Unit 4: Political Geography Terms

Political Geography

The study of how political processes and structures are influenced by geographic space, including the organization of governments, territorial boundaries, and the impact of geography on political decisions.

State

A political unit with a permanent population, recognized sovereignty, and a government that controls internal and external affairs. Example: France has clearly defined borders and a government that exercises sovereignty.

Sovereignty

The authority of a political unit to govern itself without external interference. Example: Japan controls its own laws, economy, and foreign policy without influence from other countries.

Nation

A group of people with a shared cultural identity, common ancestry, language, religion, or historical experience, but not necessarily a political entity. Example: The Cherokee people have a distinct cultural identity but do not have an independent government recognized by the international community.

Nation-State

A political unit in which the population shares a common identity as a single nation. Example: Japan has a population that is largely ethnically homogeneous and shares a common culture.

Multistate Nation

A cultural group that is spread across multiple political units. Example: The Koreans are divided between two separate governments in North Korea and South Korea.

Irredentism

A political movement that seeks to reclaim and reoccupy a territory considered lost or culturally connected to a group. Example: Russia justified its annexation of Crimea by claiming cultural and historical ties to the region.

Multinational State

A political unit that contains multiple ethnic groups or nations with distinct identities. Example: Canada includes English-speaking and French-speaking populations, as well as Indigenous nations with unique cultural traditions.

Autonomous Region

An area within a political unit that has a high degree of self-governance but remains under the sovereignty of the larger government. Example: Hong Kong has its own legal and economic systems while remaining under the control of China.

Semi-Autonomous Region

An area that has some self-governing powers but is ultimately controlled by a central government. Example: The Navajo Nation in the United States governs itself in many areas but is still subject to federal laws.

Stateless Nation

A cultural or ethnic group that does not have its own independent political unit. Example: The Hmong people, primarily living in China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, have a distinct cultural identity but do not have a sovereign country of their own.

Territoriality

The connection of people to a specific geographic area and their desire to exert control over it. Example: China enforces maritime claims in the South China Sea to assert influence over valuable resources and trade routes.

Colonialism

The practice of establishing control over a foreign territory for economic and political gain. Example: Britain controlled India and its resources until independence was achieved in 1947.

Neocolonialism

The continued economic and political influence of former colonial powers over independent countries. Example: Many African nations remain economically dependent on European countries due to trade agreements and foreign investment structures established during colonial rule.

Choke Point

A narrow geographic passage that is crucial for trade and military strategy. Example: The Strait of Hormuz is a vital passage for global oil transportation, making it strategically important for international trade.

Shatterbelt

A region caught between larger political or cultural forces, often experiencing instability. Example: The Balkans have historically experienced conflict due to competition among ethnic groups and foreign powers.

Self-Determination

The right of a nation or ethnic group to govern itself without external control. Example: Scotland has held referendums on independence to determine whether it should separate from the United Kingdom.

Imperialism

The practice of extending influence over other regions through political, economic, or military means. Example: European countries exerted control over vast territories in Africa and Asia during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Kurds

An ethnic group in the Middle East without an independent government, primarily residing in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran.

Devolution

The transfer of political power from a central government to regional governments within a political unit. Example: The United Kingdom granted Scotland its own parliament, allowing it to govern certain domestic affairs separately from London.

Defining Boundary

The legal process of establishing the exact location of a division between political units through a formal agreement.

Delimited Boundary

A division between political units that has been drawn on a map through a legal or political process.

Demarcated Boundary

A division between political units that is marked physically on the landscape with signs, fences, or walls. Example: The division between the United States and Mexico is marked with fences and border checkpoints.

Administer

To enforce or manage policies and laws within a defined area. Example: Governments regulate customs and immigration at border crossings to control the movement of people and goods.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

A region where military forces are not allowed, often serving as a buffer zone between conflicting powers. Example: The area between North and South Korea is heavily monitored but has no active military presence.

Antecedent Boundaries

Divisions between political units that were established before significant human settlement or cultural development. Example: The border between the United States and Canada along the 49th parallel was created before large populations settled in the region.

Subsequent Boundaries

Divisions between political units that developed over time, often based on cultural or social changes. Example: The border between India and Pakistan was established to separate religious groups after British rule ended.

Consequent Boundaries

Divisions that align with cultural, linguistic, or religious differences. Example: The division between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland reflects religious and historical distinctions.

Superimposed Boundaries

Divisions imposed by external powers without regard to cultural divisions. Example: European colonial powers divided Africa into territories without considering existing ethnic or tribal boundaries.

Geometric Boundaries

Divisions between political units that follow straight lines or geometric patterns rather than natural or cultural features. Example: The line separating Egypt and Sudan follows a straight geometric path rather than natural landmarks.

Relic Boundaries

Former divisions that no longer function but still influence cultural or historical identity. Example: The remains of the Berlin Wall serve as a reminder of Cold War divisions even though Germany is now unified.

Maritime Boundaries

Divisions in the ocean that define areas of legal and economic control for different political units.

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

An international agreement that establishes rules for oceanic divisions, including resource rights and navigation laws.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

A sea zone extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country's coast, where that country has rights to resources.Example: Norway controls fisheries and offshore drilling operations within its designated area in the North Sea.

Territorial Sea

The area of the ocean extending up to 12 nautical miles from a coast, where the government has full sovereignty.

Contiguous Zone

A maritime zone extending 24 nautical miles from a coastline, where limited enforcement of laws on customs, pollution, and security is allowed.

High Seas

The open ocean beyond any country's jurisdiction, where international laws apply.

The Basque

An ethnic group indigenous to a region spanning northern Spain and southwestern France, known for its unique language and cultural identity. Example: The Basque people have sought greater autonomy within Spain, with some advocating for full independence.

Federal State (Federalism)

A system in which power is divided between a central authority and regional governments. Example: The United States, where states have control over many policies, such as education and law enforcement, while the federal government handles national defense and foreign policy.

Unitary State

A system where nearly all power is concentrated in the central government, with little authority given to regional or local governments. Example: France, where most decisions are made by the national government in Paris, though some powers are delegated to local governments.

Concurrent

Powers shared by both the national and regional governments within a system. Example: In the United States, both state and federal governments have the power to tax and establish laws.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing seats in a legislative body based on population changes. Example: After the 2020 U.S. Census, some states gained or lost seats in the House of Representatives due to population shifts.

Electoral College

A body of representatives from each U.S. state that formally elects the president based on state-level popular votes. Example: A candidate can win the presidency by securing a majority of the 538 votes, even if they do not win the national popular vote.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to reflect population changes. Example: Texas adjusted its congressional districts after the 2020 Census to account for population growth.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Majority-Minority Districts

Electoral districts in which a majority of the population belongs to racial or ethnic minority groups. Example: Some congressional districts in the U.S. are drawn to ensure minority representation under the Voting Rights Act.

Cracking (Gerrymandering)

Splitting a group of voters with similar interests across multiple districts to dilute their influence. Example: A city with a high concentration of one political party may be divided into several districts dominated by the opposing party, reducing its electoral power.

Packing (Gerrymandering)

Concentrating a particular group of voters into a single district to reduce their influence in other districts. Example: A minority group may be clustered into one district to limit its impact on surrounding areas.

Stacking (Gerrymandering)

Combining a minority population with a larger, politically different population to minimize electoral power. Example: A district with a high number of minority voters might be merged with enough majority-party voters to ensure the majority group wins elections.

Hijacking (Gerrymandering)

Redrawing district boundaries to force two incumbent candidates from the same party to compete against each other. Example: Two representatives from the same party may be placed into the same district, ensuring that one is eliminated from office.

Kidnapping (Gerrymandering)

Moving an incumbent's district so they no longer live in the area they represent, forcing them to relocate or not seek re-election. Example: A politician's home may be placed into a different district dominated by the opposing party, making re-election more difficult.

Ethnic Separatism

A movement in which a group within a state seeks greater political autonomy due to cultural, linguistic, or religious differences. Example: In Spain, Catalonia has pushed for independence through referendums and political movements due to its distinct language and culture.

Ethnic Cleansing

The forced removal or extermination of an ethnic group from a particular area to create a more homogeneous society. Example: In the 1990s, Bosniaks and Croats were targeted for removal during the Bosnian War as part of efforts to create an ethnically uniform region.

Supranational Organization

A political or economic alliance where member states cede some sovereignty to a higher authority for mutual benefits. Example: The European Union allows member countries to have open borders for goods and services while following shared economic policies.

European Union

A political and economic union of 27 European countries that fosters peace, economic integration, and free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.

Mercosur

A South American trade bloc that promotes free trade and economic integration among its member states.

United Nations

An international organization that promotes peace, security, human rights, and development across the world.

Arctic Council

A forum that fosters cooperation among countries with territories in the Arctic, focusing on environmental protection and sustainable development.

"Brexit"

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, ending decades of membership and requiring new trade agreements.

Centripetal Force

A factor that unifies people within a state, strengthening national identity and political stability. Example: India's use of Hindi as an official language helps unite its diverse population.

Centrifugal Force

A factor that divides people within a state, leading to instability or conflict. Example: Religious differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims in Iraq have contributed to political and social divisions.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military alliance of North American and European countries that provides collective defense and security cooperation.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

A trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico aimed at promoting economic growth, fair trade, and market access.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

A regional organization of Southeast Asian countries that enhances economic, political, and security cooperation among its members.

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

An international organization that coordinates oil production and policies among member countries to influence global oil prices.

Economies of Scale

The cost advantages that businesses or organizations gain as they increase the scale of their operations, resulting in a reduction in per-unit costs due to the spread of fixed costs over a larger volume of production or activity. Example: The European Union (EU) reduces costs by allowing member countries to share resources for projects like transportation, making trade and travel more efficient.