unit 4 ap human geo

What is political geography?

The study of how political power, boundaries, and government are organized across space.

What is a state?

A politically organized territory with a permanent population, defined boundaries, a government, and the ability to conduct foreign relations.

What is a nation?

A group of people with a shared culture, history, or identity.

What is a nation-state?

A state whose population mostly shares a common culture and identity.

What is a stateless nation?

A nation that does not have its own sovereign state (ex: Kurds).

What is a multinational state?

A state with multiple ethnic or cultural groups (ex: Nigeria).

What is a multi state nation?

A nation that spans across more than one state (ex: Koreans).

What is sovereignty?

A state’s ability to govern itself without outside interference.

What are boundaries?

Invisible lines that separate political territories.

Types of political boundaries

Natural, geometric, and cultural boundaries.

What is a natural boundary?

A boundary based on physical features like rivers or mountains.

What is a geometric boundary?

A boundary drawn using straight lines or arcs.

What is a cultural boundary?

A boundary based on language, religion, or ethnicity.

What causes boundary disputes?

Conflicts over resources, ethnic groups, or unclear borders.

What is territoriality?

A state’s attempt to control land and resources within its boundaries.

What are centripetal forces?

Forces that unite a state, such as shared culture or strong leadership.

Front:

Forces that divide a state, such as ethnic conflict or regional inequality.

What is a federal state?

Power is divided between national and regional governments (ex: United States).

What is a unitary state?

Power is concentrated in the central government (ex: France).

What is a confederation?

A weak central government with strong regional governments.

What is democratization?

The process of becoming more democratic.

What is colonialism?

Control of one territory by a more powerful state.

What is imperialism?

Extending political or economic control over other territories.

What is decolonization?

The process by which colonies gain independence.

What is a supranational organization?

A group of states that work together for common goals (ex: EU, UN).

Purpose of the UN

Promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.

Purpose of the EU

Economic and political cooperation among European countries.

What is a shatterbelt?

A region of political instability often caused by external forces (ex: Middle East).

What is electoral geography?

The study of voting patterns and political behavior.

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing voting districts to favor a political party.

What is redistricting?

Redrawing district boundaries after a census.

Example of a centripetal force

Shared language or national identity.

Example of a centrifugal force

Ethnic conflict or uneven economic development.

What does a political map show?

Countries, borders, and capitals.

Why do boundaries change?

War, treaties, decolonization, or political agreements.

Why are boundaries in Africa often geometric?

They were drawn by European colonizers with little regard for ethnic groups.

Federal vs. Unitary

Federal = shared power; Unitary = centralized power.

Gerrymandering affects…

Electoral outcomes and political representation.

Why scale matters in political geography

Political patterns change at local, national, and global scales.

Why does political geography matter?

It explains conflict, cooperation, and how power is organized across space.