Unit 4: Politics Flashcards
Political Geography
the study of the ways in which the world is organized as a reflection of power that different groups hold over territory
State
politically organized independent territory with a government, defined borders, and a permanent population-like a country
Sovereignty
the right of a government to control and defend its territory and determine what happens within its borders
Nations
Cultural entities, made up of individuals who have formed a common identity through a shared language, religion, ethnicity, or heritage
Nation-State
People in a territory that see them as a nation is also politically recognized as a state (an ideal, no state is a pure nation state)
Multi State nation
consists of people who share a cultural or ethnic background but live in more than one country
Multinational-state
A country with various ethnicities and cultures living inside borders
Irredentism
attempts to acquire territories in neighboring states inhabited by people of the same nation (Ex: Russian and Ukraine)
Autonomous regions
given some authority to govern their own territories independently form the national government
Stateless Nation
A people united by culture, language, history, and tradition but not possessing a state
Territoriality
- An attempt by an individual/group to affect, influence, or control people, phenomena,, and relationships by delimiting and asserting control
-Expression of a group’s historic and personal links to a place
-The connection of people, their culture, and their economic systems to the land
(Ex: flags, anthems, citizenship requirements)
Colonialism
The practice of claiming and dominating overseas territories
Neocolonialism
The use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies
Chokepoint
a narrow, strategic passageway to another place through which it is difficult to pass. Can be sources of power, influence, and wealth for the countries that control them (Ex: Panama Canal)
-Can play significant role in military
Shatterbelts
areas of lots of violence and conflict because of powerful outside states that form, join, and break up states. Areas of continual violence also
Self-determination
the right of all people to choose their own political status
Imperialism
the push to create an empire by exercising force or influence to control other nations or people
Devolution
When the central power in a state is broken up among regional authorities
Establishing Boundaries
Define: countries explicitly state in legal binding documentation such as a treaty where borders are located, using reference points (natural features, latitude, etc)
Delimit: Drawing boundaries on maps in accordance to legal agreement
Demarcate: Creating physical boundaries such as stones, pillars, walls, or fences
Administer: Manage the way they are maintained and how goods and people cross them
Antecedent Boundary
Established before many people settle into an area (Ex: Boundary between America and Canada) (Mountain)
Consequent Boundary
Take into account differences in a cultural landscape, separating groups with distinct languages, religions, ethnicities, etc
Subsequent Boundary
Drawn in areas that have been settled by people and where cultural landscapes already exist or are in the process of being established
Superimposed
Drawn over existing accepted borders by an outside/conquering force (Berlin conference of Africa)
Geometric
Mathematical and typically follow lines of latitude and longitude, or a straight line between two points, instead of following physical or cultural features
Relics
Former boundaries that once existed but no longer have an official function (Great Wall of China)
Maritime
Sea boundaries that allow countries to access resources out at sea
United Nation COnvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Established the structure of Maritime boundaries
-Country border extends 12 nautical miles
-EEZ extends 200 nautical miles from coast
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Extend 200 nautical miles from its coast
Federal State
-Power is divided between the national government, state, and local government
-Promotes diversity
-Power may be diffused
-State or provincial government have some degree of self-rule and have their own legislatures
-Change can come slowly
-Conflicts between governments occur; abuse of power is prevented
Unitary State
Power is held in one central/national government
-Promotes strong sense of national identity
-Very little power is diffused
-Laws are standardized and implemented across the country
-Change can come quickly
-Less intergovernmental conflict; abuse of power is more likely
Reapportionment
When one state loses people and another gains or a states population doesn’t=;t grow as fast as others, seats in the House of Representatives are reallocated to different states
Electoral College
Set of people (electors) who are chosen to elect the president - 538 total people - 435 House of representatives, 100 senators, and 3 electoral votes for Washington, D.C
Redistricting
When a states internal political boundaries that determine voting districts for House of Representatives and the states legislature are redrawn to accurately reflect the new census data
Gerrymandering
When the majority of seats in the state legislature draws legislative maps with an advantage to their party
-Packing a district is when local population data is used to draw a district that is full of the opposing party’s voters
-Cracking a district is the practice of splitting up the opposition party’s voters across many districts, diluting there electoral strength
Majority-minority districts
Gerrymandered districts where minorities are e the majority of voters, ensuring them to elect their candidate of choice
Devolution
The divisive pressures that stress states existing structures
Devolution of a state
the division of groups of people by physical geography, ethnic separatism, irredentism, or/and economic and social problems
Ethnic Separatism
Occurs when people of a particular ethnicity n a multinational state identify more strongly as members of their ethnic group than as citizens of the state
Disparity
Difference in how an ethnicity is treated (culturally, and laws of the state) leads to ethnic separatism
Ethnic Cleansing
When a state government attacks the ethnic group and try to eliminate it through expulsion, imprisonment, or killing
Supernatural organization
an alliance of three or more states that work together in pursuit of common goals or to address an issue or challenge that these countries share
-The goals could be conomic, political, military, or cultural
Economies of Scale
Where more goods and services can e produced from less money on average (Less tariff, military support, goods increase, price decrease are all created through supranational organizations
Ethnonationalism
When the people of a country identify as having one common ethnicity, religion, and language
-Can be centrifugal or centripetal
Centripetal Forces
-Ethnic Unity and tolerance
-Social/economic equity
-Charismatic leadership
-Strong infrastructure connections
-Religios acceptance
-Nationalism/symbols
-Fair and just legal system
-Common language
Centrifugal Forces
-Ethnic conflict
-Social injustice
-Dictatorial leadership
-Weak connections (transportation and communication)
-Religious intolerance
-Nationalism
-Loss of rights
-Poverty
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