation, contested territory, or loss of international recognition); public services and legitimacy collapse, producing refugees and economic breakdown. On the AP CED this ties to sovereignty, monopoly of violence, territoriality, and legitimacy. For more on these definitions and examples, check the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9). Want practice questions to drill this concept? Try the AP practice set (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).

Regimes last longer than individual governments because regimes are the underlying rules and norms that structure who holds power and how it’s exercised, while governments are the specific people or institutions in office at any one time. Regimes (democratic or authoritarian) shape institutions, laws, legitimacy, and procedures that persist across different administrations, so a government can change without altering the regime’s basic rules (PAU-1.A.2–1.A.4). Regimes also build sources of stability—legal frameworks, monopoly of violence, and legitimacy—that reduce the chance of sudden systemic change. On the AP exam, you’ll need to contrast regime (enduring rules) vs. government (temporary officeholders) and tie that to concepts like legitimacy and sovereignty (CED PAU-1.A). For a quick review, check the Topic 1.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comparative-government/unit-1/defining-political-institutions/study-guide/D5uQ32bASrz9bqp3JcW9) and try practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-comparative-government).