Political Geography and Related Concepts

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions from the lecture on political geography, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

Political Geography

The study of the spatial distribution and relationships of political processes and power.

Political Map

A map showing political boundaries such as countries, states, and cities.

State or Country

An organized political unit with a defined territory and population.

Independent State

A state that governs itself without outside control.

Sovereign State

A state with full control over its internal and external affairs.

Nation

A group of people with shared culture, history, and identity.

Nation-State

A state whose population largely shares a common culture and identity.

Nation-State Ideal

The idea that political boundaries should match cultural boundaries.

Nationalism

Strong identification with and loyalty to a nation.

Stateless Nation

A cultural group without its own sovereign state.

Multinational State

A state containing multiple ethnic or cultural nations.

Multistate Nation

A nation spread across more than one state.

Autonomous Region

An area with self-governing powers within a state.

Semiautonomous Region

A region with limited self-rule.

Self-Determination

The right of people to choose their political status.

Core Areas

The central region where a state originates.

Devolution

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

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism based on shared ethnicity.

Neocolonialism

Economic or political influence over former colonies.

Peripheral States

Less developed states with limited global influence.

Core States

Wealthy, industrialized states with strong global influence.

Shatterbelt

A politically unstable region caught between powerful states.

Choke Point

A narrow passage critical to transportation or trade.

Strait

A narrow waterway connecting two larger bodies of water.

Boundary

A line separating political units.

Median Line Principle

Dividing water boundaries equally between states.

Borderland

An area where borders are unclear or culturally blended.

Frontier

A zone of weak or undefined boundary.

Enclave

A territory completely surrounded by another state.

Exclave

A portion of a state separated from the main territory.

Delimited

Boundary drawn on a map.

Demarcated

Boundary marked physically on the ground.

Relic Boundary

A former boundary no longer in use.

Superimposed Boundary

A boundary imposed by external forces.

Subsequent Boundary

A boundary created after settlement.

Antecedent Boundary

A boundary created before settlement.

Geometric Boundary

A boundary based on straight lines or coordinates.

Consequent Boundary

A boundary drawn to separate cultural groups.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

A buffer area without military forces.

Buffer State

A small state between larger rival states.

Satellite State

A politically or economically dependent state.

UNCLOS

International law governing use of the seas.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Area where a state controls marine resources.

Arctic Circle

Latitude marking Arctic region.

Electoral Geography

Study of spatial aspects of voting.

Voting District

A defined area for elections.

Electoral College

System used to elect the U.S. president.

Reapportionment

Redistributing seats based on population.

Redistricting

Redrawing electoral boundaries.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries for advantage.

Packing

Concentrating voters into one district.

Cracking

Splitting voters across districts.

Subnational Units

Smaller political divisions within a state.

Unitary State

Power centralized in national government.

Federal State

Power shared between national and regional governments.

Irredentism

Movement to reclaim lost territory.

Terrorism

Use of violence to achieve political goals.

International Terrorism

Terrorism involving multiple countries.

Domestic Terrorism

Terrorism within one country.

State Terrorism

Violence used by governments.

Subnational Terrorism

Terrorism by groups within a state.

Democratization

Transition to democratic governance.

Supranationalism

Authority beyond individual states.

Supranational Organization

An organization above state level.

United Nations (UN)

Global organization for cooperation.

European Union (EU)

Economic and political union in Europe.

African Union (AU)

Organization promoting African unity.

Arctic Council

Intergovernmental forum for Arctic issues.

Regional Trading Bloc

Group of states trading freely.

Economies of Scale

Cost advantages from large-scale production.

NAFTA

Trade agreement between U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

ASEAN

Southeast Asian political and economic organization.

NATO

Military alliance for collective defense.

Failed State

State unable to govern effectively.

Uneven Development

Unequal economic development.

Allegiance

Loyalty to a state or group.

Equitable Infrastructure

Fair distribution of infrastructure.

Cultural Cohesion

Shared cultural unity.

Iconography

Symbols representing beliefs or identity.