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What is a Centripetal Force?

A force or attitude that unifies people and enhances support for a state.

What does a Centrifugal Force do?

It divides people and weakens support for a state.

Define Supranational Organization.

An organization formed by three or more states for mutual benefits.

What is Gerrymandering?

The redrawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit the political party in power.

What does Sovereignty mean?

The political authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference.

What is a City-State?

A small sovereign state that consists of a city and its surrounding territory.

Define State in political geography.

A political unit with a permanent population, defined borders recognized by other states, and a government.

What is a Nation?

A group of people who share a common culture and history and desire political autonomy.

Define Nation-State.

A state whose population is made up of a single nation.

What is a Stateless Nation?

A nation that does not have its own independent state.

What is a Multi-State Nation?

A nation that exists across the borders of more than one state.

Define Multinational State.

A state that contains two or more distinct nations or cultural groups.

What is an Autonomous Region?

A region that governs itself but is not fully independent from its parent country.

What does Self-Determination mean?

The idea that ethnic groups have the right to govern themselves.

What is Imperialism?

Control of territory that is already occupied and organized by an indigenous society.

Define Colonialism.

The effort by one country to establish settlements and impose control over a territory.

What is a Colony?

A territory legally tied to a sovereign state rather than being fully independent.

What is a Microstate?

A state with an extremely small land area.

Define Perforated State.

A state that completely surrounds another state.

What is an Elongated State?

A state with a long and narrow shape.

Define Fragmented State.

A state with several non-contiguous pieces of territory.

What is a Compact State?

A state where the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary greatly.

Define Prorupted State.

A compact state with a large projecting extension.

What is a Shatterbelt?

A region caught between two extremely opposing regions, leading to instability.

What does Choke Point refer to?

A narrow geographic passage where movement can be easily blocked or controlled.

Define Balkanization.

The process by which a state breaks down through conflicts among its ethnicities.

What is Uneven Development?

Economic inequality between different parts of a state.

What does Ethnic Separatism mean?

When ethnic groups cluster in specific regions and seek independence.

What is Ethnic Cleansing?

The mass expulsion or killing of members of an unwanted ethnic or religious group.

Define Irredentism.

A political movement to claim territory inhabited by people with ethnic links to a claimant country.

What is Terrorism?

The use of organized violence against civilians or governments to instill fear and advance political goals.

Define Devolution.

The transfer of political power from central to lower levels of government.

What are examples of Disintegration of States?

The breakup of a state into smaller states due to conflict.

What is a Unitary State?

A state where most of the power is held by the central government.

Define Federal State.

A state that distributes power to regional or local governments.

What is an Exclave?

A region that is part of a state but separated from the main part.

What is an Enclave?

A territory completely surrounded by another state.

Define Political Boundary.

A line defining the territory of a state based on political agreements.

What is a Natural Boundary?

A boundary based on physical features like rivers and mountains.

Define Geometric Boundary.

A boundary drawn as a straight line, often without regard to physical or cultural features.

What is a Relic Boundary?

A former boundary that no longer functions but has historical significance.

Define Superimposed Boundary.

A boundary imposed by outside powers, ignoring existing cultural patterns.

What is an Antecedent Boundary?

A boundary that existed before human settlement.

Define Subsequent Boundary.

A boundary created after settlement, shaped by cultural landscapes.

What is a Consequent Boundary?

A type of subsequent boundary drawn to reflect cultural differences.

What is a Militarized Boundary?

A heavily guarded boundary discouraged for crossing.

Define Open Boundary.

A boundary where crossing is allowed with minimal restrictions.

What does Limit of Sovereignty mean in the context of international borders?

Borders define the area where a state exercises legal control.

What is a source of disputes regarding borders?

Borders can cause conflict when not clearly defined or agreed upon.

What is a Buffer Zone (DMZ)?

A demilitarized area established to reduce conflict.

What is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)?

An agreement defining maritime boundaries.

What was a significant change in European states after World War I?

Efforts were made to divide Europe into nation-states using language to define ethnic groups.