1. Political Geography

2. State Interaction

3. 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

5. United Nations Peacekeepers

6. 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

8. Expansion of NATO

9. 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

13. 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

15. 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

18. Is the EU a centrifugal or centripetal force for member states?

19. Devolution in Europe

20. 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