Units 1-4 Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing key concepts from Units 1-4.

What is Commercial Agriculture?

Farming that concentrates on producing crops or livestock for sale in the market.

What is Culture?

The study of past and present human cultures.

What is Ethnocentrism?

The practice of judging another culture by the standards of one's own culture.

What is a Nation-State?

A state whose territory corresponds to that occupied by a particular ethnicity that has been transformed into a nationality.

What is a Multinational State?

A state that contains more than one nation within its borders.

What is Sovereignty?

The exercise of state power over people and territory and being recognized as having that right by other states

What is Devolution?

The process whereby regions within a state demand and gain political strength and growing autonomy at the expense of the central government.

What is Colonialism?

An attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory.

What is a Nation?

A group of people who share a common ancestry, language, religion, or other cultural traits.

What is a Universalizing Religion?

A religion that attempts to appeal to all people, regardless of location or culture.

What is an Ethnic Religion?

A religion that is identified with a particular ethnic or tribal group; does not seek converts.

What is Acculturation?

The process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group.

What is Assimilation?

The process by which a person or persons acquire the social and psychological characteristics of a group

What is Syncretism?

The combining of different beliefs and practices.

What is Multiculturalism?

The doctrine that several different cultures (rather than one national culture) can coexist peacefully and equitably in a single country

What is a Nation?

A state of collective identity based on shared descent, language, culture, etc.

What is an Independence Movement?

When a group of people within a nation-state desire political autonomy

What is Neocolonialism?

The use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies.

What is a Shatterbelt?

A country or region that is caught between the conflicting interests of major external powers.

What is a Choke Point?

A strategic narrow route providing passage through or to another region.

What is a Antecedent Boundary?

A boundary line that is established before the area in question is well populated.

What is a Consequent Boundary?

A boundary line that coincides with some cultural divide, such as religion, language, or ethnicity.

What is a Demilitarized Zone?

An area where treaties or agreements between nations, military powers or contending groups forbid military installations, activities or personnel.

What is Democratization?

Conversion to a democratic form of government.

What are Economies of Scale?

Economic advantages of larger industries

What is the United Nations?

An international organization of countries set up in 1945, in the wake of World War II to promote international peace and security.

What is NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)?

A formal alliance between the territories of North American and Europe.

What is the European Union?

A political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.

What is ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)?

Designed to promote cooperation, peace and stability, economic growth, and progress in Southeast Asia.

What is Cultural Cohesion?

A high degree of homogeneity among a group.

What is Globalization?

The process of expansion and intensification of linkages and flows of capital, people, goods, ideas, and cultures across national borders