Unit 4: Political Patterns and Processes

Antecedent boundary

Boundary drawn before an area is well populated

Balkanization

Process of a state breaking into smaller hostile units

Buffer state

Small neutral state between two larger conflicting powers

Centrifugal forces

Forces that divide a state and weaken unity

Centripetal forces

Forces that unify a state and strengthen stability

Colonialism

Control of one territory by another for economic or political gain

Confederation

Union of states with more power held by regional governments

Democratization

Transition from authoritarian rule to democratic governance

Devolution

Transfer of power from central to regional governments

Domino theory

Idea that political change in one country triggers similar changes nearby

East/west divide

Political and economic division between Western democracies and Eastern communist states

Electoral College

System that formally elects the U.S. president

Electoral vote

Votes cast by electors representing each state

Enclave

Territory completely surrounded by another state

Exclave

Territory belonging to a state but separated from it

Federalism

System dividing power between national and regional governments

Frontier

Zone where no state exercises full political control

Geometric boundaries

Boundaries drawn using straight lines or arcs

Geopolitics

Study of how geography influences political power

Gerrymandering

Redrawing districts to favor a political group

Heartland theory

Idea that controlling Eastern Europe leads to global dominance

Imperialism

Policy of extending power through diplomacy or military force

International organization

Group of countries cooperating for common goals

Irredentism

Claiming territory based on shared ethnicity or history

Landlocked state

State without access to the ocean

Law of the sea

International rules governing maritime boundaries

Lebensraum

Concept of territorial expansion for national survival

Microstate

Very small country in land area and population

Nation

Group of people with shared culture, history, and identity

Nationalism

Strong loyalty to one’s nation

Nation-state

State whose borders match a single nation

North American Free Trade Agreement

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

North/south divide

Economic division between wealthy and poorer countries

Organic theory

Idea that states grow and expand like living organisms

Physical boundaries

Boundaries based on natural features like rivers or mountains

Political geography

Study of spatial organization of political processes

Popular vote

Total votes cast by citizens in an election

Prorupted state

State with a long projecting extension

Reapportionment

Redistribution of legislative seats based on population

Redistricting

Redrawing electoral district boundaries

Relic boundaries

Former boundaries that still influence the landscape

Rimland theory

Idea that coastal regions are key to global power

Self-determination

Right of a nation to govern itself

Shatterbelt

Region with persistent conflict between major powers

State

Political unit with defined territory and sovereignty

Stateless nation

Nation without its own state

States' rights

Powers reserved for regional governments

Subsequent boundary

Boundary drawn after settlement

Superimposed boundary

Boundary imposed by outside powers

Supranational organization

Group of states working together for shared goals, with the organization having control over the states

Territorial dispute

Conflict over land ownership or control

Territorial organization

How a state divides its territory for governance

Theocracy

Government ruled by religious leaders

Unitary state

State with centralized government authority

United Nations

International organization promoting peace and cooperation