APHG Vocabulary Unit 4 Political Patterns and Processes
APHG Vocabulary Unit 4 Political Patterns and Processes
Vocabulary Column Structure
This section introduces a structured column system for organizing vocabulary.
Utilize glossary resources located in Google Classroom for definitions.
Leverage concept journal notes as well as textbooks like AMSCO for additional information.
4.1 Introduction to Political Geography
State
Formal Definition: A politically organized territory with a permanent population, sovereign government, and recognized boundaries.
In Your Own Words: A territory governed by an organized government that has control over its people.
Example/Drawing: Countries like France, Brazil.
Nation
Formal Definition: A group of people who share a common culture, history, language, or ethnic origin.
In Your Own Words: People bound together by common cultural traits and traditions.
Example/Drawing: The Kurds, who are spread across several countries but share cultural traits.
Nation-State
Formal Definition: A state whose boundaries coincide with a particular nation; both political and cultural unit.
In Your Own Words: A country primarily populated by one nationality.
Example/Drawing: Japan, where the majority of the population is ethnically Japanese.
Stateless Nation
Formal Definition: A nation that does not possess its own state and is not the majority population in any nation.
In Your Own Words: A group of people with a shared identity but lacking a sovereign territory.
Example/Drawing: The Palestinians.
Multinational State
Formal Definition: A state that contains two or more nations or nationalities within its borders.
In Your Own Words: A country with multiple distinct cultural groups.
Example/Drawing: Canada, which includes English, French, and Indigenous peoples.
Multi State Nation
Formal Definition: A nation that stretches across borders and states.
In Your Own Words: A cultural group that exists in various countries.
Example/Drawing: The Kurdish people in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran.
Autonomous Region
Formal Definition: A subdivision of a country that has a degree of autonomy, or self-governance, from the central authority.
In Your Own Words: A part of a country that can govern itself to some extent.
Example/Drawing: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
Semi-Autonomous Region
Formal Definition: A region with partial autonomy but still under the control of a central authority.
In Your Own Words: A region that has some self-governing powers, but not full independence.
Example/Drawing: The Native American reservations in the United States.
4.2 Political Processes
Sovereignty
Formal Definition: The authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference.
In Your Own Words: A state's power to make its own decisions.
Example/Drawing: Effects of Brexit on UK sovereignty.
Self-Determination
Formal Definition: The right of people to determine their own political status and to pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.
In Your Own Words: The ability of a nation to choose its government.
Example/Drawing: The Declaration of Independence in the American context.
Colonialism
Formal Definition: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country and exploiting it economically.
In Your Own Words: Control by one country over another for resources and trade.
Example/Drawing: European powers colonizing Africa in the 19th century.
Imperialism
Formal Definition: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
In Your Own Words: Dominating other nations through strategic control.
Example/Drawing: British Empire's expansion in India.
Independence Movement
Formal Definition: A social and political movement in which a group of people seeks independence from collective control.
In Your Own Words: Efforts by a region or group to gain self-governance.
Example/Drawing: India's struggle for independence from British rule.
Devolution
Formal Definition: The transfer of powers from a central government to subnational (regional or local) authorities.
In Your Own Words: Giving local governments more power.
Example/Drawing: Scotland's parliament existing within the UK.
4.3 Political Power and Territoriality
Neocolonialism
Formal Definition: The use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies.
In Your Own Words: Modern-day domination of less developed countries by more powerful nations through indirect means.
Example/Drawing: Economic influence of multinational corporations in Africa.
Shatterbelt
Formal Definition: A region that is politically fragmented and often contested.
In Your Own Words: An area of ongoing conflict and division.
Example/Drawing: The Balkans as a historical example.
Choke Point
Formal Definition: A geographical feature that is important for control over movement and can be easily blocked.
In Your Own Words: A narrow passage that can be restricted for strategic purposes.
Example/Drawing: The Strait of Hormuz for oil transport.
Territoriality
Formal Definition: The connection of people, their culture, and their economic systems to the land.
In Your Own Words: How people interact with and claim areas of land.
Example/Drawing: Animal behavior in marking their territory (ablum of territory).
4.4 Defining Political Boundaries
Relic Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary that no longer functions but is still recognized as a significant marker.
In Your Own Words: An old boundary that no longer serves its original purpose but still exists in social memory.
Example/Drawing: The Berlin Wall's historical impact on East and West Germany.
Superimposed Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary that has been imposed on the cultural landscape without regard to prior existing patterns.
In Your Own Words: A boundary drawn across ethnic or cultural lines.
Example/Drawing: Boundaries created in Africa during colonial times, disregarding tribal territories.
Subsequent Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary that is established after the settlement of an area and considers the cultural landscape.
In Your Own Words: A boundary drawn when the people and culture have already been established.
Example/Drawing: The United States-Canada line that respects existing populations' settlement patterns.
Antecedent Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary that existed before the cultural landscape emerged.
In Your Own Words: A boundary that was established before people populated the area.
Example/Drawing: The original U.S.-Canada boundary established by treaty, before significant settlement.
Geometric Boundary
Formal Definition: A straight line boundary defined by latitude and longitude.
In Your Own Words: A boundary that is based entirely on geometric measurements.
Example/Drawing: The boundary between the U.S. and Canada along certain parallels.
Consequent Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary that takes into account the existing cultural or ethnic divisions.
In Your Own Words: A boundary created to accommodate political or social divisions present among people.
Example/Drawing: The boundary between India and Pakistan recognizing religious divisions.
4.5 The Function of Political Boundaries
Defined Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary defined by legal documents or treaties.
In Your Own Words: A boundary agreed upon in an official capacity.
Example/Drawing: Borders established in international law.
Delimited Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary that has been drawn on a map.
In Your Own Words: The representation of boundaries on maps for understanding.
Example/Drawing: Political maps indicating the borders between states.
Demarcated Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary that is physically marked in the landscape.
In Your Own Words: The physical signs of a boundary on the ground.
Example/Drawing: Fences or walls along border areas.
Demilitarized Zone
Formal Definition: An area in which military forces are prohibited or restricted.
In Your Own Words: A buffer zone where military presence is not allowed.
Example/Drawing: The Korean Demilitarized Zone.
Berlin Conference
Formal Definition: A meeting held in 1884-1885 to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa.
In Your Own Words: The conference where European powers divided Africa among themselves without African input.
Example/Drawing: The arbitrary borders drawn during the conference.
Land Boundary
Formal Definition: The physical boundary that separates land areas.
In Your Own Words: Boundaries that exist on land between countries.
Example/Drawing: The borders between states in the United States.
Maritime Boundary
Formal Definition: A boundary that defines a relationship between marine areas.
In Your Own Words: The division line in oceans or seas between different countries' waters.
Example/Drawing: Coastal lines determining countries' fishing rights.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Formal Definition: An international agreement that defines the rights and responsibilities of nations regarding the use of the world’s oceans.
In Your Own Words: A treaty regulating international maritime law.
Example/Drawing: Guidelines on territorial sea and maritime rights.
International Waters
Formal Definition: Areas of the sea not under the jurisdiction of any country.
In Your Own Words: Oceans that are free for navigation and do not belong to any nation.
Example/Drawing: The high seas beyond national boundaries.
Territorial Sea
Formal Definition: The area of the sea measured from a baseline (usually the low-water line) to a limit set by law, where a state has sovereignty.
In Your Own Words: Waters that fall under a nation's jurisdiction where it can enforce laws and regulations.
Example/Drawing: The 12 nautical miles from a country's coast controlling fishing rights.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Formal Definition: A sea zone prescribed by UNCLOS in which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind.
In Your Own Words: The area where a state can control the exploration and exploitation of resources.
Example/Drawing: The 200 nautical mile zone from a coast designated for exclusive fishing rights.
4.6 Internal Boundaries
Voting District
Formal Definition: A region from which members of a legislative body are elected.
In Your Own Words: A specified area where voters choose their representatives.
Example/Drawing: Congressional districts in the U.S.
Redistricting
Formal Definition: The process of drawing new electoral district boundaries.
In Your Own Words: Changing district lines to reflect changes in population.
Example/Drawing: Occurs every ten years in the U.S. after census data is released.
Gerrymandering
Formal Definition: The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.
In Your Own Words: Redrawing districts to benefit a specific political party.
Example/Drawing: Districts drawn in irregular shapes to consolidate votes for a party.
4.7 Forms of Governance
Unitary State
Formal Definition: A state governed as a single entity; central government holds primary authority.
In Your Own Words: The central government holds the majority of power.
Example/Drawing: France, where most political power resides with the national government.
Federal State
Formal Definition: A state with a distribution of power between a central government and various regional governments.
In Your Own Words: Power is shared between the national and local levels of government.
Example/Drawing: The United States, where both federal and state governments have authority.
4.8 Defining Devolutionary Factors
Ethnic Separatism
Formal Definition: The advocacy for the separation of a particular ethnic group from a larger voting population.
In Your Own Words: When a minority ethnic group seeks independence from the majority.
Example/Drawing: Catalonia seeking independence from Spain.
Ethnic Cleansing
Formal Definition: The practice of removing or eliminating an ethnic group from a certain area or country.
In Your Own Words: Forcing a group of people out based on ethnic identity.
Example/Drawing: The genocide in Rwanda against the Tutsi population.
Terrorism
Formal Definition: The use of violence or threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.
In Your Own Words: The act of using violence to instill fear and change policies.
Example/Drawing: September 11 attacks in the U.S.
Irredentism
Formal Definition: A political or popular movement intended to reclaim and reoccupy a lost territory.
In Your Own Words: Attempts to reclaim land that once belonged to a specific ethnic group or nation.
Example/Drawing: Russia's claims over Crimea based on historical ties.
4.9 Challenges to Sovereignty
Supranationalism
Formal Definition: A type of multi-national political union in which negotiated power is delegated to an authority by governments of member states.
In Your Own Words: When multiple countries form an alliance, giving up some degree of sovereignty.
Example/Drawing: The European Union.
Democratization
Formal Definition: The transition to a more democratic political regime, including substantive political changes.
In Your Own Words: Movement from an authoritarian regime to a democracy.
Example/Drawing: The Arab Spring movements.
Economies of Scale
Formal Definition: The cost advantage that arises with increased output of a product.
In Your Own Words: Producing more units reduces costs per unit, impacting global trade and economic management.
Example/Drawing: Large car manufacturers reducing costs through mass production.
Trade Agreements
Formal Definition: Treaties between two or more countries outlining the terms of trade between them.
In Your Own Words: Deals negotiated to facilitate trade between nations.
Example/Drawing: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).
Military Alliances
Formal Definition: Agreements between nations for mutual protection and defense support.
In Your Own Words: Partnerships between countries to support each other in times of conflict.
Example/Drawing: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
Supranational Organizations
Formal Definition: Organizations formed to promote cooperation among nations and to address issues that transcend national borders.
In Your Own Words: Groups that handle global issues such as trade, human rights, etc.
Example/Drawing: The United Nations.
United Nations
Formal Definition: An intergovernmental organization established to promote world peace, security, and cooperation.
In Your Own Words: Global assembly to manage conflicts and humanitarian efforts.
Example/Drawing: The Security Council monitoring international conflicts.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Formal Definition: Military alliance formed for mutual defense against aggression.
In Your Own Words: Organization of countries for collective military action.
Example/Drawing: NATO's role in the Cold War and beyond.
European Union (EU)
Formal Definition: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
In Your Own Words: Unification of European countries to promote trade and political stability.
Example/Drawing: Eurozone countries that use the Euro as currency.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Formal Definition: A regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia.
In Your Own Words: Regional grouping promoting economic, political, security, and cultural cooperation.
Example/Drawing: ASEAN Free Trade Area agreements.
Arctic Council
Formal Definition: An intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation in the Arctic region.
In Your Own Words: Collaboration among nations with interests in the Arctic to address environmental, economic and political issues.
Example/Drawing: Research initiatives on climate change affects in the Arctic.
African Union
Formal Definition: A continental union consisting of 55 African states, aiming to promote unity and cooperation among African countries.
In Your Own Words: Organization focused on addressing issues affecting the African continent.
Example/Drawing: Peacekeeping missions in conflict zones in Africa.
4.10 Consequences of Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces
Centrifugal Force
Formal Definition: Factors that divide or pull people apart within a state.
In Your Own Words: Elements causing fragmentation within a nation or state.
Example/Drawing: Ethnic diversity leading to conflict or division.
Failed State
Formal Definition: A state perceived as having failed at some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government.
In Your Own Words: A country that cannot maintain control or provide basic services to its citizens.
Example/Drawing: Somalia, struggling with governance and civil order.
Ethnic Nationalist Movement
Formal Definition: A social movement aimed at promoting the interests and culture of a specific ethnic group.
In Your Own Words: Movements where people rally for the rights and recognition of their ethnic identity.
Example/Drawing: The Basque movement in Spain.
Centripetal Force
Formal Definition: Factors that unify people within a state and promote national cohesion.
In Your Own Words: Elements that bind citizens together and strengthen a state.
Example/Drawing: National sports events or cultural festivals fostering unity.
Ethnonationalism
Formal Definition: A form of nationalism where the nation is defined in terms of ethnicity.
In Your Own Words: Identifying the nation primarily through ethnic identity.
Example/Drawing: The Hutu and Tutsi identities in Rwanda.
Cultural Cohesion
Formal Definition: The degree to which cultural groups within a state accept and adhere to shared values and norms.
In Your Own Words: The unity brought about by shared cultural practices and beliefs.
Example/Drawing: Festivals and traditions that bring communities together.