Unit 4: Political Geography Concepts

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from Unit 4 on political geography.

State

A political unit that exerts sovereignty over a territory.

Nation

A group of people who share a common language, history, and culture, often forming one unified nation.

Nation-State

A state made up of a single nation.

Stateless Nation

A nation that lacks a formal state.

Multistate Nation

A single nation living in more than one state.

Multinational State

States that contain multiple cultures and ethnicities.

Autonomous Region

Regions within a state with authority to operate independently.

Semiautonomous Region

Regions within a state that has limited authority.

Self-determination

The right of all people to have their own form of government.

Territoriality

Connection and claim to a piece of land.

Devolution

Power transferred from a central political authority to smaller regional authorities.

Balkanization

Large state breaks apart into smaller independent states due to conflicts.

Ethnonationalism

Nation defined in terms of ethnic identity.

Shatter Belt

Politically and ethnically fragmented states between larger and more powerful states.

Chokepoint

Narrow and strategic passageways.

Core Country

Highly developed wealthy nation with advanced technology.

Semi-periphery Country

An industrializing nation with characteristics of core and periphery countries.

Periphery Country

A less economically developed nation.

Failed State

A country whose government has lost the ability to provide basic services.

Median Line Principle

A rule for drawing maritime boundaries.

Enclave

A territory surrounded by a country but not ruled by it.

Exclave

National territory separated from the main body of the country.

Boundary

A line separating political entities.

Relic Boundary

A boundary that once existed but no longer functions.

Superimposed Boundary

Drawn by an outside force with no respect for existing differences.

Subsequent Boundary

Drawn after a territory has been settled.

Antecedent Boundary

Drawn before a territory was populated.

Geometric Boundary

Follows lines of latitude and longitude with no consideration of culture or nature.

Consequent Boundary

Drawn with consideration of differences in cultural landscape.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

A zone in which military forces are prohibited.

UNCLOS

International treaty defining maritime boundaries and resource rights.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

A sea zone extending 200 nautical miles from the shore where coastal states have rights.

Berlin Conference

Meeting where European colonial powers divided Africa into colonies.

Cold War

Political standoff between capitalist U.S. and allies against communist Soviet Union.

Voting Districts

Geographical areas with defined boundaries for electing representatives.

Electoral College

Group of electors in the U.S. responsible for electing the president.

Reapportionment

Mandatory rectifying of House of Representatives after every census.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing political district boundaries.

Packing

Concentrating as many voters of a party into a single district.

Cracking

Splitting a large group of voters, targeting a minority group.

Unitary State

A state where political power is concentrated in the central government.

Federal State

A state where political power is shared among multiple levels of government.

Irredentism

The belief that culturally unified people divided by borders should be reunited.

Terrorism

Violence against the government.

Supranational Organizations

Alliances of 3 or more countries that join forces for mutual benefit.

UN (United Nations)

An international organization with 193 members aimed at promoting peace, security, and human rights.

EU (European Union)

An economic and political union of 27 member states.

AU (African Union)

An organization of 55 African states focused on unity, peace, and economic development.

NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement)

Trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

Regional organization of 10 Southeast Asian countries aimed at promoting economic and political stability.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Military alliance of 32 North American and European countries for collective security.