Political Geography and Theories

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and theories related to political geography, including concepts about race, ethnicity, and types of government.

Balkanization

When a country or region breaks into smaller pieces that don't get along.

Gerrymandering

When voting districts are drawn unfairly to help one political party win.

Reapportionment

When government seats are redistributed based on population changes.

Ratzel's Organic Theory

The idea that countries need to expand their land to survive.

Mackinder's Heartland Theory

The idea that whoever controls central agricultar can control the world.

Spykman's Rimland Theory

The idea that controlling coastal areas is more important than the center.

Wallerstein's World Systems Theory

A theory that explains global inequality by dividing countries into rich, middle, and poor.

Supranational Organization

An organization made up of multiple countries that work together for shared goals.

Race

A way people are grouped based on physical traits like skin color, despite being not biologically real.

Ethnicity

A group of people who share the same culture, traditions, language, or ancestry.

Succession

When one cultural group moves into an area and replaces another group over time.

Queer Theory

The idea that gender and sexuality aren't fixed but are shaped by society and power.

Dowry Deaths

When a woman is killed or abused because her family didn't pay enough dowry, mostly in South Asia.

Barrioization

When Hispanic people move into the same neighborhoods and create cultural communities.

State

A country with borders, a population, a government, and control over its land.

Nation

A group of people who share the same culture, history, or identity.

Nation-State

Nation and state occupy the same space (ethnicity/boundaries coincide)

Sovereignty

A country's right to rule itself without outside control.

Centripetal Force

Things that bring people together and keep a country united.

Centrifugal Force

Things that pull people apart and weaken a country.

Shatterbelt

A region that has a lot of conflict because bigger powers compete over it.

Unitary Government

A government where the central government has most of the power.

Federalist Government

A government where power is shared between national and state governments.

Devolution

When the central government gives power to regional governments.