Political Patterns and Processes Vocabulary

Flashcards containing vocabulary terms and their definitions related to political patterns and processes.

Nation State

A political unit where the boundaries of a nation coincide with the boundaries of the state, and the population shares a sense of unity based on culture, language, or ethnicity.

Stateless Nation

A nation of people that does not have its own sovereign state or is not the majority population in any state.

Multi State Nation

A nation that stretches across the boundaries of multiple states.

Autonomous

A region within a state that has a high degree of self-government and freedom from external control.

Semi Autonomous

A region with limited self-governance but still largely under the control of a central government.

Devolution

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

Self Determination

The concept that nations have the right to govern themselves without outside interference.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Colonialism

The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy, military force, or economic dominance.

Neocolonialism

The practice of using economic, political, or cultural pressures to control or influence other countries, particularly former colonies, without direct military or political control.

Shatterbelt

A region caught between stronger, colliding external cultural, political, or ideological forces, leading to instability or conflict.

Choke Point

A geographical feature such as a strait or canal where narrowness or access can significantly impact trade or military strategy.