Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is required for a political unit to be considered an independent state?
What is required for a political unit to be considered an independent state?
Which of the following best defines 'self-determination'?
Which of the following best defines 'self-determination'?
Which term describes a nation that does not have an independent state of its own?
Which term describes a nation that does not have an independent state of its own?
What type of boundary is drawn before a large population was present?
What type of boundary is drawn before a large population was present?
Signup and view all the answers
What best describes neocolonialism?
What best describes neocolonialism?
Signup and view all the answers
Which is an example of a semiautonomous region?
Which is an example of a semiautonomous region?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of political boundary involves cultural differences such as language or religion?
Which type of political boundary involves cultural differences such as language or religion?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of a demarcated boundary?
What is the primary function of a demarcated boundary?
Signup and view all the answers
In which scenario would 'allocational' boundary disputes typically arise?
In which scenario would 'allocational' boundary disputes typically arise?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by 'gerrymandering' in political geography?
What is meant by 'gerrymandering' in political geography?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of governance allows for a distribution of power among multiple levels of government?
Which type of governance allows for a distribution of power among multiple levels of government?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant event marked the end of the Thirty Years’ War and established the concept of state sovereignty?
What significant event marked the end of the Thirty Years’ War and established the concept of state sovereignty?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a primary objective of the United Nations (UN)?
What is a primary objective of the United Nations (UN)?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of supranationalism is primarily represented by the European Union (EU)?
Which type of supranationalism is primarily represented by the European Union (EU)?
Signup and view all the answers
What does centrifugal force mainly refer to in political geography?
What does centrifugal force mainly refer to in political geography?
Signup and view all the answers
Which organization was initially aimed at fighting colonialism and promoting political integration in Africa?
Which organization was initially aimed at fighting colonialism and promoting political integration in Africa?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common goal of supranationalism?
What is a common goal of supranationalism?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following describes ethnonationalism?
Which of the following describes ethnonationalism?
Signup and view all the answers
Which supranational organization is focused on military alliance and mutual defense?
Which supranational organization is focused on military alliance and mutual defense?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one consequence of devolution as indicated in the content?
What is one consequence of devolution as indicated in the content?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following illustrates a challenge to sovereignty?
Which of the following illustrates a challenge to sovereignty?
Signup and view all the answers
How does community technology influence supranationalism?
How does community technology influence supranationalism?
Signup and view all the answers
Which country is not a member of the European Union?
Which country is not a member of the European Union?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the main objectives of the Arctic Council?
What is one of the main objectives of the Arctic Council?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'failed state' refer to?
What does the term 'failed state' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What kind of forces encourage unity within a country?
What kind of forces encourage unity within a country?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Political Processes and Power
- State: A political unit with defined boundaries, a permanent population, and some form of government powers, either full or shared. Independence requires sovereignty (power to rule itself) and recognition by other states. Legitimacy is also important.
- Examples of States: USA, Canada, Egypt, (Potentially) Kosovo. Other examples (Utah (USA), NCR (national capital region), etc. are considered political units, not independent states).
- Self-determination: The right of a group of people to form their own independent state. Example: Kurds.
- Nation: A group of people sharing common culture, homeland/territory, history, and political society. Nations can be ethnonationalist (based on ethnicity) or civic nationalist (based on shared citizenship).
- Examples of Nations: Jewish people (Ethnonationalism), Americans, Canadians, Australians (Civic Nationalism).
- Nation-state: When a nation and an independent state occupy the same territory. Example: Iceland.
- Multinational state: An independent state with more than one nation within its borders. Example: India (Punjabis, Gujaratis, etc.).
- Multistate nation: A nation existing in multiple independent states. Example: Hungarians, Tamils.
- Stateless nation: A nation without its own independent state. Example: Kurds.
- Autonomous region: A region within a state with significant government power, operating somewhat independently. Example: Hong Kong.
- Semi-autonomous region: A region with a degree of self-governance. Example: Native American reservations.
History of Political Maps
- Historically, concepts like "state" and "sovereignty" were less prevalent, with empires, dynasties, and kingdoms being more common.
- The Peace of Westphalia (1648) marked a significant shift, recognizing the right of independent states to govern themselves without external interference.
- Colonialism and imperialism (e.g., European powers in Africa) continued to influence the political map after Westphalia.
- Decolonization happened extensively after World War II.
- The Cold War (1945-1991) characterized by rivalry between the US and Soviet Union. Proxy wars and alliances.
- The end of the Cold War led to the creation of numerous new independent states.
Defining Political Boundaries
- Types of Boundaries: Physical (e.g., rivers), Geometric (e.g., latitude/longitude lines), Cultural (e.g., language regions).
- Classifications of Boundaries: Antecedent (pre-existing population), Subsequent (drawn after development or events), Consequent (cultural changes), Superimposed (forced/imposed by outside powers), Relic (no longer used).
- Example (Subsequent boundary): Ireland/Northern Ireland following religious divisions.
- Example (Superimposed boundary): Berlin Conference division of Africa.
- Example (Relic boundary): North/South Vietnam border (doesn't exist today).
Political Boundaries and Administrations
- Boundary functions: Defined (legal), delimited (drawn on maps), demarcated (markers on the ground), and administered (monitored).
- Demilitarized zone (DMZ): A region prohibiting military activity. Examples: the border between North and South Korea.
- Boundary disagreements: Definitional (language), Locational (physical), Operational (function), and Allocational (resources).
- Shatterbelt: A region subjected to conflicts from multiple forces. Example: Korea during the Cold War
- Chokepoint: A strategically important location/navigable area. Example: Strait of Hormuz, vital for oil/gas movement
- Water boundaries: Defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), which divides sea borders into territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and high seas.
- Effects of Boundaries: Disputes over resources (e.g., oil, water).
Internal Boundaries
- Boundaries exist within countries (municipalities, school districts).
- Redistricting: Redrawing voting district lines.
- Gerrymandering: Drawing boundaries for political advantage (packing & cracking).
Forms of Governance
- Unitary governments: Power concentrated at the national level. Example: France, China.
- Federal governments: Power divided between national and subnational levels. Example: USA, Canada.
Devolutionary Factors
- Devolution: Transfer of power from central to subnational levels.
- Causes of devolution: Physical geography, cultural/ethnic differences, economic disparities, irredentism (desire to unite culturally similar people across borders), and violence.
- Examples of devolution: Quebec (Canada), Catalonia (Spain), Flanders and Wallonia (Belgium), Countries of the former Soviet Union, Nigeria, South Sudan.
Challenges to Sovereignty
- Supranationalism: Cooperation amongst independent states for common purposes. Example: EU, UN, NATO, ASEAN, African Union.
Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces
- Centripetal forces: Unify people. Example: Fair laws, strong leadership, economic growth.
- Centrifugal forces: Divide people, e.g. Unfair laws, poverty, ethnic differences which leads to potential Ethnonationalism, conflict and potentially the failure of a political unit.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the concepts of states, nations, and self-determination in this quiz. Delve into the definitions, examples, and nuances that differentiate various political units and movements worldwide. Test your understanding of political legitimacy and the formation of nation-states.
