Unit 4 APHG

State

A politically organized territory with a permanent population, defined territory, government, and recognized sovereignty

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself and control its territory without external interference

Nation

A group of people with a common cultural heritage, shared beliefs, and a territorial homeland

Nation - State

A state whose territory corresponds to that occupied by a particular ethnicity that has been transformed into a nationality

Territoriality

A country's or community's sense of property and attachment toward its territory

Boundary

An invisible line that marks the extent of a state's territory

Antecedent Boundary

A boundary that existed before the cultural landscape emerged

Subsequent Boundary

A boundary drawn after the development of the cultural landscape

Superimposed Boundary

A boundary imposed by an outside force, often without regard to cultural patterns

Relic Boundary

A boundary that has ceased to function but still holds historical significance

Colonialism

The practice of establishing political control over a territory and exploiting it economically

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force

Balkanization

The fragmentation of a region into smaller, often hostile, units

Irredentism

A policy advocating the restoration to a country of any territory formerly belonging to it

Annexation

The formal act of acquiring territory by conquest or occupation

Devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to subnational levels

Unitary State

A state governed as a single entity where central government holds supreme power

Federal State

A state with a division of power between a central government and subnational entities

Confederation

An organization of sovereign states united for common action

Autonomous Region

An area within a state that has a degree of independence or self-governance

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in a legislative body based on population changes

Redistricting

The process of drawing electoral district boundaries

United Nations (UN)

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries

European Union

A political and economic union of 27 European countries

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military alliance of Western countries established in 1949

World Trade Organization (WTO)

An international organization that regulates trade between nations