1. State Nation Essential Political Geography concepts a political unit
a cultural unit
based on Latin status – “to stand”
independent country
defined boundaries
internationally recognized
sovereignty over land and
people within boundaries
gray areas, including colonies
based on Latin natio – “birth”
ethnic identity
common ancestry
(mythical or actual);
common religion (usually)
and/or language;
accepted ways of behavior
political aspirations
has a homeland
(“the sacred soil”)
DISCUSSION:
* What are some examples of "nations"?
* In what way is or is not the United States a "nation"?

2. “Nationalism” can take several forms
“Ethnic nationalism” – pride of nation based on group identification with specific culture or
“Civic nationalism” – pride of nation based on government system or political ideals that transcends ethnicity
How do multi-ethnic or multi-nation states promote a sense of national identity?
Is there a downside with fostering nationalism?

3. The geography of nations and states
Situation 1 – Nation-State Model - close match between political sovereignty and extent of a nation’s homeland
Situation 2 –
Multi-nation State
Political unit with two + national homelands – may lead to ethnonationalism and stages of political fragmentation: separatism, devolution, or secession
Situation 3 –
Multi-state Nation
Cultural unit (homeland) exists across the boundaries of more than one political unit – may lead to irredentism: political goal to unify a nation across existing state borders
DISCUSSION:
* What are some examples of multi-state nations around the world?
* What are some examples of multi-nation states around the world?
Situation 4 - Stateless Nation – a nation (with political aspirations) without sovereignty over its homeland

4. Boundary of former Turkish (Ottoman) Empire
Empires often divided peoples to maintain control over ethnic-minority regions
Mismatch between “state” and “nation” in Central Asia – borders drawn by Russian and British Empires

5. Strategies used by multi-nation states for unifying countries (“nation-building”)
1. Maintain central control
Dominant group (political core) doesn’t grant any political autonomy to ethnic regions
Examples: Yugoslavia under Tito, UK prior to Irish independence, Iraq under Saddam
2. Devolution
Peripheral ethnic regions pressure core group for local control = sharing of some power by the core (dominant) group with the ethnic-minority region
Examples: Spain (Basques, Catalans), Belgium (Walloons, Flemish)

6. Scotland has own Parliament for its local affairs
Devolution in the UK
Efforts at greater local control from a core nation’s political dominance
Scotland has own Parliament for its local affairs
Northern Ireland trying to establish multiparty Parliament since (Stormont Parliament)
Rep. of Ireland (Eire) split from English control completely in 1922
London

7. Political Fragmentation
What if devolution fails to unify a State?
Separatism
Independence movements in peripheral ethnic regions – seek to break free from core’s domination
Examples?
Secession
Fragmenting of multi-nation state into smaller states as local ethnic regions gain independence – may lead to “balkanization” – fragmentation into small states that may not be viable

8. CZECHOSLOVAKIA (BORDERS FROM 1919 TO 1992)
Fragmentation -Czechoslovakia split in 1993: one multi-nation state
became two nation-states
CZECH REPUBLIC
Population: 10,200,000
Ethnicities
Czech & Moravian 95%
Slovak 3%
All others 2%
CZECHOSLOVAKIA (data before separation in 1993)
Total population: 15,600,000
Ethnicities
Czech & Moravian 62% Hungarian 4%
Slovak 32% All others 2%
SLOVAKIA
Population: 5,400,000
Ethnicities
Slovak 86%
Hungarian 11%
All others 3%

9. Singapore split from Malaysia in 1965
Pop. GNI/PPP Ethnicity
Singapore $ 26,590 77% Chinese
Malaysia 26.1 $ 9,630 60% Malay
SINGAPORE
MALAYSIA

10. Successor states to the former Soviet Union (15 countries)
Russia 142 million
Ukraine 47 million
Uzbekistan 26 million
Total of 12 others 70 million

11. Russian Federation: still a multi-nation state, with designated “internal ethnic republics”
Chechnya: Internal ethnic republic in Russia - mostly Muslim; declared independence in 1994 – led to devastating war

12. Fragmenting of the former Yugoslavia into six countries (so far)
Serbia
Croatia
Slovenia
Bosnia - Herzegovina
Macedonia
Montenegro

13. Separatist Flashpoints in Indonesia
Aceh
Moluccas
West Papua
East Timor
Separatist Flashpoints in Indonesia
(East Timor gained independence in 2002)

14. Ethnically diverse, not unified Burmese are politically dominant
Core area (Irrawaddy River valley)
Myanmar (Burma)
Ethnically diverse, not unified
Karenni kids
Burmese are politically dominant
Peripheries (mountainous)

15. Irredentism Ethnic Cleansing
Nations of Southeastern & Central Europe
Irredentism
Cross-border political movement: a nation divided by int’l borders seeks to unify and control all of its land in one state
Examples: Irish, Serbs, Albanians, Hungarians, Germans (pre-WW2)
Ethnic Cleansing
Political strategy by a dominant group to forcibly remove ethnic minorities from within its state boundaries

16. EU Flag and Flags of Its Member States
Since 1980s - Europe has had 15+ new countries created by ethnic nationalism
Since 1950s - Also has been project to increase economic & political integration – an example of concept of “supranationalism”
EU Flag and Flags of Its Member States
(as of 2006)

17. Supranationalism = cooperation (economic, political, military) among several countries for mutual benefit

18. 12 newest members joined 2004-2007
Some key elements in EU integration
Free trade among member states
Remove barriers to movement of labor & capital
Uniform fiscal & environmental policies
EU Members
15 members joined
12 newest members joined
Candidate
countries

19. Belfast Northern Ireland, UK
Case Study – The intersection of cultural and political geography
A “Peace Fence”
photo by Cass Vitale

20. Northern Ireland — Basic Data
2001 Census Data
Population: 1.7 million
(compare Colorado – 4.5 million)
Land area: 5,450 sq. miles
(about same as Connecticut)
Largest cities: Belfast: about 300,000, Londonderry (Derry): about 100,000
Compare Rep. of Ireland (Eire) and UK as a whole
Ireland Pop GNI/PPP per cap Largest cities (country is 60% urban)
4.2 million $34,720 Dublin (1+ million); Cork (300,000)
UK Pop GNI/PPP per cap Largest cities (country is 89% urban):
60.5 million $32,690 London (8+ million); Manchester, Birmingham (2.5 million ea)

21. Ancient Irish Kingdoms
The name “Ulster” is still used, more or less synonymously with Northern Ireland.
Traditional Ulster also included Donegal and other counties that didn’t stay in UK after 1922 creation of the Irish Free State (now Rep. of Ireland).

22. Scottish Plantations, early 17th century
Map shows 9 counties of Ulster. Scottish settlement greatest in Antrim & Down, counties nearest Scotland.
English and Scottish plantations (guild-ownership of land) set up in other counties.
Most settlers were Scottish Presbyterian or English Anglicans, so religious geography of Ulster changed from mostly Catholic to mostly Protestant.

23. 17th century fortification
Dunluce Castle, along coast road to Bushmills
20th century fortification
PSNI Station, Portstewart
Photos by Phil Klein, 2005

24. The Troubles (since 1969)
Sectarian violence – Catholic Nationalists (Republicans) vs. Protestant Unionists (Loyalists) – over 3,000 killed since ‘69
Paramilitary organizations (IRA, UDA, others) on both sides; ties to organized crime and gangs
Conflict over access to economic development – jobs, housing, education – discrimination against Catholics
Peace process gains momentum during economic boom of 1990s – a multi-party Northern Irish parliament is proposed
Revived tensions since Breakthrough in March 2007?

25. (London) Derry, Northern Ireland – contested space

26. Londonderry town walls (overlooking Bogside)

27. (Catholic neighborhood)
Bogside
(Catholic neighborhood)

28. Murals along the Falls Road neighborhood, Belfast
(IRA stronghold)

29. Religions in Northern Ireland Today – A “Divided Society”
Map shows religious segregation by local districts
Total (2001 census)
Protestants
760,000 (46%)
Catholics
680,000 (40%)
Others/Non-religious
240,000 (14%)

30. Religious segregation, mapped at ward level (2001)
Ballycastle
Coleraine
Derry
Belfast
Source: CAIN

31. Belfast Neighbourhoods

32. County Donegal: in historic Ulster, but part of the Rep. of Ireland
Village near Glenveigh Nat’l Park
County Donegal: in historic Ulster,
but part of the Rep. of Ireland
Mt. Errigal
Old and new homes, Donegal countryside