Political Geography and Governance (Set 3 11-15)

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to political geography, governance, and agricultural practices.

Semi-Autonomous Nation

An area given some independence, with its own government.

Sovereignty

The right of a government to control and defend its territory, and control what goes on within its borders.

Self-Determination

The right of all people to choose their own political status.

Colonialism

The practice of claiming and dominating overseas territories.

Imperialism

The push to create an empire by exercising force or influence to control other nations or peoples.

Independence Movement

Political push by an ethnic or national group seeking sovereignty and the right to govern itself.

Devolution

The process where central power within a state is broken up and distributed to regional governments.

Neocolonialism

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

Choke Point

A narrow, strategic passageway to another place through which it is difficult to pass.

Territoriality

An attempt by an individual or group to influence or control people by asserting control over a geographic area.

Relic Boundary

Former boundaries that no longer have a function.

Subsequent Boundary

Boundaries drawn in areas settled by people where cultural landscapes already exist.

Antecedent Boundary

Boundaries that precede the development of the cultural landscape.

Geometric Boundary

A straight line or arc drawn by people that does not follow a physical feature.

Consequent Boundary

A boundary that takes into account already-existing cultural or physical landscapes.

Demarcated Boundaries

Boundaries identified by physical objects.

Demilitarized Zone

A buffer area between two rival states where military activities are prohibited.

Berlin Conference

A meeting that paved the way for the colonization of Africa by European superpowers.

Land Boundary

A legally defined line separating two states over land.

Maritime Boundary

A legally defined line in the ocean that separates two states.

Exclusive Economic Zone

An area where coastal states can explore and enforce laws up to 24 nautical miles from the coast.

Voting Districts

Defined areas created by the government to help organize elections.

Redistricting

The redrawing of district boundaries to ensure equal population sizes.

Gerrymandering

The drawing of political districts to increase or protect the power of the party in power.

Unitary State

A state where most or all governing power is held by the national government.

Federal State

A unification of separate political entities into a system that allows some degree of sovereignty.

Ethnic Separatism

The advocacy of full political separation from a larger group along cultural lines.

Ethnic Cleansing

A policy aimed at removing a group of people from a territory through violent means.

Terrorism

Organized violence aimed at governments or civilians to instill fear for political goals.

Irredentism

A movement to unite people divided by a national boundary based on shared characteristics.

Supranationalism

The formation of an organization by multiple countries for mutual benefit.

Centrifugal Forces

Factors that divide citizens and can lead to internal conflict.

Centripetal Force

Factors that unite a country's population.

Ethnonationalism

Support for the political interests of a particular ethnic group.

Cultural Cohesion

A sense of unity or shared identity that develops in a society with common cultural traits.

Mediterranean Climate

A warm, dry-summer climate that supports high-value crops like olives and grapes.

Intensive Agriculture

Farming that uses large amounts of inputs to maximize yields.

Market Gardening

Commercial farming of high-value, perishable fruits and vegetables for local markets.

Mixed Crop/Livestock System

A system where crops are grown to feed livestock, which in turn produces manure for the crops.

Extensive Agriculture

Agriculture that uses fewer inputs compared to intensive methods.

Shifting Cultivation

A method where farmers clear land to grow crops, then move to a new plot when soil fertility declines.

Failed State

A government that has lost the ability to provide basic services and maintain order.