AP Comparative Government and Politics Units

Key Takeaways

• AP Comparative Government and Politics has 5 main units.

• You’ll compare how 6 countries are governed: the UK, Mexico, Nigeria, Iran, Russia, and China.

• Each unit builds on the one before it, helping you understand world politics step by step.

• The comparative method teaches you how to spot patterns and differences between countries and their political systems.

• Success means knowing both the details about each country and the big ideas about government.

Introduction: What Is AP Comparative Government and Politics?

AP Comparative Government and Politics (opens in a new tab)helps you understand how different countries run their governments. Think of it like a world tour, except instead of visiting landmarks, you’re exploring how leaders are chosen, how laws are made, and how people interact with their governments.

You’ll study six main countries: the United Kingdom, Mexico, Nigeria, Iran, Russia, and China. These were picked because each represents a different type of government. You’ll study strong democracies as well as systems with very limited freedom.

The special thing about this course is the comparison factor. You don’t just learn about each country by itself. You compare them. For example:

• How does democracy in the UK differ from that in Mexico?

• What makes China’s one-party rule different from Russia’s political system?

The course has 5 main units, starting with basic ideas about politics and ending with how countries change over time.

Overview of the 5 AP Comparative Government Units

The College Board divides this class into five key parts. Each one helps you build a stronger understanding of world politics.

Unit 1: Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments

This first unit is where everything begins. You’ll learn what makes up a political system and how different governments are organized.

Here are some main ideas:

• Different types of political systems: states, nations, governments, and regimes.

• Sovereignty means a country controls what happens inside its borders.

• How a regime may get, keep, or lose power.

• The factors that help or undermine a government’s stability.

• Authoritarianism vs. Democracy

Unit 2: Political Institutions

Now that you know the basics, this unit dives into how governments actually work.

Every country has important institutions, including:

• Legislative systems (Congress or Parliament)

• Executive Institutions (presidents or prime ministers)

• Judicial systems (courts, judges)

Unit 3: Political Culture and Participation

This unit focuses on how people think about politics and get involved in it. You’ll explore six countries’ governments as examples.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Political attitudes and beliefs of citizens

• Political ideologies (individualism, fascism, communism)

• Citizen participation in politics and its effects

• Civil rights and liberties

• Social divisions 

Unit 4: Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations

This unit takes a closer look at how elections work and how people take part in government. For example, different electoral systems lead to different results. Here’s a look at some of the topics you may cover:

• Electoral systems and rules

• Political party systems

• Social movements and interest groups in politics

Unit 5: Political and Economic Changes and Development

The last unit looks at globalization, and how countries participate in a global setting.

Here are a few of the topics in this final unit of AP Government and Politics:

• How political entities respond to global markets

• How economic policies effect the entire world

• Industrialization and its impact

• Cause and effect of changes in demographics

You’ll learn to measure development using things like GDP, literacy rates, and life expectancy,   as well as freedom and human rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many units are in AP Comparative Government?

There are 5 units in the AP Comparative Government and Politics course. They start with basic political ideas and end with understanding how countries change and grow.

What countries are studied in the course?

You’ll study six countries: the UK, Mexico, Nigeria, Iran, Russia, and China. Each one represents a different type of government.

What’s the difference between AP US Government and AP Comparative?

AP US Government is only about the United States. AP Comparative Government looks at six countries, comparing how each is governed.

Which AP Comp Gov unit is the hardest?

Many students say Unit 5 is the toughest because it ties together politics, the economy, and social change. Others struggle with Units 2 and 4 just because they cover so much information about different governmental systems in many countries. But what’s hardest depends on what you find interesting. It’s different for every student, and setting a regular study schedule and using resources will help you do well on the exam.

Final Thoughts

AP Comparative Government and Politics (opens in a new tab) helps you see how the world really works. The course’s 5 units and 6 country-focus give you a big-picture view of how various governments function.

Study a little each day, use old exam questions, and make charts comparing countries. Most importantly, stay curious about global politics! The skills you learn here – such as critical thinking, comparison, and analysis – will help you far beyond the AP exam.

Looking for some extra help and resources? Check out the AP study resources from Save My Exams. You’ll find past questions, study guides, and more that can help you succeed.

Resources

College Board AP Comparative Government and Politics (opens in a new tab)

AP Comparative Government and Politics Overview (College Board) (opens in a new tab)