Geographic Concepts in Political Science

Nation: A large aggregate of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language.
Nation-State: A state whose territory corresponds to that occupied by a particular nation. Often seen as the ideal form of political organization.
Stateless Nation: A nation without a corresponding state. This can lead to conflicts and political instability.
Multinational State: A state containing more than one nation within its borders. This can present complex political challenges and potential for conflict.
Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. It often involves the imposition of a foreign culture.
Independence Movement: Efforts by a people or territory to achieve freedom from outside rule. Often involves political mobilization and struggle.
Devolution: The transfer of power from a central government to regional or local authorities.
Shatterbelt: A region subjected to intense political, economic, or ethnic competition and conflict. These regions often experience instability and division.
Chokepoint: A strategic geographic location that controls the flow of resources or traffic, often a critical resource for a state's economic or political power.
Superimposed Boundary: A boundary imposed on an area by an external power, not necessarily reflective of existing ethnic or cultural divisions.
Subsequent Boundary: A boundary established after the development of the cultural landscape.
Antecedent Boundary: A boundary drawn before the cultural landscape developed.
Geometric Boundary: A boundary drawn with straight lines and angles, often ignoring existing cultural or physical features.
Multistate Nation: A nation whose members live in more than one state.
Autonomous: Having or characterized by self-governance, or self-determination.
Semiautonomous: Possessing a degree of self-government, but not complete independence.
Sovereignty: The supreme authority over a territory and its people.
Imperialism: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
Balkanization: The process of fragmentation or division of a region or state into smaller political units.
Territoriality: The connection of people, groups, or governments to and control over a defined physical space.
Neocolonialism: The use of economic, political, or cultural pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former colonies.
Relic Boundary: A boundary that has ceased to function but can still have significant cultural or historical impacts. A legacy of previous political organization.
Consequent Boundary: A boundary that follows the existing cultural or ethnic boundaries.
Defined Boundary: A boundary that is established through a legal agreement or treaty.
Delimited Boundary: A boundary that is legally described or mapped, but not yet marked in the physical space.
Demarcated Boundary: A boundary that is marked on the ground, often with physical features like fences or walls.
Centripetal Force: A force that tends to unify people and enhance support for a state. Examples include common culture or a national ideology.
Centrifugal Force: A force that disrupts internal unity and can lead to conflict or division. Examples include ethnic or linguistic differences.
Demilitarized Zone: A region where military forces or weapons are prohibited. Often associated with conflict zones.
Contested Territory: An area where ownership or control is disputed between conflicting parties.
Contiguous: Sharing a common border or adjacency.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): A sea zone over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources.
Disputed Territory: A region where the ownership or control is in dispute between two or more states or parties.
Enclave: A piece of territory surrounded by a larger, different territory.
Exclave: A piece of a state's territory that is geographically separated from the main body of the state.
UNCLOS: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a set of international rules governing use of the oceans. Defines sea boundaries and resource rights.