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← Unit 1: Introduction to Comparative Politics

Legitimacy & Types of Regimes

Comparative politics classifies regimes along a spectrum from democratic to authoritarian, and examines different sources of a government's legitimacy.

▶Khan Academy has no dedicated AP Comparative Government course — no closely-matching alternative currently exists on the platformKhan Academy (US Government course — not comparative-specific, but covers related core concepts) — opens in a new tab

Overview

Legitimacy is the recognized right to rule, which can rest on traditional, charismatic, or legal-rational authority (per Max Weber's classic typology). Regimes are compared along a democratic-authoritarian spectrum based on features like free/fair elections, civil liberties protections, and checks on executive power.

Practice Quiz

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According to Max Weber's typology, what is 'legal-rational authority'?