Unit 5: The Political Geography of Space

Unit Outline States, Nations, Nation-States The Structure of the State The History of The State The Modern State

Important Vocabulary Balkanization Binational or Multinational State Boundary Centripetal Force Centrifugal Force Colonies Command Economy Compact States Confederal System Consequent Boundaries Core Area Core-Periphery Cultural Boundary Democratization Devolution The Four Boundary Disputes Economic Force Electoral Geography Elongated States Enclaves, Exclaves Ethnic Force Ethnonationalism European Union Federal System Fragmentation Fragmented States Frontiers Geometric Boundaries Gerrymandering Geopolitics Imperialism Institutions Integration Internal Boundaries Irredentism Landlocked States Market Economy Marketization Microstates Minority/Majority Districting Mixed Economy Multicore State Nation/Nation-State/State Perforated States Physical Boundary Political Geography Politicization of Religion Politics Primate City Privatization Security Council Separatist Movement Shatter Belts Sovereignty Spatial Force Stateless Nation States Supranational Organization Territoriality Unitary state

Important Models and Theories Nicholas Spykman’s Rimland Theory Friedrich Ratzel’s Heartland Theory Wallerstein’s World System Theory

Guiding Unit Questions How is space politically organized into states and nations? How do states spatially organize their governments? How are boundaries established, and why do boundary disputes occur? How do geopolitics and critical geopolitics help us understand the world? What are supranational organizations and what is the future of the state?

Part 1: Political Organizations of Space

A: States, Nations, Nation-States

What is Political Geography?

Political Geography is the study of the political organization of the world.

Political Divisions States Nations Nation-States

The State

Politically Organized Permanent Population Defined Territory and Government Recognized by other States State

State Territory Sovereignty

What is sovereignty?

Sovereignty means that a state is independent from control of its internal affairs by other states.

Are the US States actual states? Because the US States do not have sovereignty, they are not considered states but districts.

The Nation

Not defined by territory “An Imagined Community” Nation Culturally Defined Shared Culture Not defined by territory “An Imagined Community” Nation

Nations The French Native Americans

Not Nations Italy Great Britain

How has globalization affected the concept of ‘nation’?

Dates to the French Revolution Created to inspire nationalism within a state Largely an ideal rather than fact Unifies groups that may destroy the state Nation-State

Examples The Vatican Iceland Scotland

Different Types of Nations and States

Multinational State A state with more than one nation inside its borders. Nearly every State in the world is a multinational state. Iraq: Sunnis, Kurds, Shiites Multistate Nations A nation that stretches across borders. Stateless Nations A nation that does not have a state. Palestinians, Kurds

B: Territoriality

What is territoriality?

Territoriality is the efforts to control pieces of the earth’s surface for political and social ends.

Territory is the most basic form of power.

To understand territoriality you have to understand politics of space.

Sack’s Theory Human territoriality is different than animal territoriality. HT takes on different forms depending on the social and geographic context.

For Example: How does a democratic system assign territory as compared to a monarchy?

C: Boundaries

What are boundaries?

Boundaries are invisible lines that mark the extent of a state’s territory and control its leaders have.

Before boundaries, there were frontiers.

A frontier is a geographic zone where no state exercises power A frontier is a geographic zone where no state exercises power. It is a neutral zone of power.

Types of Boundaries

Cultural (Consequent) Physical Mountains Desert Water Cultural (Consequent) Geometric Religious (India/Pakistan) Language

Shapes of Boundaries

What is territorial morphology?

Territorial Morphology is a term that describes the shape, size, and relative location of states.

Compact State The distance from the center to any boundary is about the same. Promotes good communication.

Prorupted State A compact state with a large projecting extension. Exists to reach a natural resource.

Perforated State A perforated state completely surrounds another. To get to the other state you have to go through the other. Problems arise if there are issues between the two states.

Elongated State A long state.

Fragmented State A state that is separated by a physical or human barrier. Communication is difficult.

Enclave State A state completely surrounded by another state. Does not have a political affinity for the surrounding state.

Exclave State A part of a state almost completely separated from the rest of the country.

Size of States: A microstate (Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Morino) may only be a few square miles. The size of the state does not necessarily suggest power.

D: Internal Boundaries and Boundary Disputes

Boundary Disputes

What are some reasons that people might fight over boundaries?

Occur when states argue about where the border actually is. Ex: The United States and Mexico argued over their border position even after it was set by treaty in 1848. Positional Disputes Arises over the ownership of a region. Conflicts arise if the people of one state want to annex a territory whose population is ethnically related. Ex: Germany invaded Poland and Czechoslovakia because there were German minorities living there. Territorial Disputes

Involve natural resources (mineral deposits, fertile farmland, or rich fishing groups) that lie in the border area. Example: The US and Canada have fought over fishing grounds in the Atlantic Ocean Allocation Disputes When neighboring states cannot agree on policies that apply in a border area. Example: The US/Mexican Border in regards to immigration and transport of goods. Operational Disputes

Internal Boundaries

Internal Boundaries Most modern countries divide themselves into districts, states, or provinces. These boundaries may be physical, cultural or geometric.

Canada 10 Provinces 2 Federal Territories 1 Self Governing Homeland

India 28 States People in different states often speak different languages.

Part 2: The Structure of the State

A: Types of Government in States

Unitary States, Confederate States, Federal States

C O N F E D E R A C Y

F E D E R A L I S M

U N I T A R Y

B: Organization of States

Capital City Core Area Periphery

What is a core area?

A Core Area is heartland of a country, usually more advanced than the rest of the country, with an intense feeling of native culture and nationality.

Multi-Core Areas Some states have more than one core area.

Capital Cities In most states, the capital city is both an economic and cultural center as well as a center for government.

What is a primate city?

A primate city is the leading city in its country or region, disproportionately larger than any others in the urban hierarchy.

Examples of Primate Cities Paris (9.6 million) is definitely the focus of France while Marseilles has a population of 1.3 million. Similarly, the United Kingdom has London as its primate city (7 million) while the second largest city, Birmingham, is home to a mere one million people. Mexico City, Mexico (8.6 million) outshines Guadalajara (1.6 million).

Forward Capital When the capital city serves as a model for national objectives – such as economic development and future hopes. (Example: Tokyo, and Brasilia)

Periphery The Periphery is the outlying areas of a state. Towns get smaller, factories less frequent, etc.

Part 3: The History of the State

Part A: Colonies and Imperialism

History of the Colonial Period

What is a colony?

Colonies are areas dependent on another country – they often establish boundaries and government where none exist.

The 14th Century What major discovery was made in the 14th Century that inspired the start of colonialism?

Why Colonize? God Gold Glory

What happened to the Western Colonies? The United States – 1776 Independence Most Latin American Countries – 1800-1824 What might this do to a nation’s morale?

Loss of Western Colonies Rise of Nationalism

What is nationalism?

Nationalism is loyalty or devotion to one's nation.

Why Nationalism? The French Revolution The Enlightenment Rise of Politics

The French Revolution What was the French Revolution? How did the French Revolution inspire nationalism?

The Enlightenment National awakening grew out of the Enlightenment. It emphasized national identity based on nationhood instead of for the established government. “Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood”

Revolution!! Many European states were being ruled by foreign authority. (Example: Greece by the Ottoman Empire) The people overthrew their government and established a national identity.

The Rise of Politics As people began to have more control over their country, nationalism began to be an important point for politicians trying to win support.

The Rise of Imperialism

What is a imperialism?

Imperialism is the policy of extending a country’s influence through diplomacy or military force to areas already governed by a indigenous society.

Imperialism was a large part of the political landscape from the 19th and early 20th century in both Africa and Asia by the European Nations.

The Scramble for Africa (1881 – 1914)

What was the scramble for Africa?

The Scramble for Africa was a process of invasion, occupation, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers

Causes Exploration Military Labor Technology Trade Routes Resources Military Bases Trade Routes Military Labor

The Berlin Conference The Berlin Conference formalized the Scramble for Africa. It set ground rules.

Rules Abolished Slavery Congo and Niger River Open for Ship Traffic Any fresh colonization would have to be approved Established Regions of Control

When did it end? The Race for Africa ended after World War I – especially when Germany was stripped of its colonies. Most African/Asian nations became independent after WWII because the European nations did not have the resources to maintain control.

Results African Nations split at Colonial Lines Drastically increased the number of Nation States Loss of Tribalism Race for Power

Part 4: The Modern State

Part A: Modern Challenges to the Nation-State

1) Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces

Important Questions How is the nation-state concept changing? Considering organizations like the United-Nations, is it possible that the flow of power might change? What are the differences between centripetal and centrifugal forces? What is devolution and how is it affecting governments?

Centripetal Forces Centrifugal Forces Forces that unify states. Forces that fragment states.

Flags, Symbols, Holidays Centripetal Forces Nationalism Flags, Symbols, Holidays Schools and Education Church and Religion Transportation Communication

Opposing Institutions Centrifugal Forces Opposing Institutions Oppositional Nationalism Separatist Movements Peripheral Locations Ethnic Forces Economic Forces

2. Devolution and Its Causes.

English Government Imagine, as a Louisianan, that you were being governed by a group of people from North Dakota. How would this make you feel? What problems might this cause?

English Government England is largely governed by people out of London. The problem is that many people feel that London does not adequately represent them so London has moved from a strict Unitary System to a Federal System.

What is devolution?

Devolution is the transfer of power from the central government to sub-governments.

Ethnic Forces When a state contains a strong ethnic group that is different than the majority it can cause ethnonationalism. This can be further exacerbated when the ethnic group lives in one central area. Examples: French Canadians in Quebec, India and Pakistan’s Separation, Yugoslavia (Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Serbia-Montenegro)

Economic Forces When one area of a state is economically inequal to the other areas. Examples: Italy’s “Ancona Line”, This is especially true in any areas separated from the core.

Spatial Forces Distance, remoteness, and peripheral location promote devolution, especially if water, desert, or mountains separate the areas from the center of power. Examples: Example: Puerto Rico. 2 + 2 = 5 in extremely large cases of 2.

Part B: Changing Geopolitical Concerns

1. Theories of Geopolitics.

What is geopolitics?

Geopolitics is the study of spatial and territorial dimensions of power relationships within the global political-territorial order.

Examples of Geopolitics How does Chinese Trade affect American Interests? How does the European Union affect the individual governments of members? How does the conflict in the Middle East affect relationships between UN countries.

The Power Structure of Global Politics Friedrich Ratzel States are like biological organisms They have a predictable rise and fall. Sir Halford MacKinder The Heartland Theory Eurasia has the resources to rule the world. Nicholas Spykmann The Rimland Theory The Rimland (Encircles the Heartland of Eurasia) has Control

Rimland Theory

Heartland Theory

2. Supranational Organizations.

What is a supranational organization?

Supranational Organizations are organizations that transcend national boundaries to make decisions on a geopolitical level.

Historical Supranationals The Concert of Europe Formed in the 19th Century Formed to restore the balance of power after Napoleons fall. Voluntary Agreement League of Nations Formed after WWI Failed at the advent of WWII

The United Nations Started with only 49 nation-states in 1945, has grown to 192 members. Membership is voluntary, but the body has limited-powers to force its members to abide by peace keeping principles. The Security Council (The U.S., Great Britain, France, China, and Russia) can establish a peace-keeping force in a hotspot and request states to contribute military forces. Contains many sub-organizations that promote general welfare and monitor world trade and economics.

The European Union Considered a regional organization. Fostered by the belief in integration (encourages states to pool sovereignty) Largely an economic organization (The Euro) Trade and other economic matters Justice and Home Affairs Common foreign and security policy

Effects of the EU Has large control over Monetary Policy Demonstrates the rise of the S.O over National Sovereignty Provides Europe more power over World Issues

Part C: Forces of Change

Move Towards Market Economies Forces of Change Democritization Move Towards Market Economies Religious Politics

Globalization What is globalization? How might globalization effect the way that states look and govern themselves?

1. Democratization.

What is democratization?

Democratization is the process of non-democratic countries becoming democratic.

Illiberal Democracies Civil Liberties Equal Treatment Neutrality of Judiciary Open Civil Society Open Media Civilian control of the military Illiberal Democracies Missing some or all of those characteristics.

Samuel Huntington’s Theory Third Wave Defeat of dictatorial or totalitarian rulers. More Recent Second Wave After WWII – Post-Colonialism First Wave Gradual Samuel Huntington’s Theory

Reasons for Democratization Loss of Legitimacy by Authoritarian Regimes The expansion of an urban middle class A new emphasis on “human rights” by the United States The “snow-ball” effect

When is a country considered democratic? Democracy may be declared when a country has had at least two successive peaceful turnovers.

2. Market Economies.

Types of Economies Command Economy – The government determines the cost of product and what to sell. Mixed Economy – Allows significant government control while still providing for market principles. Market Economy – The producers determine the cost of product and what to sell based on what people determine what to purchase.

Global Economic Change Most countries have experienced or are experiencing Marketization – the movement from a command economy to a mixed economy. This does not necessarily connect with the government’s power (China, Russia)

3. Revival of Ethnic or Cultural Politics.

Fragmentation The division of states based on cultural identity. How can you see fragmentation in the Middle East?

What is the politicization of religion?

The politicization of religion is the use of religious principles to promote political ends and vice versa.

Islam in the Middle East Examples Islam in the Middle East American Politics Terrorism

The End. Please Note: Somewhere along the way, my notes on Gerrymandering was removed from my notes. I will try to add these in whenever I can. Pay special attention to the different types of gerrymandering and why it occurs.