State & Nation Concepts Quiz

State & Nation Concepts

• Nation: A group of people with shared cultural attributes (language, ethnicity, religion). Distinct from a state, a nation isn't necessarily associated with a specific territory. Often, a nation desires a state (a politically organized territory) to belong to.
• State: A politically organized territory with a permanent population, defined territory, a government, and recognition from other states. It has sovereignty, the ability to govern its territory independently.
• Nation-state: A state where the people are united as a single nation. Rare in practice; most nations and states aren't fully matched in practice.
• Stateless nation: A nation without a state.
• Multinational state: A sovereign state with two or more nations within its borders.
• Multistate nation: A nation spread across multiple countries.
• Autonomous region: A section of a nation with a measure of independence.
• Semi-autonomous region: A region with significant self-governance within a larger entity.

Geopolitical Concepts

• Sovereignty: A state's authority to govern its territory without outside interference.
• Self-determination: The right of a people to govern themselves and choose their own political status.
• Colonialism: Rule by a more powerful state over another.
• Imperialism: The extension of power and authority.
• Independence movement: An effort to create a new, sovereign state.
• Devolution: Transfer of power from a central government to regional governments.
• Neocolonialism: Continued control or influence through subtle means post-colonialism.
• Shatterbelt: A region fragmented by external pressures and conflicts.
• Choke point: A strategic narrow passageway.
• Territoriality: The connection between people, culture, economy, and land.
• Boundary: A dividing line.
• Relic boundary: A former boundary that no longer functions but still visible.
• Superimposed boundary: A boundary forced on a region by a conqueror. Typically disregards existing cultural structures.
• Subsequent boundary: A boundary established after people have settled.
• Geometric boundary: A boundary composed of straight lines and/or arcs.
• Consequent boundary: A boundary created to accommodate cultural differences.
• Antecedent boundary: A boundary drawn before significant settlement.
• Demilitarized zone: An area without weapons or military forces.
• Maritime boundary: A division of water areas.
• UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea): A convention establishing guidelines for maritime activities.
• District: A territorial division for governance or elections.

Political Organization

• Reapportionment: Revising representation in government based on population changes.
• Redistricting: Revision of political districts.
• Majority-minority districts: Districts where the majority are from a minority group.
• Gerrymandering: The act of manipulating district boundaries to benefit a party.
• Federal State: A state that disperses power among local entities.
• Unitary State: A state with centralized governance.
• Subnational units: Political divisions within a country.

Political Processes & Conflicts

• Ethnic separatism: Advocacy for separation of an ethnic group.
• Ethnic cleansing: The forced removal of an ethnic group.
• Irredentism: The claim of a territory as belonging to a nation.
• Supranational organizations: Agreements between three or more states for cooperation (e.g., EU).
• Democracy: Government by the people.

State Unification & Division

• Centripetal forces: Factors that unify a country.
• Centrifugal forces: Factors that divide a country.
• Ethnonationalism: Support for a nation's political interests, based on ethnicity.
• Balkanization: Dividing a region into smaller, often hostile states.