Key Concepts in Political Geography: States, Boundaries, and International Organizations

nation

A group of people with a shared cultural identity. Example: Kurds.

nation-state

A state whose borders closely match a single nation. Example: Japan.

stateless nation

A cultural group without its own state. Example: Palestinians.

multinational state

A state with two or more nations. Example: United Kingdom.

multi-state nation

A nation spread across multiple states. Example: Koreans in North and South Korea.

autonomous region

Area with high self-government. Example: Hong Kong.

semiautonomous region

Area with some limited self-government. Example: Native American reservations.

sovereignty

A state's power to govern itself. Example: France making its own laws.

self-determination

The right of a nation to govern itself. Example: Scottish independence movement.

devolution

Power shifting from central to regional governments. Example: Catalonia in Spain.

colonialism

When a country settles and controls foreign territory. Example: Britain in India.

imperialism

Indirect political/economic control over a territory. Example: U.S. influence in the Philippines.

neocolonialism

Indirect control of developing countries through economic pressure. Example: China in Africa.

shatterbelt

Region caught between powerful external conflicts. Example: Eastern Europe during the Cold War.

choke point

Narrow, strategic waterway vital to trade. Example: Strait of Hormuz.

territoriality

Connection of people to land and desire to control it. Example: China in the South China Sea.

relic boundary

Old boundary that still affects the landscape. Example: Berlin Wall.

superimposed boundary

Boundary drawn by outside powers ignoring cultural patterns. Example: Colonial borders in Africa.

subsequent boundary

Boundary formed after settlement reflecting cultural landscape. Example: Ireland-Northern Ireland.

antecedent boundary

Boundary drawn before population settled. Example: U.S.-Canada 49th parallel.

geometric boundary

Boundary defined by straight lines or arcs. Example: U.S.-Canada 49th parallel.

consequent boundary

Boundary drawn to accommodate cultural differences. Example: India-Pakistan (religion).

demilitarized zone

Buffer area where military forces are not allowed. Example: Korean DMZ.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS)

International rules defining maritime boundaries, including 200-mile EEZs.

redistricting

Redrawing political district lines based on population. Example: U.S. Census redistricting.

gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage. Example: North Carolina packed districts.

unitary state

Central government holds most power. Example: France.

federal state

Power shared between national and regional governments. Example: United States.

supranationalism

States cooperating for mutual benefit. Example: European Union.

United Nations (UN)

Global organization promoting peace and cooperation. Example: UN peacekeeping.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance with collective defense. Example: Attack on one = attack on all.

European Union (EU)

Political and economic union of European states. Example: EU single market.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Organization promoting cooperation in Southeast Asia. Example: ASEAN trade agreements.

Arctic Council

Organization focused on Arctic environmental cooperation. Example: Joint climate research.

African Union (AU)

Organization promoting unity and development in Africa. Example: AU peacekeeping.

centrifugal force

Forces that divide a state. Example: Ethnic conflict in Nigeria.

centripetal force

Forces that unify a state. Example: Shared national holidays.

failed state

State unable to carry out basic government functions. Example: Somalia.

ethnonationalism

National identity based on shared ethnicity. Example: Serbian nationalism in the Balkans.