AP Human Geography Unit 4.6-4.10 Vocabulary

Voting District

geographical area which is represented by a seat or numerous seats in a legislative body (435 congressional districts)

Redistricting

redrawing the boundaries of voting districts, usually after a census

Gerrymandering

process of re-drawing political voting districts to favor one political party

Unitary State

Power is concentrated/located centrally, with very little power given to local governments. The purpose of regional or local units is to carry out policy rather than to independently make law or policy.

Federal State

-Power is shared between central, regional, and local governments, giving regional and local governments much authority and autonomy to administer their spaces in order to account for needs of diverse groups.

-Power is spread across the country, not consolidated in the core area.

Ethnic Separatism

mainly religion, language, or ethnicity related differences.

--> the desire of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, governmental, or gender separation from the larger group.

-ethnic minorities cluster in specific regions of a state

-Independence movements may start

-desired regional autonomy expressed by a culturally distinctive group within a larger, politically dominant culture

Ethnic Cleansing

the mass expulsion or killing of members of an unwanted ethnic or religious group in a society; to remove an ethnic or religious group from a certain geographic area by violent or terrorist-related activities

Terrorism

violence against (typically) civilians for political reasons; organized violence aimed at government and civilian targets creating fear to further political goals

Irredentism

When a state wants to annex/claim territory whose population is ethnically similar to that of the state but is under sovereignty of a different country; movement to unite people due to a shared culture (e.g. a language or other cultural elements) but are divided by/ across a national border.

-a national group controls one country while also seeking control of an adjacent area of a second country

Supranationalism

Three or more states form administrative structure for mutual benefit and in pursuit of shared goals.

Sometimes this means sacrificing state sovereignty

-the process of nation states organizing politically and economically

into one organization or alliance

-multiple countries form an organization for the military, economic, or social benefit of all members

Democratization

the transition from autocratic/authoritarian government to more representative forms of politics that are elected by the people (citizens have a voice in government).

Economies of Scale

cost advantages gained by an increased level of production.

--> As countries agree to produce more of a good, the revenue received from selling that good is bound to increase (average cost per unit falls as output rises)

Trade Agreements

treaty between two or more states who agree on trade, tariffs, taxes, and often include investment guarantees.

Military Alliances

alliance between two or more states who agree on mutual protection and support in case of a crisis.

Supranational Organizations

-An alliance of three or more states that work together and form administrative structure for mutual benefit and in pursuit of shared, common goals.

-Sometimes this means sacrificing state sovereignty

-Typically regional in scale, but there are some globalized -> United Nations

United Nations

193 member states (most countries of the world + 2 as non-member states)-mission is to promote peace, security, and human rights.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

30 member states (U.S., Canada, Iceland, countries in western & central Europe, & Turkey)- mission is to provide mutual defense of member states. it is the largest military alliance.

European Union

27 countries mostly in western and central Europe-mission is to in integrate member states politically and economically

Arctic Council

8 members of only countries with territory in the Arctic- mission is to foster cooperation, coordination, and interaction among Arctic states with participation of Arctic indigenous communities.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

countries from SE Asia-mission is to advance economic growth, peace, social progress, and cultural and economic development in the region

African Union

all 55 countries in Africa- mission is to advocate peace, security, and stability through economic development and global integration.

Centrifugal force

characteristics that divide a country, its citizenry, and create instability, conflict and violence.

Failed State

state is unable to perform basic governmental responsibilities and lacks proper authority over its land.

-A state so weak that its political structures collapse, leading to anarchy and violence

Ethnic Nationalist Movement

a specific group may want more autonomy or full separation from a country based on ethnicity or nationality.

-members of an ethnic group embrace nationalism as a movement for independence from the larger dominant group.

Centripetal Force

characteristics that unify a country, provide stability, and unite a country's population.

Ethnonationalism

the people of a country identify as having one common ethnicity, language, and religion which creates a sense of pride and ties them to the territory(national identity based on common ethnicity).

-united against a common enemy

-support for the political interests of a particular ethnic group within a state, especially its national independence or self-determination

Cultural Cohesion

The capacity of different national and ethnic groups to make a mutual commitment to live together as citizens of the same state.

-degree of harmony and unity within a society among people from different cultural backgrouds within a community