Unit 4: Political Patterns & Processes

Nation

A group of people in a given geographical area with common heritage

Colonization

The act of one country establishing control over a foreign territory and its indigenous people, often exploiting resources and imposing its own culture and political structure

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, especially by acquiring territories and establishing dominance.

Nation-State

A sovereign state where the majority of its citizens share a common culture, identity, and often language, making its territory largely correspond to a nation's territory.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gain independence from a colonizing power, dismantling colonial structures and achieving self-governance

Neo-colonialism

The use of economic, political, or cultural influence by powerful countries to control or exploit other countries, especially former colonies, without direct military or political rule.

Dependency Theory

A theory explaining how the economic development of less developed countries is hindered by their reliance on developed 'core' countries, perpetuating global inequalities.

Multistate Nations

A nation whose population is dispersed and inhabits multiple sovereign states, thus crossing international borders.

Stateless Nation

A nation of people who lack their own sovereign territory or recognized state, often existing as minorities within other countries.

Terriorty

A defined area of land, including its airspace and waters, that is under the political control and jurisdiction of a state or governmental authority.

Commonwealth

An association of independent states, often former colonies, that share common values or historical ties, like the Commonwealth of Nations. Also refers to a political entity for the common good.

Self-determination

The right of a people to freely determine their own political status and form of government, without external interference

Statehood

The status of being a recognized independent state, possessing sovereignty over its territory and populace, and the capacity for international relations.

Richard Hartshorne

Described the forces within the state that unify the people and the forces that divide them

centripetal

centrifugal

Unitary

Highly centralized government where the capital city serves as a focus of power.

Federal

Power is shared between a central government and the governments of provinces/states.

Confederate

Territoriality

Delimitation

Demarcation

Administration 

Supra-National Scale

State Scale

Intra-State Scale

Airspace

Continental Shelf

Fortified Boundaries

Geometric Boundary

Physical Boundary

Cultural Boundaries

Antecedent Boundary

Subsequent/Consequent Boundary

Superimposed

Relic Boundary

Maritime Boundaries

Operational Border Dispute

Allocational Border Dispute

Choke Points

Devolution

Ethnocultural

Nations within a state define themselves as distinct: ethnically, linguistically or religiously.

Balkanization

Process by which a state breaks up into new smaller states. (Ex: Yugoslavia)

Shatter Belt;

Area that suffers instability between 2 very different regions

Irredentism

Unredeemed territory usually involving a political movement which intends to reclaim territory which was lost to another state.

Spatial devolution 

Is the process of transferring power from a central government to subnational, regional governments, driven by distinct geographic, cultural, or economic factors t