Political Geography

Internal Politics

Internal Structure of States Unitary central govt. dictates all policy from capital example: France France has “departments” but they only implement policy decided by central government Recently France has devolved some power to regions. dictatorships, communist governments are examples. centripetal – keeps regions in line centrifugal – causes resentment and desire for local autonomy in regions Internal Structure of States

Unitary System

Internal Structure of States Federal Power shared by central and regional govts. Example: U.S. Globally, there is a trend toward federations “Devolution” (weakening of central power, shift in power away from the central government to regional governments) Centripetal more local autonomy, recognition of ethnic autonomy allowing some regional control can satisfy desire for autonomy Centrifugal can lead to separatist movements, regionalism constant source of political conflict within the U.S. Slavery, Civil War, “States Rights”, Jim Crow Laws gay marriage (Supreme Court decision was anti-devolutionary) marijuana policy Internal Structure of States

Federal System

Differences in state laws: federalism in action

Internal Structure of States Confederation little central authority, all power is regional. Only certain limited powers are given to the central govt. Examples: U.S. under Articles of Confederation Often unstable, and highly centrifugal as countries struggle to establish a national identity Internal Structure of States

Confederal System

Systems of governmental power (compared)

Gerrymandering KNOW STEPS IN ORDER” manipulation of redistricting every 10 years = census seats in Congress are “reapportioned” , therefore… new maps need to be drawn = redistricting manipulation of redistricting Three types 1) Wasted or “cracking” Spreading opponents strength across several districts in order to weaken 2) Excess or “packing” Concentrating opponents strength in one district to lessen effect on others 3) “Stacking” (form of packing) Create majority-minority district Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering: wasted vote or “cracking” An example of the "cracking“ form of gerrymandering. The urban (and mostly liberal) Columbus, OH, located in Franklin County, is split into thirds, each segment then attached to — and outnumbered by — largely conservative suburbs.

Excess vote or “packing”

Gerrymandering: stacked vote aka “packing”