Territoriality in Political Geography

These flashcards cover key concepts relating to territoriality in political geography, including definitions, examples, and implications.

What is political geography?

The study of how space is organised, governed, and controlled through political processes.

How did Alexander Stewart (1874) define political geography?

As the description of the Earth as occupied by humans and divided into nations and kingdoms.

“A description of the earth as occupied by man and divided into nations and kingdoms” - Alexander Stewart, 1874

What is territory?

A defined area of land controlled or claimed by an individual, group, or state.

What is territoriality?

A strategy used to influence or control people and interactions by asserting control over a geographic area.

Who defined territoriality as a strategy of control?

Robert Sack.

He also said territoriality is a behaviour and a strategy

“the attempt to affect, influence or control actions and interactions by asserting and attempting to enforce control over a geographic area”

Why is territoriality not the same as ownership?

Because territoriality refers to behaviour and strategies of control, not legal possession of land.

Why is territoriality considered an active process?

Because it involves continuously asserting, enforcing, and managing control over space.

What is the main purpose of territoriality?

To regulate access, maintain order, and exercise power over people and resources.

How does biological territoriality explain behaviour?

As instinctive behaviour seen in animals to protect resources and ensure survival.

How does Sack explain human territoriality?

As primarily cultural and strategic rather than biological or instinctive.

At what scales is human territoriality most culturally shaped?

At larger scales such as states and global politics.

How does personal space demonstrate territoriality?

Through culturally defined norms about acceptable distance between people.

Give an example of cultural variation in personal space.

Men greeting with kisses in Uzbekistan is culturally acceptable.

How do gated communities illustrate territoriality?

By controlling access to space using physical barriers and entry codes.

How do gangs or tribes demonstrate territoriality?

By defending and enforcing control over specific areas.

How do states use territoriality?

Through borders, passports, laws, and border enforcement.

How does Brexit relate to territoriality?

As an attempt to reclaim control over borders, laws, and national space.

Why is territoriality central to conflicts such as Russia–Ukraine?

Because states use territorial expansion to assert power and control.

How did colonial borders demonstrate territoriality?

By imposing boundaries that reflected imperial power rather than local realities.

Why is the Sudan–Uganda boundary an example of imposed territoriality?

It was drawn by colonial authorities with little regard for indigenous populations.

Why are maps considered political tools?

Because they shape perceptions of space and legitimise territorial claims.

How does the Mercator projection reflect power relations?

By exaggerating the size of Europe and Greenland relative to Africa.

Why is mapping itself a territorial act?

Because it defines, represents, and reinforces control over space.

At what scales does territoriality operate?

Personal, neighbourhood, state, and global scales.

What does territoriality reveal about power?

That control over space is socially constructed and unequally distributed.

Can territoriality exist without conflict?

Yes, it can also support cooperation, governance, and order.

Summarise territoriality in one sentence.

Territoriality is a culturally shaped strategy used to control space, people, and interactions across multiple scales.