Chapter 8: Political Geography

KI #1 Where Are States Located? Terms we must know first …. State – area organized into a political unit ruled by a govt that controls its internal and foreign affairs Sovereignty – independence from control of its internal affairs by other states.

Problems of defining states Almost all habitable land belongs to a country today In 1940, there were about 50 countries Today, there are 192 countries (as evidenced by United Nations membership) Some places are difficult to classify Korea: One state or two? Western Sahara (Sahrawi Republic) Claims to polar regions – Antartica only large landmass not part of a state.

Varying sizes of states sizes varies considerably Largest state = Russia 11 percent of the world’s land area Smallest state = Monaco Microstate = states with very small land areas About two dozen microstates

Development of the state concept Ancient states The Fertile Crescent - City-state – sovereign state that comprises of a town and the surrounding area Early European states Roman Empire

Colony – territory that is legally tied to a state rather than being completely independent Three motives: “God, gold, and glory” Today = some remaining colonies Imperialism – control of a territory already occupied and organized by an indigenous society.

Colonial Possessions, 1914 Compared to …………… Figure 8-8

Colonial Possessions, 2006 Figure 8-9

KI #2 Why Do Boundaries Between States Cause Problems? Boundary – an invisible line marking the extent of a state’s territory. THEY CAN BE: Physical, cultural, and geometric features Boundaries can generate conflicts

Shapes of states (5 basic shapes) Compact = efficient – distance from center to any boundary does not vary significantly (POLAND) Elongated = potential isolation – states with long or narrow shape. (CHILE) Prorupted = access or disruption – large protruding extension (access to resource or separate 2 states sharing a boundary-THAILAND) Fragmented = problematic – several discontinuous pieces of territory (INDONESIA or RUSSIA/KALININGRAD) Perforated = state that completely surrounds another state (SOUTH AFRICA) Landlocked states – lacks direct outlet to sea, surrounded by other countries (NOT A STATE SHAPE)

Boundaries Physical Desert, Mountain, & Water boundaries Geometric (straight lines not involved with other types Cultural Religious, Language, & Ethnic Boundaries Frontiers- a zone where no state exercises complete political authority…

Boundaries inside states Unitary states- central or national government has complete authority over all other political divisions or administrative units Example: France Federal States- political authority divided between 2 autonomous groups governments, 1 national , the other subnational, both of which operate directly upon the people. STRONG REGIONAL GOV’T Example: Poland, US

Electoral geography Boundaries within the United States are used to create legislative districts Gerrymandering Three types: wasted, excess, and stacked vote Illegal (1985 U.S. Supreme Court decision)

INSIDE NORTH KOREA

KI #3 Why Do States Cooperate with Each Other? Political and military cooperation The United Nations (SUPRANATIONAL) (est. 1945) Represents a forum where virtually all states can meet and vote on issues without resorting to war Regional military alliances Balance of power – great powers of approximately equal strength. Post-WWII – United States vs Soviet Union Made alliances, est. military bases throughout the world Post–World War II: NATO or the Warsaw Pact NATO = US, Canada and Western EU Warsaw = Soviet Union, Eastern EU Designed to maintain a bipolar balance in Europe.

Economic and Military Alliances in Cold War Europe Figure 8-21

Economic Cooperation Most important elements of state power are increasingly economic rather than military European Union (SUPRANATIONAL) (spans 27 countries) Main task of the EU is to promote development within the member states through economic cooperation.

KI #4 Why Has Terrorism Increased? Systematic use of violence to intimidate a population or to coerce a government Use of bombing, kidnapping, hijacking, and murder to instill fear and anxiety in a population Terrorists consider all citizens responsible for the actions being opposed, therefore justified as victims.

Terrorism by individuals and organizations American terrorists (OK City) September 11, 2001, attacks Al-Qaeda – founded by Osama bin Laden around 1990, to unite jihadist fighters in Afghanistan. not a single unified organization Jihad – holy war Has recently splintered into ISIS/ISIL

State support for terrorism Three increasing levels of involvement Providing sanctuary Supplying weapons, money, and intelligence to terrorists Using terrorists to plan attacks Examples Syria Libya Iraq Afghanistan Iran Pakistan-housed Osama bin Laden