Review of Major Concepts in AP Human Geography

State vs. Nation

• State: geographic area with permanent population, defined borders, sovereign government, and recognized by other states

  • Sovereign government has control over domestic and international affairs

• Nation: group of people with shared culture, history, homeland, and desire to govern themselves

  • Self-determination crucial for a nation's identity

• Difference: State refers to government and land, while nation refers to people with shared culture and history

Political Entities

• Nation-State: self-governing state with uniform population sharing language, culture, and history

• Multinational State: multiple nations within borders, each with distinct identities

  • Dominant cultural group controls political, economic, and social system

• Multi-State Nation: nation existing across multiple states

  • Examples: Kurds, Basques

• Stateless Nation: nation with history of self-determination but no recognized state

• Autonomous Region: region with independence from state, own government and self-rule

  • Example: Native American reservations

• Semi-Autonomous Region: region controlled by another state with moderate self-governance

  • Example: Hong Kong under China's authority

Colonialism and Imperialism

• Colonialism: acquiring territories to exert control

• Imperialism: growing state or empire by force without settlements

• Effects: Diffusion of religions, languages, cultures; imposition of colonizer's culture

• Political Boundaries: Established by colonial powers, often disregarding local cultures

• Decolonization: Colonies gaining independence post-World War II

• Devolution: Transfer of political power from central to regional government

• Examples: Creation of Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in the UK

Impact of Historical Events

• Colonialism and Imperialism: Contributed to political boundaries, conflicts, and dependencies

• Decolonization: Colonies breaking away from colonial rulers

• Devolution: Transfer of power to regional governments, creating new political boundaries

In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between states and nations, various political entities, and the impacts of historical events like colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and devolution are crucial for mastering the concepts in AP Human Geography.

Political Power and Territoriality

Territoriality

• Definition: Establishing and defending a specific geographic area.

• Expressions: Non-verbal communication, control of boundaries, military interventions, promotion of political or economic systems, regulation of activities.

• Neocolonialism: Indirect use of power to influence or control another country.

  • Examples: Exploitation of weaker countries for resources and wealth.

  • China's Influence in Africa: Using neocolonial tactics to assert dominance through infrastructure investments and loans.

Shatter Belt Regions

• Definition: Areas subject to external political, cultural, and economic pressures.

• Examples: Eastern Europe during the Cold War, Korean Peninsula during the Korean War.

Choke Points

• Definition: Geographic areas crucial for reaching a destination.

• Importance: Countries exert influence through military presence, infrastructure investments, and treaties.

• Examples: Panama Canal, Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal.

Political Boundaries

• Types:

  • Geometric Boundary: Follows lines of latitude and longitude.

  • Anachronistic Boundary: Existed before human settlement.

  • Relic Boundary: No longer recognized but impacts the cultural landscape.

  • Superimposed Boundary: Created by external powers without local consideration.

  • Subsequent Boundary: Develops with the cultural landscape.

  • Consequent Boundary: Separates ethnic, religious, or linguistic groups.

• Functions: Impact geographic areas differently based on negotiations, physical features, cultural characteristics, or external impositions.

• Buffer State: Geographic area with no direct state control.

Functions of Boundaries

• International vs. Internal Boundaries:

  • International: Separate sovereign states.

  • Internal: Separate regions within a state.

• Creation: Based on linguistic, religious, or cultural patterns.

• Disputes:

  • Definitional: Interpretation of boundary documents.

  • Locational: Disputes over boundary location.

  • Operational: Disagreements on boundary management.

  • Allocational: Disputes over resource use on the boundary.

Boundaries and Natural Resources

• UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)

  • Conference held in 1982 by the United Nations to address allocational boundary disputes in the sea

  • Resulted in the adoption of the International Law of the Sea in 1983

  • Law of the Sea consists of three parts: Territorial Waters, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

  • States have control over different zones for various purposes like passage regulation, pollution laws, and resource exploration

  • Disputes can be taken to the International Court of Justice

• South China Sea Dispute

  • Seven countries claim parts of the sea, using the law of the sea to justify claims

  • China claims historical rights, ignoring the law of the sea

Internal Boundaries

• Establishment and Types of Internal Boundaries

  • Established by the state's government

  • Examples include congressional districts, county boundaries, city boundaries, school districts, and voting districts

  • Redistricting occurs after population changes, often done by third-party organizations or state legislators

• Gerrymandering

  • Process of redistricting to favor one political party

  • Methods include cracking (spreading like-minded voters) and packing (stacking like-minded voters)

  • Leads to unfair representation and weakens the democratic process

Forms of Governance

• Unitary States

  • Power centralized at the national level

  • Laws and policies created for the entire state

  • May lack efficiency in addressing local needs and issues

• Federal States

  • Power distributed between national and regional governments

  • Allows for quick response to local issues and minority group needs

  • May lead to inefficiencies and devolution

Devolution

• Transfer of Political Power

  • From central government to regional government

  • Factors leading to devolution include physical geography, cultural divisions, political instability, and economic disparities

  • Cultural and ethnic divisions can lead to devolution, ethnic separatism, and pressures for autonomy and independence

Devolutionary Factors

• Catalans, Basques, and Kurds

  • Catalans in Catalonia seek independence from Spain.

  • Kurds have historical claim to Kurdistan but lack their own state.

  • Basques, Catalans, and Kurds are stateless nations with self-determination history.

• Nigeria

  • Ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity leads to conflicts.

  • Unequal resource distribution increases devolutionary pressures.

• Belgium

  • Split into Flemish (Flanders) and French-speaking (Wallonia) communities.

  • Identity clash due to language differences.

• Factors Leading to Devolution

  • Political instability, high crime rates, and terrorism.

  • Economic and social inequalities.

  • Government corruption and abuse.

  • Irredentism seeking to unite parts of a nation in different states.

Challenges to State Sovereignty

• Disintegration of States

  • Sudan and South Sudan split in 2011.

  • Soviet Union disintegrated into 15 states after collapse.

• Technological Advancements

  • Social media and internet influence devolution and state challenges.

  • Access to information reduces autocratic control.

  • Internet played a role in Arab Spring revolutions.

• Globalization

  • Countries influenced by global market dependencies.

  • Political decisions impacted by reliance on global resources.

• Supranational Organizations

  • Political, economic, and environmental organizations impact sovereignty.

  • Countries surrender autonomy for benefits in economic and political power.

  • Examples include the United Nations, European Union, and Arctic Council.

Conclusion

• Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

  • Concepts related to devolution and state sovereignty.

  • Explored in Unit 4, building on concepts from Unit 3.

Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces in States

• Centrifugal Forces

  • Forces that divide people, a state, or a group

  • Examples:

    • Uneven economic and social development leading to deprivation in certain regions

    • Cultural differences like language barriers and conflicting religious beliefs

    • Negative stereotypes, discrimination, and political corruption

  • Result: Can lead to a state becoming a failed state

• Failed State

  • Definition: State no longer has a functioning government

  • Cause: Citizens no longer view the government as legitimate

• Ethnic Nationalist Movement

  • Definition: Cultural group seeking separation or control based on ethnicity

  • Example: Catalonians wanting their own state

  • Note: Ethnic nationalism can also act as a centripetal force

• Centripetal Forces

  • Forces that unite people, a state, or a group

  • Characteristics of states with strong centripetal forces:

    • Strong sense of patriotism

    • Variety of economic and social opportunities

    • Lack of corruption and discrimination

    • Shared history, language, and religion

    • Strong national government

Conclusion and Study Tips

• Study Tips

  • Check answers to your study

  • Take the Unit 4 practice quiz

  • Utilize exclusive resources and videos for better understanding

• Closing Remarks

  • Aim for an A