Unit 4 KBAT

Balance of power

When countries or alliances have equal strength to prevent dominance.

Balkanization

When a country splits into smaller, hostile units (like the Balkans).

Boundary

An invisible line that marks the limit of a state’s territory.

Boundary formation

The legal process and documentation that outlines the border.

Define

Often done through a treaty-like legal document in which actual points on the landscape or points of latitude and longitude lines are described;

Delimitation

Drawing the boundary on a map.

Demarcation

Physically marking the boundary (with signs, fences, etc.).

Administration

Managing and enforcing the boundary.

Positional Dispute

occur when states disagree about the interpretation of documents that define a boundary and/or the way the boundary was delimited.

Territorial Dispute

occur over the ownership of a region

Resource Dispute

neighbouring states argue about the resources 

(mineral deposits, fertile farmland, rich fishing 

grounds) lying in border areas and disagree over 

their use

Functional (operational) Dispute

Arise when neighbouring states disagree over policies to be applied along a boundary. Policies may concern immigration, customs regulations, or land use.

Buffer state

A small neutral country between two larger, conflicting powers.

Capital

The main city where a country's government is located.

Centrifugal forces

Forces that divide a country (like conflict, language differences).

Centripetal forces

Forces that unite a country (like a common language or anthem).

Chokepoint

A narrow passage (like a strait) where movement is limited and easy to block.

City-state

A city that is also an independent country.

Civil divisions

Political subdivisions within a country (like states or provinces).

Colonialism

When a country takes control of foreign lands and governs them.

Colony

A territory controlled by another country.

Core

The most developed, powerful part of the world or a country.

Decolonization

When colonies become independent from colonial powers.

Democratization

The process of becoming a democracy.

Devolution

When power is transferred from the central government to local governments.

Domino Theory

The idea that if one country falls to communism, nearby ones will too.

EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)

A sea zone where a country has rights to marine resources (up to 200 nautical miles).

Electoral geography

Study of how geographic space affects voting and elections.

Enclave

A territory inside another country.

Exclave

A part of a country separated from the rest.

European Union

A group of European countries that work together economically and politically.

Federal state

A country where power is shared between national and local governments.

Free trade union

Countries that agree to trade without tariffs (like NAFTA).

Frontier

An area where borders are not well-defined or enforced.

High seas

Ocean areas that no country owns.

Geopolitics

How geography affects politics and power.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing voting districts to favor one group or party.

Global commons

Resources that no one country owns (like the atmosphere or Antarctica).

Boundary classification - Antecedent

A boundary drawn before people lived there.

Boundary classification - Subsequent

A boundary drawn after people already settled.

Boundary classification - Superimposed

A boundary forced on people by outsiders.

Boundary classification - Relict

A boundary that no longer functions but still visible (like the Berlin Wall).

Heartland / Rimland

Theories about which areas (land or coast) are most powerful in global politics.

Imperialism

Taking control of other areas to build an empire.

International organization

Groups of countries working together (like the UN).

Irredentism

A country’s desire to reunite with a group that shares its culture in another country.

Landlocked state

A country with no access to the ocean.

Microstate

A very small country (like Monaco).

Multinational state

A country with multiple ethnic or cultural groups.

Multi-state nation

A cultural group spread across multiple countries.

Nation-state

A country where most people share the same culture.

Reapportionment

Redistributing seats in government based on population changes.

Redistricting

Redrawing voting district boundaries.

Republic

A government where officials are elected by the people.

Self-determination

The right of a group to govern itself.

Shatterbelt

A region with lots of conflict between different powers.

Sovereignty

The right of a country to govern itself.

State

A country with defined borders and a government.

Stateless nation

A cultural group without its own country (like the Kurds).

Supranationalism

Countries giving up some control to work together in a group.

Supranational organization

A group of countries working together (like the EU, UN).

Compact State

A small, round country.

Fragmented State

A country made of separate parts (like islands).

Elongated State

A long, narrow country.

Prorupted State

A country with a long extension.

Perforated State

A country with another country inside it.

Territorial waters

Sea area close to shore that a country controls (up to 12 nautical miles).

Territoriality

A country or group’s connection to land and control over it.

Terrorism

Using violence to scare people and achieve political goals.

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders.

Unitary state

A country where the central government has all the power.

UNCLOS III

A UN agreement that defines sea laws and zones.

United Nations

An international organization that works for peace, development, and cooperation.