Untitled Flashcards Set

State

Political unit with a permanent population and boundaries that are recognized by other states that allows for the administration of laws, collection of taxes, and provision of defense.

Nation

People who think of themselves as one based on a shared sense of culture and history and who desire political autonomy (right to self govern).

Nation-State

A nation-state is a political entity characterized by a distinct geographic territory that corresponds to a single nation, where the population shares a common identity, culture, history, and often language. This concept emphasizes the alignment of political boundaries with ethnic boundaries, typically resulting in a state that is governed by a centralized authority that reflects the collective will of its people. Nation-states are often seen as the principal form of political organization in the modern world, contributing to national unity and identity, but they can also face challenges from multicultural societies and movements for autonomy within their borders.

Multinational State

A multinational state is a political entity characterized by the presence of two or more distinct nations or ethnic groups that coexist within a single state. These groups may each have their own cultural identities, languages, and historical narratives, often leading to challenges in governance, representation, and national unity. Examples include countries like Canada, which has both English and French speakers, and India, which is home to numerous languages and ethnic communities. The management of diversity within a multinational state can lead to complex dynamics involving issues of autonomy, rights, and sometimes conflict.

Stateless Nation

A nation who does not have their own independent state.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Territoriality

The connection of people to a specific geographic area and their assertion of control over it.

Autonomy

The ability of a region or group to govern itself independently.

Devolution

The transfer of decision-making power from a central government to a lower level government.

Territorial Disputes

Conflicts over land ownership and control between states or groups.

Annexation

The process of adding land to a city, state, or country.

Buffer State

A smaller state situated between two larger, potentially hostile states.

Self-Determination

The process by which a country determines its own statehood and forms its own allegiances and government.

Stateless Ethnic Groups

Ethnic groups that do not have their own state or political representation.

Microstate

A very small sovereign state in terms of land area and population.

City-State

A sovereign state that consists of a single city and its surrounding territory.

Frontier

An area/zone where no state has complete political control.

Compact State

A country that is small, roundish, and has a centralized government.

Elongated State

A state shape that has a long sliver of land that extends far in one direction.

Prorupted State

A state having a shape that is a central land body with one part of the land extending out from one side much more than any other part.

Fragmented State

States whose land masses are fragmented into two or more parts.

Perforated State

A state that completely surrounds another state.

Landlocked State

A state that has no access to direct water sources because it is surrounded by other places.

Boundary

Line that determines the limit of state jurisdiction.

Definitional Boundary Dispute

Disagreement over the definition or interpretation of a particular term, concept, or boundary.

Locational Boundary Dispute

Conflicts between states or regions over the ownership of a given area.

Operational Boundary Dispute

Conflicts over the national policies applied at a border.

Allocational Boundary Dispute

Conflicts that arise over the allocation of resources or territory.

Antecedent Boundary

Political borders established before the area in question is well populated.

Subsequent Boundary

A political boundary established after a cultural or social landscape has developed.

Superimposed Boundary

Political barriers disregarding cultural, religious, and ethnic divisions.

Relic Boundary

A boundary that no longer exists but remnants remain.

Delimitation

Lines drawn on a map to represent the limits of a territory.

Demarcation

A border that separates two countries.

Natural/Physical Boundary

Physical features creating a clear demarcation between political territories.

Ethnographic/Cultural Boundary

A boundary placed to separate speakers of different languages or religions.

Geometric Boundary

A boundary created by using lines of latitude and longitude.

Border Landscape

The physical and cultural characteristics that define a political boundary.

Electoral Regions

Geographic areas that determine where voters reside.

Enclave

A portion of territory within or surrounded by larger territories.

Exclave

A portion of territory of one state completely surrounded by another territory.

EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)

A maritime area extending 200 miles from a country's coastline.

Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

The international legal framework that governs the rights of states in maritime environments.

Unitary State

Government holding almost all authority, with very little power given to local government.

Federal State

Government sharing political power with lower levels of government.

Confederation

A union of sovereign groups or states formed for defense or mutual interests.

Supranationalism

Governance that transcends national boundaries, with countries working together.

International Organization

An alliance of countries seeking cooperation without giving up autonomy.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of 27 European countries cooperating closely.

Gerrymander

Unfair redistricting that gives an advantage to a political party.

Reapportionment

Redistributing political representation.

Centripetal Forces

Forces bringing people together in a state.

Centrifugal Forces

Forces driving people away from a state.

Political Unification Theory

Bringing together distinct political entities into a cohesive government.

Organic Theory (Ratzel)

A nation-state grows and expands like an organism.

World-System Theory (Wallerstein)

The world economy is ever-changing with three hierarchies of countries.

Heartland Theory (Mackinder)

Control of Eastern Europe would result in world dominance.

Rimland Theory (Spykman)

Coastal fringes of Eurasia are crucial for political power.

Geopolitics

The study of geographical factors in world politics.

Balkanization

Fragmentation of a region into smaller, often hostile, political units.

Irredentism

Land claims based on historical significance to an ethnic or national group.

Colonialism

Powerful countries asserting their influence over weaker countries.

Decolonization

The process through which colonies gain independence.

Ethnic Conflict

Tensions and disputes between different ethnic groups.

Religious Conflict

Disputes arising between different religious groups.

Reunification

Coming back together after being separated.

Satellite State

A country nominally independent but under the control of a larger nation.

Territorial Disputes

Disagreement over which state exercises sovereignty.

Ethnic Cleansing

Deliberate removal or killing of a particular ethnic group.

Apartheid

Physical separation of different races into geographic areas.

Military Alliances

Agreements for mutual support in conflict.

Trade Agreements

Legal pacts outlining rules for trade between countries.

Regionalism

The process of dividing the earth into smaller regions or units.

Supranational Organization

Entities formed by three or more nations transcending national boundaries.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

An organization focused on humanitarian issues with a political aspect.

International Cooperation

Collaborative efforts to address global challenges.

Economic Union

Agreement allowing products, services, and workers to cross borders freely.

Treaty Ports

Cities ceded to a foreign power for political and economic influence.

Stateless Nation

A stateless nation is a cultural and ethnic group that identifies as a distinct community based on shared language, history, and culture but lacks the territorial sovereignty to form an independent nation-state. Stateless nations often experience a sense of political and social marginalization, as their aspirations for self-determination and recognition are not fulfilled. Examples of stateless nations include the Kurds, Palestinians, and Basques, who seek greater autonomy or independence within the states that encompass their populations.