Summer AP Human Week 4

State

A politically organized territory with a permanent population, defined borders, and a government.

Nation

A group of people united by a common culture, history, or identity.

Nation-State

A country where most citizens share the same national identity.

Multinational State

A state containing two or more distinct nations.

Stateless Nation

A nation without its own independent state.

Sovereignty

A state's ability to govern itself without outside interference.

Boundary

A line separating one state from another.

Border

The physical area near a political boundary.

Geometric Boundary

A straight-line boundary based on latitude or longitude.

Physical Boundary

A boundary based on natural features such as rivers or mountains.

Relic Boundary

A former boundary that no longer functions but still influences society.

Consequent Boundary

A boundary created to reflect existing cultural differences.

Subsequent Boundary

A boundary established after settlement that divides existing groups.

Superimposed Boundary

A boundary imposed on an area without regard for cultural patterns.

Antecedent Boundary

A boundary established before major human settlement.

Centrifugal Force

A force that divides or weakens a state.

Centripetal Force

A force that unites or strengthens a state.

Devolution

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

Federal State

A country where power is shared between national and regional governments.

Unitary State

A country where most power belongs to the central government.

Gerrymandering

The redrawing of electoral districts to benefit a political group.

Geopolitics

The study of the effects of geography on politics and international relations.

Territoriality

A willingness to defend and control territory.

Exclave

A portion of a state separated from the main territory.

Enclave

A territory completely surrounded by another state.