Political Geography
State Interaction
State Interaction Political, military and econ. cooperation The United Nations (est. 1945) Promote int’l cooperation (peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, economic development, environmental protection and human rights) State Interaction
United Nations Peacekeepers
State Interaction Political, military and econ. cooperation The United Nations (est. 1945) Promote int’l cooperation (peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, economic development, environmental protection and human rights) Regional military alliances maintain balance of power Post–World War II: NATO (US) or the Warsaw Pact (USSR) State Interaction
Expansion of NATO
State Interaction Political, military and econ. cooperation The United Nations (est. 1945) Promote int’l cooperation (peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, economic development, environmental protection and human rights) Regional military alliances maintain balance of power Post–World War II: NATO (US) or the Warsaw Pact (USSR) Other regional organizations Org. of American States (est. 1962) African Union (est. 1963) The Commonwealth of Nations (former British colonies) State Interaction
State Interaction Political, military and econ. cooperation The United Nations (est. 1945) Promote int’l cooperation (peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, economic development, environmental protection and human rights) Regional military alliances maintain balance of power Post–World War II: NATO (US) or the Warsaw Pact (USSR) Other regional organizations Org. of American States (est. 1962) African Union (est. 1963) The Commonwealth of Nations (former British colonies) Supranational organizations A venture involving 3 or more nation-states involving formal political, economic, and/or cultural cooperation to promote shared objectives. Strictest definition requires the sacrifice of some sovereignty Who is a better example of a supranational organization the UN or EU? EU!!!! Because they sacrifice sovereignty. State Interaction
Policies & Problems Common currency Free market = 500 million people = $18.5 trillion (world’s largest) Sovereign debt crisis = high state debt PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Spain) austerity required? Germans want austerity! forced cuts to budgets, social benefits/pensions Freedom to live/work/trade anywhere in EU. no documentation needed in Schengen area (open borders) poor East/South → rich West/North if Turkish entry → Germany refugee crisis affects border states more (Hungary/Greece/Italy) No unified foreign policy no combined military (but most are NATO members) have different foreign policy priorities Anti-globalization/nationalism/self-determination Brexit (British vote to leave EU) Marine Le Pen in France (wants France to leave EU) Policies & Problems © Corbis
Is the EU a centrifugal or centripetal force for member states?
Devolution in Europe
EU effect on the state cohesion Centrifugal Centripetal EU umbrella allows for regional autonomy which weakens individual states Wealthy regions no longer rely on individual state Why are we loyal to this state if we have to pay all these taxes? Catalonia (Spain) Padania (Italy) Multinational states threatened by internal nationalism UK (Scotland) Belgium Rise in nationalism strengthens individual states Policy disagreements leads to calls for sovereignty Brexit Turkish entry Greek bailout How to treat migrants Xenophobia Rise of nationalist parties France (National Front) Hungary