Political Geography Lecture Notes

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to political geography.

Political Geography

The study of the spatial organization of political processes, systems, and power, including boundaries, states, and governance.

Political Map

A map that shows governmental boundaries of countries, states, counties, and cities.

State

An organized political unit with a permanent population, defined territory, and a government.

Independent State

A political unit that is not controlled by another state.

Sovereign State

A state that has the ultimate authority over its territory and domestic and foreign affairs.

Nation

A group of people with a shared identity based on culture, language, religion, or history.

Nation-State

A state whose political boundaries largely coincide with the territory occupied by a particular nation.

Nationalism

A strong sense of loyalty and devotion to a nation, often leading to the desire for self-rule.

Stateless Nation

A nation that does not possess its own independent state.

Multinational State

A state that contains two or more distinct nations within its borders.

Autonomous Region

An area within a state that has substantial self-governing authority.

Devolution

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

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism based on a shared ethnic identity.

Peripheral States

Less-developed states that have limited industrialization and political influence.

Choke Point

A narrow passageway that controls movement or trade.

Boundary

A line that separates political or territorial units.

Borderland

A zone where the cultures of neighboring states intermingle.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

An area where military forces are prohibited to reduce conflict.

Buffer State

A small state located between two rival powers.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

An area extending 200 nautical miles from a coastline where a state controls resources.

Electoral Geography

The study of how geographic factors influence voting behavior.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of district boundaries to favor a political party.

Federal State

A state where power is divided between national and regional governments.

Terrorism

The use of violence by non-state actors to achieve political goals.

Democratization

The process of transitioning from authoritarian rule to democracy.

Supranationalism

The transfer of authority from individual states to a larger organization.

Failed State

A state that lacks the capacity to provide basic services or maintain order.

Cultural Cohesion

The degree to which people share common cultural traits.