Unit 4 Political Geography

geopolitics

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

territoriality

the connection between people and their territory, creating sense of ownership and defense.

microstate

a small sovereign state with a very small population or land area, often possessing limited diplomatic recognition. ex: Vatican City

city state

an independent, sovereign entity that consists of a town or city and its surrounding territory, functioning as its own state. ex: Singapore, Monaco

multiethnic state

a state consisting of multiple ethnicities ex: US

multinational state

a state that contains two or more distinct nationalities or ethnic groups within its borders, often resulting in diverse cultural identities. ex: Canada

nation

a group of people who have similar cultural characteristics and often share a common language, history, and identity.

nation state

a sovereign state whose citizens are relatively homogeneous in factors such as language or common descent, often embodying a single nation. ex: Japan

stateless nation

a nation that does not have it’s own recognized state and is often spread across multiple states or regions. Examples include the Kurds and Palestinians.

compact state

a type of state where the distance from the center to any boundary is about the same in all directions, promoting efficient governance and communication. Examples include Poland and Uruguay.

elongated state

a state that is significantly longer than it is wide, which can lead to challenges in governance and transportation. Examples include Chile and Italy.

prorupted state

a state that has an extended arm or protrusion, which may provide access to resources or transportation routes. Examples include Namibia and Thailand.

landlocked state

a state that is entirely surrounded by land and has no coastline, often leading to economic and trade disadvantages. Examples include Switzerland and Bolivia, most countries in Africa

perforated state

a state that completely surrounds another state, which can create unique political and economic dynamics. An example is Italy surrounding San Marino.

colonialism

the practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically

neo-colonialism

the indirect control or influence over a country, often through economic or cultural pressures, rather than direct military occupation.

Berlin Conference

a meeting held in 1884-1885 among European powers to regulate colonization and trade in Africa, resulting in the partitioning of the continent.

devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from a central government to regional or local governments, often resulting in increased autonomy.

geometric boundaries

using straight lines or arcs, often based on latitude and longitude, rather than natural features. ex: 49th Parallel between Canada and Mexico

physical boundaries

natural features like rivers or mountains that define political borders.

ethnic/cultural boundaries

boundaries based on the cultural, ethnic, or linguistic characteristics of a population.

relic boundaries

boundaries that no longer function but remain in the cultural landscape, often due to historical events.

superimposed boundaries

boundaries imposed on countries by a foreign power, often disregarding cultural preferences. ex: Berlin Conference adding boundaries to Africa

antecedent boundaries

boundaries existed before human settlement and were established due to physical geography, such as rivers or mountains. ex: Andes Mountains, between Chile and Argentina

subsequent boundaries

boundaries that are established after a settlement has occurred, often reflecting the cultural and social characteristics of the area. These boundaries evolve over time based on the cultural landscape.

consequent boundaries

boundaries that are drawn to accommodate existing differences within a population, such as ethnicity or religion. ex: boundary made between India and Pakistan to split two religions

frontier

a zone separating two states or regions that is not formally recognized as a boundary, often characterized by a lack of development or regulation.

shatterbelt

a state between two external powers that are having conflict and is often characterized by fragmentation, instability, and regional tensions due to ethnic or political divisions.

irredentism

A political or popular movement intended to reclaim and reoccupy a “lost” or “unredeemed” area that a nation believes rightfully belongs to it, usually based on shared ethnicity, language, or historical claims.

choke point

A strategic narrow passage or route that can be easily controlled, often used in military tactics and trade. ex: Panama Canal

autocracy

A system of government in which a single person or group holds absolute power, often characterized by a lack of democratic processes and limited political freedoms.

anocracy

A political system characterized by a mix of democratic and autocratic features.

unitary state

A form of government where power is concentrated in a central authority, with subnational units having little autonomy. Examples include France and Japan.

federal state

A political system in which power is divided between a central authority and various subnational entities, allowing for a degree of autonomy. Examples include the United States and Canada.

redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to reflect population changes, often impacting political representation and power dynamics.

gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to benefit a particular political party or group, often resulting in distorted representation.

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

An international treaty that establishes guidelines for the use and conservation of the world's oceans and marine resources, including territorial sea limits and rights of navigation.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance formed in 1955 among the Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries, countering NATO during the Cold War.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

An intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949 for collective defense against aggression, primarily between North American and European nations.

balance of power

A political theory that suggests national security is enhanced when military and economic power is distributed evenly among nations, preventing any one nation from dominating others.

supranational organizations

Entities formed by multiple countries to achieve shared goals, which can include economic, political, or military cooperation.

United Nations

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among member countries.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe, established to foster integration and cooperation among its members.

African Union (AU)

A continental union consisting of 55 African countries, established to promote unity, peace, and development across the continent.