AP Human Geography Unit 4: Political Organization of Space

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms from the AP Human Geography Unit 4 lecture notes.

antecedent boundary

A political boundary established before the area's cultural landscape was fully developed or settled.

apartheid

A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the government of South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s.

autonomous region

An area within a country that has some degree of self-governance and political independence while remaining part of the larger state.

balance of power

A distribution of military and economic strength among nations that prevents any single country from becoming too dominant.

balkanization

The process of a region or country breaking apart into smaller, often hostile political units.

boundary

A line that marks the outer limits of a state's territory and separates it from other states or bodies of water.

centrifugal forces

Social, political, or economic factors that push a country toward disunity and fragmentation.

centripetal force

Social, political, or economic factors that unite a country and strengthen national identity.

choke point

A narrow passage or strategic location through which large quantities of goods or military forces must pass.

colonialism

The practice of establishing political control over distant territories and their peoples, typically for economic gain.

consequent boundary

A political boundary drawn after an area has been settled and reflects the cultural and ethnic characteristics of the population.

demilitarized zone

A region where military forces and weapons are prohibited, often established as a buffer between conflicting nations.

democracy

A system of government in which power rests with the people, who exercise authority either directly or through elected representatives.

democratization

The process of transitioning from an authoritarian or non-democratic system of government to a democratic one.

devolution

The transfer of political power and authority from a central government to regional or local governments.

electoral college

A group of electors who are chosen to cast votes for the president and vice president of a country.

ethnic cleansing

The forced removal or extermination of an ethnic group from a territory, often involving violence and intimidation.

ethnicity

The shared cultural identity of a group based on common ancestry, language, religion, customs, or traditions.

ethnonationalism

A political ideology that combines ethnic identity with nationalist goals, often seeking political independence or dominance for a particular ethnic group.

failed state

A country whose government has lost the ability to provide basic services, maintain order, or exercise effective control over its territory.

federal state

A country in which power is divided between a central government and regional or state governments.

frontier

A zone of territory at the edge of a settled area where political control is not clearly established or is contested.

genocide

The systematic and deliberate killing of a large group of people, particularly those from a specific ethnic, racial, or religious group.

geometric boundary

A political boundary drawn using straight lines or geometric shapes, often without regard to natural or cultural features.

gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group over another.

ghetto

A section of a city, typically poor and overcrowded, inhabited primarily by members of a particular ethnic or racial group.

imperialism

The policy or practice of extending a country's power and influence over other territories and peoples, often through military force or political pressure.

independence movement

An organized effort by a group or region to break away from the control of another country and establish self-governance.

irredentism

A political movement seeking to recover or annex territory that was historically part of a nation but is now controlled by another state.

maritime boundary

A boundary between countries that runs through ocean or sea waters, typically extending from the coastline.

monarchy

A system of government in which a single person, usually a king or queen, holds supreme authority.

multinational state

A country that contains multiple ethnic, national, or cultural groups within its borders.

multistate nation

An ethnic or cultural group whose members are spread across multiple countries.

nation

A large group of people united by common ancestry, language, culture, religion, or historical experience.

nation-state

A country whose borders correspond with the territory of a particular nation, and whose government represents that nation's people.

nationalism

A political ideology emphasizing loyalty to one's nation and often promoting national independence or superiority.

neocolonialism

The practice of using economic, political, or cultural pressure to control or influence other countries, rather than direct military force or political control.

part nation-state

A country that is home to only a portion of a larger nation, with other parts of that nation living in different countries.

race

A social category based on physical characteristics such as skin color, though the concept has no scientific biological basis.

redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically done after a census to reflect population changes.

relic boundary

A former political boundary that no longer functions as a boundary but may still influence the cultural or economic landscape.

republic

A system of government in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and there is no monarch.

self-determination

The right of a people to choose their own form of government and determine their political status without external interference.

semiautonomous region

An area within a country that has limited self-governance but less independence than a fully autonomous region.

separatist movement

An organized effort by a group to break away from a larger political unit and establish an independent state.

shatterbelt

A region of geopolitical instability characterized by frequent conflict and competition among major powers.

sovereignty

The power of a state to govern itself and make decisions without interference from other states.

state

A politically organized territory with a permanent population, defined boundaries, a government, and the ability to enter into relations with other states.

stateless nation

An ethnic or cultural group that does not have its own independent country or state.

subsequent boundary

A political boundary drawn after an area has been settled and that reflects the cultural, ethnic, or linguistic divisions of the population.

superimposed boundary

A political boundary imposed on an area by an external power, often without regard to the existing cultural or ethnic landscape.

supranationalism

The process of countries working together and surrendering some degree of sovereignty to achieve common goals.

territoriality

The tendency of individuals or groups to occupy and defend a specific geographic area.

terrorism

The use of violence and intimidation against civilians to create fear and achieve political or ideological goals.

theocracy

A system of government in which religious leaders hold political power and religious law is the basis for government law.

unitary state

A country in which all political power is held by a central government, with little or no power granted to regional or local governments.