Studied by 2 people
Political Geography
The study of the political organization of the world.
State
A politically organized territory with a permanent population, a defined territory, and a government, recognized by other states.
Sovereignty
The recognized right to control a territory politically and militarily.
Territoriality
Efforts to stake out territorial claims, which can occur at different scales.
Nation
A culturally defined term referring to a group of people who think of themselves as one based on shared culture and history.
Nation-State
A state where the political boundaries match the cultural boundaries.
Multinational State
A state that contains more than one nation within its borders.
Multistate Nation
A nation that stretches across borders and states.
Shatterbelt
Political zones of chronic splintering and fracturing caught between opposing powers.
Stateless Nations
Nations that do not have a state of their own; for example, Kurds and Palestinians.
Colonialism
The control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent country or people.
Peace of Westphalia
Negotiated in 1648, marking the beginning of the modern state system.
Mercantilism
An economic theory that emphasizes government regulation of a nation's economy for augmenting state power.
Core
The part of the world economy most likely to have higher levels of education, higher salaries, and more technology.
Periphery
Areas that are exploited by core countries and experience a marginal position in global economy.
Semiperiphery
Regions that exhibit both core and periphery processes.
Centripetal Forces
Forces within a state that unify the population.
Centrifugal Forces
Forces that divide the population and can undermine the state.
Representative Democracy
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Unitary Government
A centralized government where administrative authority is concentrated in the central government.
Federal System
A system in which regional governments have significant autonomy from the national government.
Forward Capital
A capital placed in contested territory to assert control over that area.
Devolution
The transfer of power from the central government to regional governments.
Ethnocultural Devolution
Devolution based on ethnic or cultural differences.
Economic Devolution
Devolution sought by economically advantaged regions wanting independence.
Spatial Devolution
Devolution occurring in geographically distant regions from the central government.
Electoral Geography
The study of the spatial configuration of electoral districts and voting patterns.
Gerrymandering
The practice of drawing voting districts to achieve a specific political outcome.
Territorial Morphology
The study of the shape of states and how it affects governance.
Compact State
A state with a circular, oval, or rectangular territory where the distance from the center to the boundary exhibits little variation.
Elongated State
A state whose territory is long and narrow, facing challenges in communication and transportation.
Protruded State
A state with an elongated land extension that may differ culturally or economically from its core.
Fragmented State
A state whose territory is composed of several separated parts.
Perforated State
A state that completely surrounds the territory of other states.
Boundary Delimitation
The process of drawing boundaries or limits between areas.
Geometric Boundary
Boundaries that are drawn using grid systems such as latitude and longitude.
Physical-Political Boundary
Boundaries that follow the physical landscape, like rivers or mountain ranges.
Median Line Principle
A method used to determine maritime boundaries based on the midpoint between countries.
Irredentism
A political movement aimed at reclaiming lost territory or unifying a nation divided by borders.
Supranational Organization
An entity formed by three or more states for mutual benefit and shared goals.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
A sea zone over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources.
Choke Point
Narrow waterways that can restrict passage and are crucial for naval strategy.
Boundary Dispute
A disagreement between states regarding the location or function of their boundaries.
Friedrich Ratzel
Geopolitical theorist known for linking state power and territory.
Heartland Theory
A geopolitical theory by Sir Halford Mackinder stating that whoever rules Eastern Europe commands the Heartland.
Antecedent Boundary
A boundary that was established before the area was populated by human groups, often based on physical features.
Subsequent Boundary
A boundary that is established after an area has been settled and is often drawn to accommodate existing cultural landscapes.
Relict Boundary
A boundary that no longer functions but still exists in the cultural landscape, often as a remnant of historical divisions.
British-American School
A school of thought that focuses on geographical space in Eurasia to shape political dynamics.
German School
A school of thought in political geography that emphasizes the influence of territory on political behavior and state organization.
Example of Antecedent Boundary
The boundary between Canada and the United States, established based on the 49th parallel before significant human settlement.
Example of Subsequent Boundary
The boundary between India and Pakistan, developed after the partition in 1947, accommodating cultural and political divisions.
Example of Relict Boundary
The former boundary between East and West Germany, which still influences social and economic dynamics despite reunification.
Example of Superimposed Boundary
Borders in Africa established without regard for existing cultural or ethnic landscapes.
World Systems Theory
The world economy has one market and a global division of labor
Almost everything takes place in the context of the world economy
Core, periphery, semi-periphery
Core Countries
Highly developed countries with strong economies, advanced technology, and significant political power.
Periphery Countries
Less developed countries that are often exploited for resources and labor by core countries.
Semi-Periphery Countries
Nations that exhibit characteristics of both core and periphery countries, playing a middle role in the global economy.
Boundary Dispute
A disagreement between states or regions regarding the location or function of their boundaries.
Irredentist Claim
A claim made by a country to territories that it considers to be historically or ethnically part of its nation.
Definitional Boundary Disputes
A disagreement between states or regions over the precise location or meaning of a boundary.
Allocational Boundary Dispute
Disagreements between states over the resources found along a boundary, such as water or minerals.
Locational Boundary Dispute
A disagreement over the actual location of a boundary line.
Operational Boundary Dispute
A disagreement between states regarding the use and management of a boundary, often involving the actions taken along the border.
