Political Geography and Nation-States

This set of flashcards contains key vocabulary and definitions related to political geography, nation-states, and the forces shaping political territories.

Nation-State

A political entity characterized by a defined territory, a permanent population, a governing body, and recognized sovereignty.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Centrifugal Force

Forces that tend to divide a state, such as ethnic conflict or economic inequality.

Centripetal Force

Forces that tend to unify a state, such as common language or national symbols.

Exclave

A portion of a state that is geographically separated from the main part and surrounded by foreign territory.

Enclave

A territory that is entirely surrounded by another territory.

Political Territory

The defined geographic area governed by a state or nation.

Electoral Politics

The political processes involved in making decisions through elections and voting.

Globalization

The process of increased interconnectedness among countries, often through trade, culture, and technology.

Transnationalism

A concept that emphasizes the significance of the flow of people, ideas, and resources across national borders.

Supranationalism

A form of international cooperation where countries make decisions collectively, beyond individual national authority.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to reflect changes in population.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor one political party over another.

Separatism

The movement by one group to secede and create its own nation-state.

Irredentism

Political claim for territory based on historical or ethnic affiliations.

Cultural Landscape

The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape, reflecting cultural practices.

Buffer State

A country lying between two rival or potentially hostile powers, often serving to prevent conflict.

Satellite State

A country that is nominally independent but heavily influenced or controlled by another, more powerful country.

Ethnic Cleansing

The forced removal or killing of people from a certain ethnic group from a particular area.

Mobility

The ability of people to move freely across borders or within a territory.

Nationalism

A strong identification with and devotion to one's nation.

Colonialism

The control of one nation over another territory or people, often for economic exploitation.

Political Ecology

A field studying the relationships between political, economic, and social factors with environmental issues.

Geopolitics

The study of the effects of geography on international politics and international relations.

Democracy

A system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Federal State

A government structure that divides power between a central authority and various constituent regions.

Unitary State

A centralized government system where all powers are held by a central government.

Buffer Zone

A neutral area serving to separate hostile forces or nations.

Critical Geopolitics

A field that critiques mainstream geopolitical theories, emphasizing the social and ideological implications of geopolitics.

Political Boundaries

The lines that define the spatial limits of political entities and territories.

Cultural Identity

The identity of a group influenced by cultural factors such as heritage, language, and shared practices.

Spatial Diffusion

The way cultural phenomena spread from one location to another over time.

Land Claims

Legal claims made by states or groups based on historical possession or cultural importance.

Voting Districts

Geographic areas from which a specific number of representatives are elected.

Homeland

The territory that a particular group identifies as their national or cultural origin.

Artificial Boundaries

Man-made borders that do not reflect the natural or cultural divisions in the landscape.

Visual Culture

The aspect of culture expressed in visual artifacts, including art, media, and architecture.

Decolonization

The process of a colony gaining independence from a colonizing power.

Cultural Conflicts

Disputes arising from differences in cultural beliefs, practices, and identities.

Natural Resources

Materials or substances that occur in nature and can be exploited for economic gain.

Urbanization

The process through which cities grow, and societies become more urban.

Political Fragmentation

The breakdown of a political entity into smaller, often conflicting, units.

Social Stratification

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals within a society based on wealth, power, and status.

Multinational State

A state that contains two or more nations or national groups.

Spatial Organization

The arrangement of different elements in space, often concerning the layout of human communities.

Environmental Policies

Regulations and guidelines established to manage human interactions with the environment.

International Law

A set of rules that nations recognize as binding in their relations with one another.

Public Policy

The principles and regulations established by governments to guide decisions.

Civic Engagement

Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.

Resource Allocation

The distribution of resources among competing groups or projects.

Social Movements

Collective efforts by a large group of people to bring about social change.

Political Ideologies

Sets of beliefs about political values and how society should be organized.

Global Governance

The way international affairs are managed across countries through international cooperation.

Communal Land Ownership

A system where land is owned collectively by a community rather than individuals.

Refugee Crisis

A large-scale influx of refugees due to war, persecution, or disaster.