Chapter 11 | Political Challenges and Changes

Ethnic separatism

The process by which people of a particular ethnicity in a multinational state identify more strongly as members of their ethnic group than as citizens of the state

Ethnic cleansing

The process by which a state attacks an ethnic group and tries to eliminate it through expulsion, imprisonment, or killing

Supranational organization

An alliance of three or more states that work together in pursuit of common goals or to address an issue or challenge

Economies of scale

Cost reductions that occur when production rises

Ethnonationalism

The process by which the people of a country identify as having one common ethnicity, religious belief, and language, creating a sense of pride and identity that is tied to the territory; also called ethnic nationalism

Devolution

Destabilizing process that stresses a state's existing structure

Distance decay

Principle that states as distance increases, communication decreases

Centripetal force

A force that unites groups of people

Political centripetal force

A force that draws people together and supports the sovereignty of the state

Confederation

a group of sovereign states that have banded together where the autonomy of each member state is more important than the common government

Centrifugal force

A force that divides groups of people

Political centrifugal force

A force that pulls a state apart or diminishes its ability to govern

Seperatists

May want complete secession or just greater autonomy or recognition

Failed state

A state that cannot govern and whose sovereignty is threatened