AP Comparative Government and Politics Practice Test (2026)

Which of the following best describes the relationship between a state, a regime, and a government?

Which of the following is a key characteristic of an authoritarian regime?

A state's ability to carry out actions or policies within its territory independently from external actors or internal rivals is known as:

Since the late 1970s, the Chinese Communist Party has justified its continued monopoly on political power primarily by pointing to rapid economic growth, rising living standards, and expanded infrastructure. This approach most directly reflects which source of legitimacy?

Which of the following best distinguishes a 'nation' from a 'state'?

In a parliamentary system, the head of government is typically the:

Country X, a newly established democracy, has recently seen a significant increase in public protests and demonstrations. Citizens are expressing widespread dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the economy, rising corruption, and perceived lack of responsiveness to public needs. Despite regular elections, many citizens feel their votes do not translate into meaningful change.

Based on the provided information, the increasing public dissatisfaction and protests in Country X most directly challenge the government's:

National Observer (reporting on Country Y's recent election): 'Country Y held its fifth consecutive quadrennial presidential election on Sunday. The ruling National Unity Party won 71 percent of the reported vote, and international observers confirmed that polling stations opened on schedule in most districts. However, the country's three largest independent newspapers have been closed or placed under state administration in the past eighteen months, two opposition parties have been deregistered on procedural grounds, and the Constitutional Court ruled last year that judges criticizing government policy may be removed from office. Civil-society groups report that the Public Gatherings Act has been used to disperse nearly all large opposition protests since 2019.'

Based on the information in the report, Country Y's political system is most consistent with which of the following descriptions?

Which of the following best defines political power?

“The belief in the sanctity of age-old rules and powers is the most widespread basis of legitimacy. It is the basis of the acceptance of the authority of the 'eternal yesterday.'” — Max Weber, 'Economy and Society'

Based on the provided quote, which type of political legitimacy is being described by Max Weber?

Which of the following is a common challenge to state sovereignty posed by globalization?

The primary purpose of comparative government and politics is to:

Country A: GDP per capita: $50,000; Gini Index: 0.25; Political Rights: 7/7 (most free); Civil Liberties: 7/7 (most free) Country B: GDP per capita: $15,000; Gini Index: 0.45; Political Rights: 3/7; Civil Liberties: 4/7 Country C: GDP per capita: $8,000; Gini Index: 0.60; Political Rights: 1/7 (least free); Civil Liberties: 1/7 (least free) (Note: Gini Index measures income inequality, with 0 being perfect equality and 1 being perfect inequality. Political Rights and Civil Liberties scores are from Freedom House, with 7 being most free and 1 being least free.)

Based on the data provided, which country is most likely to be an authoritarian regime with high levels of political instability due to economic inequality?

Constitution of the Republic of Alanora, Article 2: 'All governmental authority within the Republic of Alanora is vested exclusively in the central government at the capital. The National Assembly may, by ordinary statute, establish, reorganize, merge, or abolish any province, district, or municipal council. Subnational authorities exercise only those powers that the central government has specifically delegated to them by statute, and the central government may revoke or modify any such delegation at its discretion. In the event of any conflict between a national statute and a subnational regulation, the national statute prevails.'

The constitutional text above most directly illustrates which of the following features of a political system?

What is the key difference between an authoritarian regime and a totalitarian regime?

A political system receives demands and support from its environment (inputs), processes them through its institutions (conversion), and produces policies and decisions (outputs) that then feedback into the environment.

According to the simplified political systems model described, which of the following would be considered an 'input'?

A recent report by the World Trade Organization (WTO) criticized Country Z's new agricultural subsidies, arguing they violate international trade agreements and distort global markets. The WTO recommended that Country Z remove these subsidies to comply with its international obligations. While Country Z's government initially defended its policy as necessary for domestic food security, it is now considering revising the subsidies to avoid potential sanctions and maintain access to international markets.

The scenario described best illustrates which of the following impacts of globalization on state sovereignty?