Unit 4 Flashcards
State
A geographic area with a permanent population, defined borders, and a sovereign government, recognized by other states
Sovereignty
A state’s authority to govern its own affairs, including domestic and international
Nation-state
A sovereign state with a relatively homogenous population that has a shared language, culture, and history (one nation) Japan, Iceland, South Korea Multinational A state that has multiple nations residing within its borders Soviet Union, Russia, Canada.
Nation
A group of people with a shared culture, language, history, homeland, and self-determination
Self-determination
The right or desire for a nation or group of people to govern themselves
What are four things a stateless nation lacks?
1) Control over its political boundaries 2) A sovereign government 3) Control over internal and external affairs 4) Recognition from other states
What is the difference between autonomous and semi-autonomous regions?
Autonomous regions have a high degree of independence from the national government. These regions can govern themselves and have a significant level of freedom and self-governance. Semi-autonomous regions have a moderate degree of self-governance. These regions have some say over their own economic and political systems but the national government can step in when it deems necessary
Explain what type of region Native American Indian reservations are
They are autonomous regions because they are located within the United States of America but have a high degree of autonomy.
Explain the difference between colonialism and imperialism.
Colonialism is the practice of acquiring territoris and settling there to exert political, economic, and social control over the area. Imperialism is the idea of growing a state or empire by exerting force over other nations to gain economic and political power without establishing settlements.
Identify three ways in which colonialism reshaped the world.
1) It spread languages, such as English and Spanish, around the world 2) New ideas and goods/services were traded 3) New agricultural products allowed for population booms 4) Citizens of countries were suppressed and, in some cases, killed or sold into slavery.
Why does Africa have fewer nation-states compared to other parts of the world?
.This is because of colonialism and the Berlin Conference. When European powers created states in Africa, they based the borders on longitude and latitude, not ethnic groups. This made it difficult for homogenous nation-states to form.
Describe why European powers created political boundaries in Africa that did not reflect the local populations.
Boundaries were set up to facilitate the extraction of resources from Africa. The goal was to create boundaries that were convenient for European powers and allowed those powers to get more raw resources
Identify three problems the Berlin Conference created for African states.
1) Political boundaries did not align with cultural groups 2) Infrastructure was set up to extract resources, not operate a successful state 3) There was increased conflict within states between different cultural groups
How did European powers exert power over countries in Asia?
European powers divided countries into spheres of influence, which split the area between the different European powers.
Define decolonization
A process by which a colony becomes independent of the colonizing country
Explain the concept of territoriality. How people use space to communicate ownership of territory that connects to their culture, economic system, or political interests.
Territoriality is often expressed through non-verbal communication, such as by controlling boundaries, building border walls, establishing boundaries, or controlling activities in a region
Describe the concept of neocolonialism.
The use of political, cultural, or economic power to influence or control other countries. (Does not involve direct military rule or control)
What does devolution mean?
Power is transferred from a national government to regional governments (i.e., power is broken up and distributed between lower organizations)
Explain why multinational corporations and more economically advanced states would practice neocolonialism.
Multinational corporations often seek to exploit low-cost labor markets in economically developing regions, which helps reduce the cost of production. Countries use neocolonialism to promote their national interests on the global stage, often resulting in the country gaining more power and influence
How has China been using neocolonialism in Africa?
China has been spending large amounts of money on African infrastructure projects. The goals are 1) to use their economic and political power to influence African countries to side with them politically and 2) to use their cheap labor to make cheap products for their country. China is indirectly influencing Africa without directly ruling it.
Define “shatterbelt.”
An area where countries or people are subjected to political, cultural, and economic pressure from external powers that are in conflict with each other
Identify three problems that a country in a shatterbelt region may experience.
1) Political and economic influence from outside countries 2) May get pulled into a war that does not concern them 3) Could see fighting within their country 4) Citizens have to live in uncertainty as they do not know what will happen with the larger conflict 5) States will see lower economic growth and possibly less autonomy
What is a demilitarized zone?
An area between two states that cannot be occupied or used for military purposes
Explain why countries around the world pay special attention to choke points.
If these points were ever closed or transportation/travel was ever hindered, the world economy would be significantly affected.Choke points are geographic areas that have to be passed to reach a certain destination. Countries that control a choke point gain political and economic power over countries that do not own the choke point but wish to travel through it
Identify three choke points.
1) Panama Canal 2) Suez Canal 3) Strait of Hormuz 4) Strait of Malacca
Defining
A boundary is agreed upon, fixed, and set
Delimiting
The process of drawing a boundary on a map and physically marking it
Demarcating
The process of marking a boundary (e.g., with a border wall or sign)
What is a geometric boundary?
A boundary that follows the lines of latitude and longitude
What is an example of a geometric boundary?
The border between the United States and Canada
- Describe antecedent boundaries.
These are boundaries that existed before human settlement and the creation of the cultural landscape
- Identify an example of an antecedent boundary.
The boundary between Chile and Argentina, which is formed by a mountain range
- What is a relic boundary?
Provide an example. A boundary that is no longer active but still impacts the cultural landscape (e.g., the Berlin Wall)
- Describe a superimposed boundary and provide an example of one.
A boundary that was created by a foreign state or group. Many African states consist of superimposed boundaries, since they were created by European
powers
- Explain the difference between subsequent boundaries and consequent boundaries.
A subsequent boundary develops along with the development of the cultural landscape. A consequent boundary is a type of subsequent boundary established to settle conflict between opposing cultural, ethnic, or political groups
- Provide an example of a subsequent and consequent boundary.
1) Subsequent = majority of European countries 2) Boundary between India and Pakistan
- Explain the difference between international boundaries and internal boundaries.
International boundaries separate one sovereign state from another. Internal boundaries separate different regions within a single state
- What is a definitional boundary dispute?
A boundary dispute over the interpretation of the original documents that defined the boundary
- Explain what a locational boundary dispute is. Include an example.
A boundary dispute over the location of the boundary and ownership of the land. For example, due to the Mississippi River shifting, there is a dispute between the states of Louisiana and Mississippi over the boundary
- Describe an example of an operational boundary dispute.
The line of control between India and Pakistan. India wants to close the boundary due to terrorism concerns. Pakistan wants to leave the boundary open to allow people to migrate in and out of Kashmir
- What is an operational boundary dispute?
A dispute over how to manage the boundary and handle different issues/situations that occur on the boundary
- Briefly describe the goal of UNCLOS.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea occurred in 1985 with the goal of helping countries better understand how to deal with boundaries in the sea
- What is an allocational boundary dispute?
A dispute over the use of what is on or in the boundary (e.g., natural resources)
Baseline
This is the shoreline States have sovereignty over their internal and external affairs
Territorial Zone
12 nautical miles from baseline States can set laws regulating passage of ships from other countries
Contiguous Zone
24 nautical miles States may enforce laws concerning pollution, taxation, customs, and immigration
Exclusive Economic Zone
200 nautical miles States have the sole right to all natural resources (eg. oil, natural gas, or fish)
International Waters
N/A No state has control
How has the Law of the Sea helped resolve disputes over boundary disputes in the sea?
It sets out clear rules to help statos better understand their rights off of their countries’ shoreline
- Briefly describe the conflict in the South China Sea.
More than seven countries have a claim to part of this sea. However, China disagrees and has asserted it has a historical claim to the sea.
- Explain why redistricting occurs after a census has been conducted.
Populations change over time as people are born, die, and migrate. These changes mean that districts must be periodically redrawn to more accurately reflect the population of an area
Identify four examples of internal boundaries.
1) Congressional district 2) County boundaries 3) City boundaries 4) School districts 5) Voting districts
- What is a voting district?
A geographic area organized for the purpose of administering elections (such as election districts, precincts, or wards)
- What is gerrymandering?
The process of redistricting a voting district to favor one political party over another
- Identify three ways in which gerrymandering impacts political elections in the United States
1) Representatives do not reflect the beliefs of the people 2) Decreases the competition in political races 3) Weakens the democratic process 4) Creates safe districts
Cracking
The process of spreading like-minded voters out across multiple districts
Packing
The process of stacking like-minded voters into just a few districts to reduce the impact of their vote in other districts
Unitary Federal Power is located in the central or national government.
Little to no power is given to regional and local governments 1) Create a strong sense of nationalism 2) Can quickly create new laws
Negatives 1) Can be inefficient 2) Has a greater chance of experiencing devolution
Examples China, France, or nation-states
Power is shared between the central or national government and regional governments.
Decisions are made at both the local and national levels
1) Can quickly respond to local issues 2) Can represent local communities and minority groups more effectively.
1) Cannot react quickly to local issues 2) May not represent all communities
The United States, Australia, or multinational states
- What is devolution?
The transfer of power from a national government to regional governments (power is broken up and distributed among lower organizations)
- Identify six factors that could cause devolution.
1) Physical geography of a state 2) Divisions between different cultural groups 3) Political instability 4) Economic and social divisions 5) Governments abusing their power 6) Irredentism
- Explain how the physical geography of a state could cause devolution.
States that are geographically large or fragmented by mountains, rivers, or oceans may see cultures become isolated. This could cause different cultures to form, resulting in devolutionary pressures on the state as local cultures seek more autonomy and control over political policies for their people
- What is ethnic separatism?
When a person or group starts to identify more as their own ethnic group than as a citizen of the state
- Explain how the physical geography and cultural factors of the Basque people have impacted Spain.
The Basques are isolated from the rest of Spain by mountains. The Basque people have their own language and cultural identity that is unique to them. Over the years, they have continued to seek more autonomy from Spain, putting devolutionary pressures on the state
- Explain what has been happening in Catalonia and how it has impacted Spain.
Catalonia is an autonomous region in Spain populated by the Catalan people. Over the years, the Catalans have sought independence from Spain, as they see themselves as culturally distinct from the rest of the country. This has resulted in devolutionary pressures on the Spanish government
- Explain the current situation with the Kurdish people.
The Kurdish nation has its own language, culture, and history of self-determination. However, they do not have their own state. The Kurds have a historical claim to the nation-state of Kurdistan, but today, they reside within the borders of various other countries in the Middle East
- What is a stateless nation?
A nation that has a history of self-determination but does not have a recognized state
- List three examples of stateless nations.
1) The Basques 2) The Catalans 3) The Kurds
- Explain what has been happening in Nigeria that connects to devolution.
Nigeria has experienced ethnic and religious conflict between different cultural groups. Tensions with the government have increased due to the unequal distribution of resources throughout the state, leading to devolutionary pressures on the state of Nigeria
- Explain how devolutionary pressures are being put on Belgium.
Belgium is split between two linguistic groups: the Flemish community, known as Flanders, and the French-speaking community, known as Wallonia. This has led to an identity clash, with both sides seeking more control over their part of the state
- Describe how terrorism and political instability could cause devolution.
When citizens feel unsafe, they are more likely to demand government intervention and may desire greater control over their own protection
- Explain how economic and social inequality could cause devolution.
When citizens feel like there are not enough job opportunities or they see large inequalities, they are more likely to demand change. These demands can take the form of public protests, changes in political leaders, or requests for more control over regional governments
- What is ethnic cleansing?
When a government, organization, or group of people attack an ethnic group in a state with the goal of pushing the group of people out of the state. (Often carried out by mass incarceration or by killing members of the ethnic group)
- Explain the current conflict occurring in Myanmar.
The government has been accused of ethnic cleansing of the minority Rohingya people. The Rohingya have been denied rights and citizenship. The situation escalated in 2017 when the government started a brutal campaign against the Rohingya, burning settlements and killing people, forcing many to flee the country
- What is irredentism?
A movement by a nation to unite other parts of its nation that are located in another sate
- Provide an example of irredentism. Explain your answer.
The war between Russia and Ukraine. Russias president, Vladimir Putin, has stated that he views the war not as a conflict between two nations, but as Russia seeking to unify the Russian people under one state
- What does it mean if a state disintegrates?
The state broke up into small parts. It ceases to exist in its current form and new states are created
- What are two examples of a state disintegrating?
1) Sudan (into Sudan and South Sudan) 2) Soviet Union (into 15 different states)
- Identify four different ways in which social media and the internet can negatively impact a state’s sovereignty.
1) Can lead to devolution as information is more easily shared 2) Can cause a state to disintegrate 3) Access to more information reduces a states control over citizens
- Explain how the internet challenged the sovereignty of countries during the Arab Spring.
People used Facebook and Twitter to share information on government corruption and abuse. The internet provided people with information on life in other countries and how the government was abusing its power. This sparked the start of revolutions as people demanded change
- What does democratization mean?
A process through which a political regime becomes more democratic
- Explain how globalization has negatively impacted states sovereignty.
Countries that participate in the global market must consider global factors when determining their policies. Today, countries often depend on trade with other countries and must be careful when making decisions that may disrupt trade or hurt a political alliance. This could result in countries losing some control over their policies since they now must consider the wants and needs of other countries
- What is a supranational organization?
An alliance consisting of multiple countries, traditionally three or mort that work together to achieve common goals or address specific issues/challenges that impact the states
United Nations
A global government that seeks to maintain peace and stability around the world
African Union
An organization of 55 different African states that seek to promote stability across Africa and eradicate all forms of colonialism in Africa
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Created to counter the diffusion of communism and the Soviet Union. Today, it exists as a political and military alliance that seeks to provide security to its members
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
An organization that strives to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development between member states
Arctic Council
The leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous peoples, and other Arctic inhabitants
- Describe how supranational organizations may challenge a state’s sovereignty.
Member countries must agree to abide by the rules and regulations set by the organization, which may result in countries surrendering some of their autonomy and sovereignty
European Union
A political and economic organization that helps all of its member countries compete with countries around the world.
- Why would a state join a supranational organization?
They believe it will benefit them in the long run by increasing their economic and political power
- What is the difference between centrifugal forces and centripetal forces?
Centrifugal forces are factors that divide people, a state, or a group. Centripetal forces are forces that unite people, a state, or a group
- Identify different political, economic, cultural, and geographic factors that can lead to centripetal forces and centrifugal forces.
Centripetal :
Political State has a unified government, political system that allows citizens to participate in society, or strong sense of patriotism
Economic State has a growing GDP, low unemployment, a sense of mobility in the economic system, equal distribution of resources, and opportunities for all
Cultural State has a homogenous society, one national identity, a sense of patriotism, or has multiple ethnic groups that retain their identity but do not wish to separate from the state
Geographic Compact state that has citizens living in a geographically close area, preventing groups from becoming isolated for long periods
Centrifugal :
State has corruption in the government, prevents citizens from speaking their mind, oppresses the rights of citizens, or has rampant discrimination against certain citizens
State has high inflation, lacks economic opportunities for citizens, has high unemployment, and lacks economic growth
State has ethnic conflicts between citizens, has discrimination against different minority groups, or lacks political, social, or economic opportunities for certain groups
Fragmented states that have isolated groups or states with physical features that divide different groups of people in society.
- How can centripetal forces and centrifugal forces apply at the state/regional scale and country/national scale?
Regionally, people are bound over local rivalries, cultural traditions unique to the area, and sports. People become divided over local politics or major changes in the cultural landscape. Nationally, people are held together with a sense of nationality, identity, and pride in the country. They are pulled apart due to cultural differences or debates over how the country should be run.
- What is a failed state?
A state that no longer has a functioning government. (The government cannot carry out its basic duties and loses authority over the land)
- What is an ethnic nationalist movement?
When a cultural group wants to separate or wants the right to self-determination based on a specific ethnicity or nationality.
- How can an ethnic nationalist movement be a centrifugal force and a centripetal force?
Provide examples. If the ethnic nationalist movement is around a cultural group that wants independence from the rest of the state, it will act as a centrifugal force (e.g., Catalonia and Spain). If an ethnic nationalist movement is around the main nation of the state, it can act as a centripetal force (e.g. nation-states like Japan)
