State
A political unit with defined boundaries, a population, recognition, and sovereignty
Nation
A cultural unit in a specific territory with a shared identity due to history/heritage
Nation-State
The political boundaries (state) and cultural boundaries (nation) match. Nation-states are homogeneous.
This is not very common. Some of the best current examples are Iceland and Japan.
The main advantage of a nation-state is that since there is cultural unity it is often easier to maintain political unity as well (since the population already identifies together).
Multinational State
A state (country) with more than one cultural group. Multinational states are heterogenous (diverse).
This is much more common than nation-states, most countries are multinational states.
Advantages of a multinational state can include-
Openness to immigrants
Political links to other countries
Economic links to other countries
Improved perspectives
Multi-state nation
When a nation stretches across state boundaries.
The Kurdish people are found within the boundaries of six states.
Stateless nation
When a nation lacks control of a state.
The Kurds are also an example of a stateless nation. They wish to create the country of Kurdistan shown on the map, but have received international recognition for the proposed state.
Stateless nations can sometimes undermine established governments as they seek establishment of a state.
Semi Autonomous and Autonomous Regions
Self-determination
Sometimes countries might do this because the region is geographically distinct OR, more commonly, that there is a dominant minority group (majority-minority) in the region.
The creation of autonomous regions can help manage competing forces in multinational states and can help appease stateless nations so that the country can remain unified.
Self-determination
Ability of a country to make their own political choices
Political Power
Political Power is expressed geographically as control over people, land, and resources. Those who hold Political Power control the behavior of people through laws and regulations.
Choke Point
A strategic strait or canal (geographical feature) which could be controlled by a country
Makes it harder for an area to be captured
Can be closed/blocked to stop or prohibit trade
EX: The Strait of Hormuz which connects the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf
Shatterbelt
An area of instability between regions with opposing political and/or cultural views
A region under persistent stress or tension, and often fragmented by rivals
EX: Israel and Kashmir today + Eastern Europe during the Cold War
Neocolonialism
The use of economic, political, cultural, or other means to control or influence other countries, especially those of former colonies
When nations and corporations dominate subject nations
Can be applied to multinational corporations in MDCs controlling resources in LDCs
EX: DeBeers is based in the UK but controls a large number of the diamond mines in African countries
Relic Boundary
Boundary that existed as an official boundary but does not anymore
Ex. Berlin Wall between East and West Germany & Great Wall of China
Consequent Boundary(Cultural/Ethnographic)
Boundary between different cultures, languages, or religions
Ex. border between India (Hinduism) and Pakistan (Islam) & Ireland (mostly Catholic) and Northern Ireland (mostly Protestant)
Superimposed Boundary
Boundary imposed by an outside power or force ignores existing cultures around the area
Ex. Many African countries (Berlin Conference)
Antecedent Boundary
Boundary that existed before human settlement and (cultural) changes in landscape
Ex. Western States in the U.S.
Subsequent Boundary
Boundary created during human settlement with changes in culture of landscape \n usually not geometric
Ex. Northeast U.S. (colonization)
Defining Boundary
Deciding the geographic location of the boundary
Delimiting Boundary
The recording of the boundary on a map
Demarcating Boundary
Marking the boundary somehow physically
Usually involves regulation of trade and passage across the boundary
Administering Boundary
Maintaining the boundary
Reasons for conflict over Borders
Area is contested
Political instability Between neighboring states
Distribution of resources as a result of the border
Territorial Waters
Are waters that are enclosed by boundaries off the shore of costal and island states which are considered part of the state's territory.
Defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLONS)
Is a belt of costal water extending, at most, 12 nautical miles (22.2 km or 13.8 mi) from the baseline (normally the average low-water mark) of a costal state
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)
Sea zone over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources.
For example: Any energy production, from wind or water, in these areas will be under control of the state which boundary it is within
Unlike territorial waters, EEZs have a reduced sovereign right on the resources in them
Landlocked Countries
Landlocked countries are at a huge disadvantage because their international trade depends on transit through other countries.
Reapportionment
Reassigning legislative seats among districts after census reports so they each represent the same amount of people
Redistricting
Redrawing voting district lines (usually due to population change)
Gerrymandering
Manipulating voting district boundaries to make people favor one political party over another
Process is disliked, but not illegal
Common tactics = packing and cracking
Packing
Creating district where support for opposition is overwhelming Why: While they may win those districts, they aren't in others, so they can't win majority control.
(access vote gerrymandering: since the opposition has more votes than needed in districts they're packed in)
Cracking
Disperses the opposition among districts so that they lose everywhere (wasted vote gerrymandering: the votes for opposition are all wasted since none of them are expressed)
Unitary System
Central government is supreme Operates as one unit Centralized
Ex. China
Federal System
Divides power between the different subdivisions Not as Centralized
Ex. USA
Unitary Government Pros and Cons
Pros
People follow same laws, have same policies
Decisions are more efficient
Cons
Disconnects with minority regions within the country
Can't respond to unique needs as wel
Federal Government Pros and Cons
Pros
Can help prevent disintegration of a state due to diverse interests
Subnational units can create their own solutions that are more effective in meeting localized needs
Cons
Inequalities between subunits; not the same throughout the country
Less unified, conflict between the different levels; redundancy in services (ie. state police and local police
Devolution
The movement of power from the central government to a smaller, self-identified community within it.
In the sub-units formed by devolution, the power is not evenly divided.
[Physical Geography] Factors that can lead to the devolution of states
Isolated villages, rugged topography, and islands often want to separate from the country
[Ethnic Separatism] Factors that can lead to the devolution of states
Groups with ethno-nationalist views often want independence and to control their own area within a country, the compromise being devolution
[Ethnic Cleansing ] Factors that can lead to the devolution of states
A country may want to wipe a certain ethnic group out of the state but grant them power over their territory instead
[Terrorism] Factors that can lead to the devolution of states
Violent uprising of a group can lead political powers to grant them some autonomy over their concentration within an area of a country
[Economic and Social Problems] Factors that can lead to the devolution of states
Poorer areas of the country can often feel disadvantaged and at the same time, richer areas don't want to provide for the poor
[Irredentism] Factors that can lead to the devolution of states
An state may want to claim or influence an area within another state that has a majority of people from that ethnicity, especially if it was part of it in the past.
Examples of Devolution
The United Kingdom- Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have some degree of authority over their own territories but they are still a part of a larger country, the UK
Belgium- The federal government divides power among different areas. These “communities” represent divided languages and cultures.
Nigeria- The use of federalism in Nigeria refers to the devolution of self-governance of Nigeria to its federal states who share sovereignty with the federal government.
Canada- devolution occurred in regards to the Northwest Territories (largely native peoples) by giving people in those areas decision-making power over resources and land use; Canada is also noted for giving Quebec concessions regarding language laws (French).
Disintegration
The process of a state breaking up into two or more independent parts
Often disintegration is not only about politics within the country, but also the influence of other countries
Examples of Disintegration
Sudan- South Sudan separated from Sudan in 2011 largely due to religious differences. The South was largely Christian and Animist and the North largely Islamic
Soviet Union- It was broken into 15 different states. Different cultures, ideas, and poverty mainly caused the downfall of the Soviet Union.
East Timor- Once part of Indonesia, they separated from the rest of Timor and they now have their own independence. Although, Timor is still part of Indonesia.
Supranationalism
Supranationalism is where 3 or more states work together for a common political, economic, military or cultural purpose.
Advantage and Disadvantage of Supranationalism
KEY ADVANTAGE
More collective power, increase trade, political security.
KEY DISADVANTAGE
When a state joins a supranational org they give up some of their own power to the org.(loss of sovereignty)
The United Nations
Formed after WWII to promote peace in world
Mission is to build peaceful relationships among states
Conflict is resolved peacefully
Has many agencies or organs w/in it (ex: World Health Org)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Largest military budget in world
Main goal ls to protect the states involved through military
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Set up to promote cultural, economic and political development in the region
Manages the water resource issues in the seas in the region
Arctic Council
cooperation between Arctic states
involvement of the many indigenous communities of the Arctic
concerned with sustainable development and environmental issues of the Arctic
Centripetal Forces
Events or circumstances that help unite the people of a state
Equality
Cultural Homogeneity
Shared Language
Patriotism
Good Leadership
Geographic Boundaries keeping people inside
Flourishing Economy
Uniform Government Policies
Strong Infrastructure
Raison D'etre
Raison D'etre
The purpose or reason for the initial existence of a state
Literally translated in French as "the reason for being
It is the most significant centripetal force
Example: Israel's Raison D'etre➔ to create a homeland for the Jews
Centrifugal Forces
Events or circumstances that divide and split the people of a state,
Discrimination & Inequality
Cultural Diversity
Various Languages
Various Religions
Economic Disparities
Government policies that exclude one or more groups
Geographic Boundaries splitting a country
Multinational States
Poor Leadership
Poverty
Weak Infrastructure
Lack of a Raison D'etre
Ex: Yugoslavia was created as a multinational state with split religions and languages and did not have a Raison D'etre. Eventually, the country broke apart.