Studied by 7 people
State
A geographic area with a permanent population, defined borders, a sovereign government, and recognition by other states.
Nation
A group of people with a shared culture, history, homeland, and desire to govern themselves.
Self-determination
The right or desire of a nation to self-govern.
Nation-state
A self-governing state with a relatively uniform population that shares a common language, culture, and history.
Multinational state
A state that consists of multiple nations within its borders.
Multi-state nation
A nation that exists across multiple states.
Stateless nation
A nation that has a history of self-determination but no officially recognized state.
Autonomous region
A region within a state that enjoys a certain level of independence and self-rule.
Semi-autonomous region
Regions controlled by another state but granted moderate self-governance.
Colonialism
The practice of acquiring territories and settling them to exert control over political, economic, and social aspects.
Imperialism
The idea of growing an empire by exerting force over nations to gain power without establishing settlements.
Berlin Conference
A meeting where European powers established political boundaries in Africa without regard for local cultures.
Decolonization
The process by which colonies gain independence from their colonizers.
Devolution
The transfer of political power from a central government to regional governments.
Territoriality
The tendency of people to establish and defend a specific geographic area.
Neocolonialism
The indirect use of political or economic power to influence or control another country.
Shatter belt
An area where countries are subject to political, cultural, and economic pressures from conflicting external powers.
Choke points
Geographic areas that must be passed to reach a particular destination, holding significant political power.
Geometric boundary
A boundary defined by straight lines, often following lines of latitude and longitude.
Antecedent boundary
A boundary established before human settlement, often based on physical geography.
Relic boundary
A boundary that is no longer recognized but still impacts the cultural landscape.
Superimposed boundary
A boundary created by an external power with no consideration for local communities.
Subsequent boundary
A boundary that develops along with the cultural landscape.
Consequent boundary
A type of subsequent boundary created to separate different ethnic, religious, or linguistic groups.
Failed state
A geographic area where no state has direct power or control.
International boundaries
Boundaries that separate one sovereign state from another.
Internal boundaries
Boundaries that separate different regions within a single state.
Definitional boundary dispute
Disputes that occur over the interpretation of documents defining a boundary.
Locational boundary dispute
Disputes that occur over the physical location of a boundary.
Operational boundary dispute
Disputes that occur over management and enforcement of a boundary.
Allocational boundary dispute
Disputes that occur over natural resources found on or within a boundary.
UNCLOS
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, aimed at addressing maritime boundary disputes.
Territorial waters
A zone extending 12 nautical miles from a shore where states may set laws regulating passage.
Contiguous zone
A zone extending from 12 to 24 nautical miles where states may enforce laws on pollution, taxation, customs, and immigration.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
A zone extending from 24 to 200 nautical miles where states have rights to natural resources.
Gerrymandering
The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over another.
Cracking
A gerrymandering tactic where like-minded voters are spread across many districts.
Packing
A gerrymandering tactic where like-minded voters are concentrated into a few districts.
Unitary state
A state where power is concentrated at the national level.
Federal state
A state where power is distributed between the national government and regional governments.
Ethnic separatism
When a cultural group seeks greater political power or independence from the state.
Irredentism
A movement by a nation to unite other parts of its nation that are located in another state's boundaries.
Disintegration of a state
The process whereby a state breaks into smaller parts and ceases to exist in its current form.
Supranational organization
An alliance between multiple countries working together to achieve common goals.
Centrifugal forces
Forces that divide people, a state, or a group.
Centripetal forces
Forces that unite people, a state, or a group.
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