Political Boundaries2/5 BELL-RINGER: Why do countries exist? What makes a country a country? Who decides?

THERE SHOULD BE NO BORDERS

EVERY “PEOPLE” DESERVE A HOMELAND OR STATE

HOMOGENOUS STATES (NATIONS) ARE IDEAL

COUNTRIES WILL NEVER JUST “GET ALONG”

I HAVE A LOT IN COMMON WITH STUDENTS IN MOSCOW, CAIRO AND BEIJING

IS POSESSION OF TERRITORY AN INNATE HUMAN CHARACTERISTIC

Political Geography-the study of political activity in a spatial context. Over 200 countries and territories in the world Great inequality of size, relative location, population, resources and potential Some are landlocked or have little coastline Some are surrounded by hostile nations In the last 60 years-the collapse of empires has added to the number of independent states. (Post WWII; Collapse of the USSR – 1991) Many newly independent nations have problems Powerful countries aim to control regions

State State – a politically organized territory with a permanent population, a defined territory, and a government. To be a state, an entity must be recognized as such by other states. Exceptions: Colonies and Protectorates

The State A state provides services for its citizens. It demands taxes It demands adherence to the laws. It demands military service Periods of adversity can increase a sense of nationalism-but can backfire A state is possible only if a national attitude or emotional attachment to the state develops.

Nations Nation – a culturally defined group of people with a shared past and a common future who relate to a territory and have political goals. People construct nations to make sense of themselves. Nations are “imagined communities” -Benedict Anderson imagined = you will never meet all the people in your nation community = you see yourself as part of it

Stateless Nations Sovereignty-complete control over a territory’s political & military affairs. Some nations do not have their own state-this can lead to conflict. Palestinians are the most well known example-a stateless nation because of the expulsion of Palestinians from their land by the creation of the state of Israel. Kurds-about 20 million people live in Kurdistan- which covers 6 states-since the 1991 Iraq War- Kurdish Security Zone has been virtually independent.

Defining the Nation-State A Nation should have –A single language –A common history –A similar ethnic background –Unity from a common political system. Cultural homogeneity not as important as “national spirit” or emotional commitment to the state. A Nation-State has: –Clearly delineated territory –Substantial population –Well-organized government –Shared political and cultural history –Emotional ties to institutions or political systems or an ideology.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God…” What are the implications of calling the US a nation?

Rise of the Modern State2/6 Bell-ringer: Should states be nation- states? If not, what is the purpose of a state? Agenda: BR; Notes; Go over colonies handout Homework – Key Issue 2

Ancient States

Early European States

Rise of the Modern State The French Revolution of 1789 – Monarchy to a Republic Bourgeois (ruling class) revolutions that got rid of monarchs and replaced with republics and 1848 another wave of revolutions swept over Europe BUT, monarchs and republics existed side by side (Britain, France, Germany, Spain, US)

European Colonialism & the Diffusion of the Nation-State Model Colonialism - When a state takes over control of a territory, taking over its government and ruling the territory as its own. Two Waves of European Colonialism: 1500 – 1825 (North and South America) 1825 – 1975 (Africa and Asia)

Dominant Colonial Influences, This map shows the dominant influence, as some places were colonized by more than one power in this time period.

Political Power2/7 Is it ever justified to take over another peoples’ land? Under what circumstances?

Colonialism Colonialism is the establishment, exploitation, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony, and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by colonizers from the metropole. - Wikipedia colonies metropolesovereigntysocial structuregovernment economics

Imperialism Imperialism, as defined by the People of Human Geography, is the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationship, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination." - Wikipedia

Colonialism FRANCE BRITAIN