Rubenstein chapter 8 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

Where are States Distributed? Key issue 1 Where are States Distributed?

A STATE is an area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government that has control over its internal and foreign affairs. Country is often used as a synonym for state. Largest state is Russia which encompasses 17.1 million square kilometers (6.6 million square miles) Smallest state in the United Nations is Monaco with 1.5 square kilometers (0.6 square miles) Example of microstate, which are states with very small land areas.

Occupies defined territory Has permanent population A STATE: Occupies defined territory Has permanent population

Formal Functional (Nodal) Vernacular (Perceptual) A state is a good example of what type of REGION? Formal Functional (Nodal) Vernacular (Perceptual)

A state has sovereignty, which means independence from control of its internal affairs by other states.

At over 6.6 million square miles, RUSSIA is the world’s largest state.

Vatican city incorporates .2 square miles. On the other end of the spectrum are MICROSTATES, which incorporate 1,000 or less square miles. Vatican city incorporates .2 square miles.

Not a STATE in APHG terms- CT is a subdivision of a state, the USA. CT is 5,500 square miles. Not a STATE in APHG terms- CT is a subdivision of a state, the USA.

The most powerful SUPRANATIONAL organization is the UNITED NATIONS. While states have sovereignty over their internal affairs, their behavior toward other states is governed by international laws and organizations. The most powerful SUPRANATIONAL organization is the UNITED NATIONS.

When founded in 1945, the UN had 49 ‘MEMBER STATES.’ Today, it has 193. These states cover virtually the entire surface of the Earth.

Independent states have appeared rapidly around the world over the 20th century. Three waves are particularly notable: 1955: 16 European countries join the UN, mostly in eastern Europe. 1960: 17 African countries are decolonized and join the UN. 1990-93: The breakup of the Soviet Union births 26 new countries

There are two ‘permanent observer’ states at the UN, which exist in between state and non-state status. They are: The Holy See (Vatican City) The State of Palestine

How does the UN work? FIGURE 8-3 UN MEMBERS Nearly the entire land area of the world is part of the UN

The most powerful body in the UN is the SECURITY COUNCIL The most powerful body in the UN is the SECURITY COUNCIL. Its 5 permanent members hold ‘veto’ power over all UN actions.

One main criticism of the UN is that it has no ‘teeth.’ Not only can any member of the Security Council veto any resolution, but the UN peacekeeping army is totally voluntary- meaning countries can refuse to deploy them in any instance.

WEST BANK (Israel/Palestine) Some regions test the definition of a state because multiple actors lay claim to the same piece of territory. KASHMIR (India/Pakistan) WEST BANK (Israel/Palestine)

Contested States: THE KOREAS

This was meant to be a temporary division. Though they were historically united, Russia and the US divided Korea along the 38th parallel after WWII. This was meant to be a temporary division.

However, when both powers withdrew their armies in the late 1940s, they left separate governments in place- one democratic (south), one communist (north).

In 1950, the north invaded the south, pulling the US into a bloody 2-year war. This ended in a stalemate along the 38th parallel; no truce or armistice was ever officially signed.

Today, the border between the two Koreas is the most heavily militarized in the world. The two countries are technically still at war. This border is called the ‘Demilitarized Zone’ (DMZ) – though it is anything but.

The Koreas at night from space Over the decades, South Korea has become an economic tiger, while North Korea has languished under a repressive gov’t and crippling int’l sanctions. The Koreas at night from space

Both Koreas consider their homeland ‘divided’ and call for reunification. This dream, however, grows ever more distant as the realities facing North and South Korea become increasingly different.

Contested States: CHINA & TAIWAN

In the late 1940s the long civil war between Chinese Communists and Nationalists drew to a close. Defeated, the Nationalists fled to the island of TAIWAN, assuming control.

Though the US supported the Nationalists, they did not want to offend the powerful Communists- so the US has never recognized Taiwan as an independent country.

Instead, Taiwan has remained the most populous non-state territory in the world, with 23 million inhabitants.

A deep divide exists within Taiwan, with many considering themselves Taiwanese and many other considering themselves Chinese.

Elections are very important, because politicians in Taiwan either support or oppose independence. On January 16th, 2016, a new president was elected- the first woman, and a strong supporter of independence. Tsai Ing-Wen

Contested States: POLAR REGIONS

Though most of the Polar Regions are claimed by various nations, these claims are not totally official. Many claims are overlapping- a fact which could lead to conflict as competition for resources increases.

The US and Russia recognize no claims here at all. The ANTARCTIC REGION includes slivers claimed by several actors, though few countries recognize these claims. The US and Russia recognize no claims here at all.

British research station Under the Law of the Sea Convention (1972), countries are banned from establishing permanent non-research facilities in Antarctica, including military bases. British research station

The ARTIC region is much more controversial. Resources recently found there have produced strong competition between countries making claims, including the US and RUSSIA.

Huge potential natural gas fields in the Arctic

Russia has been the most assertive major power in the region. In 2015, the Russians established a large military base in the Artic Circle with thousands of soldiers.

Origin of the STATE CONCEPT

The first sovereign political units were called CITY-STATES. These were states organized around a central city, including little more than the surrounding agricultural regions.

The basis for ‘modern’ states came during the Medieval era, as powerful kings/nobles conquered and incorporated surrounding cities and peoples into their territory.

Eventually, the most powerful actors assembled EMPIRES, which arbitrarily accumulated lands through conquest.

City-states, medieval states, and empires were based on the territory controlled by a ruler. The idea of the identity of a region’s peoples determining its political character (rather than the whim of a leader) is a relatively new concept.

Today many states are based on the concept of SELF-DETERMINATION- the idea that different ethnicities have the right to control their own affairs within their own states.

Another word for an ethnicity is a NATION- a group of people with shared cultural and political values and a common history. A NATION-STATE is a country which corresponds to the territory of a NATION, and is influenced by its unique culture and politics.

LANGUAGE is often considered to be the strongest indicator of ethnic identity fit for an independent political unit. In the 20th century, many attempts have been made to assemble countries based on common language.