POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

Political Geography  Geographic concepts helps us to understand the changing political organization of Earth’s surface  Can use geographic methods to examine the causes of political change and instability and to anticipate potential trouble spots throughout the world  When looking at earth, it’s easy to distinguish places What we cannot see are boundaries  One of Earth’s most fundamental cultural characteristics is the division of our planet’s surface into a collection of spaces occupied by individual countries

Political Geography  Study of human political organization of the Earth at various levels Studied at three scales Studied at three scales Supranational scaleSupranational scale Ex. United Nations Ex. United Nations Country/nation scaleCountry/nation scale How government is organized How government is organized Sub-national (local) scaleSub-national (local) scale Boundaries for voting districts Boundaries for voting districts  Political geographers also study the changing role of the country in the world’s political affairs Geopolitics The state’s power to control space or territory and shape international political relations

Political Geography  Today Globalization means more connections among states  Individual countries have transferred military, economic, and political authority to regional and worldwide collections of states  Power is exercised through connections among states created primarily for economic cooperation

Human Territoriality  Territoriality is creating ownership over a defined space  Territoriality can apply to your bedroom or an entire country Often evokes emotional response Often evokes emotional response Ex. Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait triggered the Gulf WarEx. Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait triggered the Gulf War Ex. Germany’s invasion of Poland triggered WWIIEx. Germany’s invasion of Poland triggered WWII  Personal Space Territoriality can also be applied to personal space Personal space is the area we claim as our own territory into which others may not enter without our permission How much is personal varies

Sovereignty  Definition: Internationally recognized control a place has over the people and territory within its boundaries Internationally recognized control a place has over the people and territory within its boundaries Nearly 200 countries on earth with sovereigntyNearly 200 countries on earth with sovereignty DisputesDisputes Sovereignty of Taiwan Sovereignty of Taiwan Sovereignty of Kurdistan Sovereignty of Kurdistan Sovereignty of Kosovo Sovereignty of Kosovo Oceans Oceans

States and Nations  State refers to: Arguably most powerful institution in globalization Arguably most powerful institution in globalization To be a state: To be a state: Political unit with permanent populationPolitical unit with permanent population citizenship citizenship Territorial boundaries that are recognized by other statesTerritorial boundaries that are recognized by other states Effective governmentEffective government Working economyWorking economy SovereigntySovereignty  Nation refers to:  a group of people who share a common culture and identity as a cohesive groupgroup of people  Needed:  Language  Religion  Shared history  Territory (not always)  Example: Jewish nation

Multinational States vs. Nation-States  Multinational state Country that includes more than one nation within its borders Country that includes more than one nation within its borders Ex. Soviet UnionEx. Soviet Union  Nation-state State with only one nation in its borders State with only one nation in its borders Ex. Japan, IcelandEx. Japan, Iceland  Stateless nation When a nation does not have territory to call its own Assyrian Christians of Iraq Kurds of Iraq, Turkey, Iran Ughirs of Western China

History of Nation-State Concept  Humans have organized political space in different forms throughout their existence  Early humans organized into clans When conquered became kingdoms and empires When conquered became kingdoms and empires  Ancient Greeks and Romans created city-states Political space revolved around a central city and surrounding farmland Political space revolved around a central city and surrounding farmland  After fall of Roman Empire, Western Europe was divided into a feudal structure Mainly based on religion Mainly based on religion Eventually faded, strong monarchies emerged Eventually faded, strong monarchies emerged  Stronger monarchies led to more internal cohesion and rise of nation-states More cohesive group of people linked to their territory through a shared government and common goals  Pattern diffused throughout Europe Goal of WWII  Idea of linking people who share strong send of unity a way to prevent ethnonational violence

Ethnonationalism and Conflict  Definition A powerful emotion attachment to one’s nation that occurs when a minority nation within a state feels different from the rest of the state’s people A powerful emotion attachment to one’s nation that occurs when a minority nation within a state feels different from the rest of the state’s people  When a minority feels that they do not have enough self-determination, or the power to control their own territory and destiny, ethnonationalism can lead to conflict Example The Chechen people comprise a minority nation that live in Russia and have a strong sense of ethnonationalism that has led to violent conflict with the Russian government.

Ethnonationalism and Conflict  Irredentism Members of a nation do not always live in just one place Members of a nation do not always live in just one place The Serbs are a nation, but they exist in several countries, not just the land that is considered SerbiaThe Serbs are a nation, but they exist in several countries, not just the land that is considered Serbia Conflict can arise when a nation’s homeland is spread into the territory of another state or several states Conflict can arise when a nation’s homeland is spread into the territory of another state or several states Definition A movement by a nation to reunite its parts when they have spread across other borders Ex. Irredentism occurred when Hitler believed that the German nation had spread into Czechoslovakian territory, he wanted to take control of that land to reunite Germans into one state

Examples of Ethnonational Conflict PlaceConflicting PartiesReason South AsiaIndia and PakistanTwo parties are fighting over control of Kashmir Palestine, Southwest Asia Jewish Israelis vs Muslim Palestinians and Arab allies The stateless nation of Muslim Palestinians and their Arab allies are warring against the Jewish- controlled state of Israel for autonomy Southeast Asia Mainland China and TaiwanTaiwan founded in the 1940s. China does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state Former Yugoslavia Serbs vs all the other nationalities that were once part of “Yugoslavia” In the 1990s different nations in the multinational state of Yugoslavia warred to break away from the Serb- dominated government in Belgrade. RussiaRussia vs ChechnyaChechnya is a state in the Russian republic, governed by Moscow.

Ethnonationalism and Conflict  Buffer States and Zones A buffer state is an independent country located between two larger countries that are in conflict A buffer state is an independent country located between two larger countries that are in conflict Russia and China have warred over boundaries for centuries, but Mongolia, a buffer, has helped reduce direct confrontation between the two statesRussia and China have warred over boundaries for centuries, but Mongolia, a buffer, has helped reduce direct confrontation between the two states  Satellite States Countries controlled by another, more powerful state Countries controlled by another, more powerful state During the Cold War, the Soviet Union worked to dominate the Eastern European buffer zone and install Communist satellite states thereDuring the Cold War, the Soviet Union worked to dominate the Eastern European buffer zone and install Communist satellite states there Called the “Iron Curtain” Called the “Iron Curtain”  Shatterbelts State or group of states that exists within a sphere of competition between larger states and is often culturally, economically, and politically fragmented and splintered Eastern Europe Existed as a sphere of competition between U.S.S.R. and western powers

Types of Boundaries  Three types of boundaries Geometric Geometric Physical Physical Cultural Cultural  Best boundaries are those to which all affected states agree, regardless of the rationale used to draw the line  Geometric  Straight-line boundaries that do not related to the cultural or physical features of the territories involved  Ex. North/South Korea 38 th parallel  Physical (or natural)  Separate territories according to natural features in the landscape, such as mountains, deserts, or rivers  Ex. France and Spain are divided by the Pyrenees

Types of Boundaries  Cultural Boundaries Mark changes in the cultural landscape, such as boundaries that divide territories according to religion or language Mark changes in the cultural landscape, such as boundaries that divide territories according to religion or language Sometimes drawn according to geometric straight lines Sometimes drawn according to geometric straight lines Religious Only a few cases where religion has been used to select the actual boundary line Example: South Asia, partition of India and Pakistan Ireland and North Ireland Language Europe best example Idea spread during 20 th century Versailles Conference

Cyprus “Green Line” Boundary  Contains two nationalities Turkish= north, eastern Turkish= north, eastern 18% of population18% of population Greek= south Greek= south 78% of population78% of population  Cyprus gained independence in 1960 Constitution guaranteed Turkish minority rights Constitution guaranteed Turkish minority rights Cyprus never peacefully integrated the Greek and Turkish nationalities Cyprus never peacefully integrated the Greek and Turkish nationalities  Series of Coups led to Turkish section declaring itself independent in 1983 no one except Turkey recognizes independence  Wall constructed between two areas Buffer zone patrolled by UN Accepted to EU in 2004

Frontiers  Frontier:  Region where no state exercises complete and political control or boundaries are weakly developed  Antarctica  Saudi Arabia and Yemen  Tangible geographic area whereas a boundary is a infinitely thin, invisible, imaginary line Frontier provides an area of separation but a boundary brings two neighbors into direct contact Frontier provides an area of separation but a boundary brings two neighbors into direct contact  A frontier area is uninhabited or sparsely settled by a few isolated pioneers  19 th Century (1800s) Vast amounts of frontiers Australia American West Canadian North Sub-Saharan Africa

Boundary Evolution  Evolution Another way to classify boundaries depends not on how they were created, but how they evolved over time Another way to classify boundaries depends not on how they were created, but how they evolved over time Antecedent boundariesAntecedent boundaries Existed before humans cultures developed into current forms Existed before humans cultures developed into current forms Subsequent boundariesSubsequent boundaries Grow to divide space as result of human interaction Grow to divide space as result of human interaction Superimposed boundariesSuperimposed boundaries Forcibly put on the landscape Forcibly put on the landscape Relict boundaryRelict boundary No longer functions has a boundary No longer functions has a boundary  Boundary Creation Several steps on the growth of boundaries into final form Definition Phase in which the exact location of a boundary is legally described and negotiated De Jure De Facto Delimitation Is the step when the boundary’s definition is drawn onto a map Demarcation Is the visible marking of a boundary on the landscape with a fence, line, sign, wall, or other means Administration Is the enforcement by a government or people of the boundary that has been created

Boundary disputes  Conflicts over boundaries are divided into different categories Can include mix of categories Can include mix of categories  Type of Disputes Definitional disputes Fight over the language of border agreement in a treaty or contract Japan and Russia Locational disputes Occur when conflicting parties agree on the definition but not on where the boundary exists on a map Operational disputes Conflicts over the way a boundary should operation or function Allocational boundary disputes Fights over resources that may by

Territorial Morphology  Territorial Morphology  Relationship between a state’s geographic shape, size, relative location, and it’s political situation  Shape of states  Controls the length of its boundaries with other states Shape affects potential for communication and conflict with neighbors Shape affects potential for communication and conflict with neighbors  Shape is part of its identity  Shape can determine the difficulty or ease of internal administration and social unity  5 basic shapes Compact Elongated Prorupted Perforated Fragmented

Compact States  Definition: the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly Theoretically would be shaped in a circle or squareTheoretically would be shaped in a circle or square Capital at center and shortest boundaries to defend Capital at center and shortest boundaries to defend Often the political ideal Often the political ideal Compactness is a beneficial characteristic for most smaller states Compactness is a beneficial characteristic for most smaller states Good for communicationsGood for communications Does not necessarily means peaceDoes not necessarily means peace

Elongated States  Definition: states with long and narrow shape states with long and narrow shape  Problems: May suffer from poor internal communications and transporation May suffer from poor internal communications and transporation Region at north or south end may be isolated Region at north or south end may be isolated Capital may lose influence over one end of the elongation Capital may lose influence over one end of the elongation  Examples: Chile, Malawi, Italy, Gambia Chile, Malawi, Italy, Gambia

Prorupted States  Definition: Also called protruded Also called protruded compact state with large protruding extensioncompact state with large protruding extension Proruptions created for two reasons Proruptions created for two reasons Can provide access to a resourceCan provide access to a resource Separate two states that would otherwise share a boundarySeparate two states that would otherwise share a boundary  Problems Protruding piece might be separated from core Protruding piece might be separated from core  Examples: Congo, Namibia, Afghanistan, Thailand Congo, Namibia, Afghanistan, Thailand

Perforated States  Definition: A state that completely surrounds another one A state that completely surrounds another one “has a hole punched out”“has a hole punched out”  Problems Relationship between the perforated state and perforating state can cause tension Relationship between the perforated state and perforating state can cause tension  Example South Africa South Africa Completely surrounds state of LesothoCompletely surrounds state of Lesotho Depends entirely on South Africa for import and export of goods Depends entirely on South Africa for import and export of goods

Fragmented States  Definition: includes several discontinuous pieces of territory includes several discontinuous pieces of territory Most extreme exampleMost extreme example Indonesia Indonesia  Problems Maintaining unity Maintaining unity  Two kinds of fragmented states Those with areas separated by water Those with areas separated by water Tanzania, IndonesiaTanzania, Indonesia Those separated by an intervening state Those separated by an intervening state Angola, Russia, Panama, IndiaAngola, Russia, Panama, India

Panama  Was an example of a fragmented state until US signed a treaty with Panama turning over the canal zone to the country of Panama

Landlocked States  Lacks a direct route to the sea because it is completely surrounded by several other countries  Most common in Africa 14 countries landlocked 14 countries landlocked Remnant of colonial era Remnant of colonial era Built railroads, but now they run through several independent countriesBuilt railroads, but now they run through several independent countries  Direct access to ocean is critical for trading Must use another country’s seaport

Internal Political Organization of States  A state’s size and cultural composition are also factors in its political situation and internal organization  States are smaller in geographic size and population may be more politically unified, but not always Microstate is a very small state Microstate is a very small state Such as SingaporeSuch as Singapore Often have a unitary government structure Often have a unitary government structure  The governments of states are organized according to one of two approaches  Unitary state  Power is concentrated in the central government  Federal state  Allocates strong power to units of local government within the country

Unitary vs. Federal  Unitary state Works best in nation-states with few cultural differences Works best in nation-states with few cultural differences Strong sense of unity Strong sense of unity Requires effective communications Requires effective communications Smaller states more likely to adopt it Smaller states more likely to adopt it Common in Europe Common in Europe Some multinational states have adopted it Some multinational states have adopted it Can impose value of nationality Can impose value of nationality Kenya, Rwanda Kenya, Rwanda  Federal state Federal states have local governments that adopt their own laws Can empower nationalities in multinational states Different names States, provinces, estados Suitable for larger states United States, Russia, Canada, Brazil, India Where capital is far away Size doesn’t matter though Belgium= federal China= unitary

Confederation Structure  Definition Structure in which a weak central government exists with regional governments holding the majority of power Structure in which a weak central government exists with regional governments holding the majority of power Or a group of states united for a common purpose Or a group of states united for a common purpose Articles of Confederation was the first document binding together the 13 American coloniesArticles of Confederation was the first document binding together the 13 American colonies Confederacy during Civil WarConfederacy during Civil War

Trend toward Federal Government  In recent years there has been a strong global trend toward Federal government.  France  Good example of nation-state  Long tradition of Unitary government  Recently giving more authority to departments and communes  Poland  Switched from Unitary to Federal government after fall of Communist rule  Lack of local government led to breakdown of infrastructure  1999 adopted a three-tier system of local government  Transition difficult  Lack of experience  Thousands of positions

Political Enclaves and Exclaves  Enclaves Enclaves Territorial enclave is a state, or part of a state, surrounded completely by another state Territorial enclave is a state, or part of a state, surrounded completely by another state Lesotho is an enclave surrounded by South AfricaLesotho is an enclave surrounded by South Africa West Berlin was an enclave within the state of East GermanyWest Berlin was an enclave within the state of East Germany  Exclaves When an enclave is land that is a political extension of another state, then it is called an exclave Alaska is an exclave of the United States because it is cut off from the rest of the country by Canada