politcal geography c8k1k2. what is political geography? political geography is concerned with the...
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POLITCAL GEOGRAPHY
C8K1K2
What is Political Geography?
• Political geography is concerned with the study of the way governments organize and administer space on Earth's surface, and especially the geographic dimensions of conflict.
• Case Study: Changing Borders in Europe
• Lorraine GE or FR• Yugoslavia• Russia
Objectives: Where are States Located?
• Problems of Defining States• Varying Size of States• Development of the State Concept
Problems of Defining States
• Rapid political change since 1940’s (50 vs 192 states)
• State/Country: political area ruled by an establish government that has control over its internal and foreign affairs (sovereignty).
Korea: One State or Two?
• Early 20th century/ Japanese colony
• After WWII: occupied by US and USSR (38th NL) 1950 Korea War.
• 50 year stalemate
China & Taiwan
• 1949 Nationalist vs Communists. Both claim legitimate Chinese state.
• 1971: US finally recognizes mainland China.
Western Sahara
• 1976 Spanish colony until Moroccan/ Mauritania independence.
• Most of Africa recognizes Polisario Front independent. Controls one fifth of the territory.
Polar Regions: Many Claim
• Antarctica is uninhabited but claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and United Kingdom. Not universally recognized.
• 1959: Antarctic Treaty = research station but not military.
Varying Size of States
• Russia: Largest state• Microstates:
Development of the State Concept• Ancient & Medieval States:
organized as city-states, kingdoms, empires, and tribes.
• Fertile Crescent: city-states: surrounded by walls
• Roman Empire: included 38 provinces
• Kingdoms: large estates controlled by lords/ kings
• Colonies: territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state
• Colonialism/ Imperialism: state controlling foreign lands politically, economically, and cultural principles. (promoted religion, extract resources/ tax, and extend power
British vs French Imperialism
• Direct: assimilation of culture. Use of French leaders to control political affairs.
• Indirect: varying gov. structures and policies for various territories. More autonomy of local culture.
• Post WWII: Most of Africa/ Asia became independent
• Today: 43 remaining colonies of indigenous pop.
K2: Why Do Boundaries Btw States Cause Problems?
• Shapes of States• Types of Boundaries• Boundaries Inside States
• Objectives
Shapes of States
• Why shapes matter? (controls boundaries with other states/ affects communication & conflict)
• Five Types: compact prorupted, elongated, fragmented, or perforated.
Five Basic Shapes of States
• Compact: evenly dispersed (circle) with central capital.
• Elongated: long and narrow• Prorupted: disrupted usually to
give access• Perforated: state completely
surrounded by another state• Fragmented: state interrupted
1) by bodies of water. 2) by another state
• * Landlocked States: no direct outlet to sea/ ocean (mostly found in Africa
Types of Boundaries
• Physical: desert, mountain, water
• Cultural: geometric (straight lines) & differences such as language, ethnicity, religion
• Frontiers: space where no state exercises complete political control (Saudi & neighbors
Boundaries Inside States
• Separate different nationalities or ethnicities (self-determination within single state)
• Unitary state: most power in the hands of central government (France)
• France: 96 elected general council but it’s administrative head is a prefet (appointed by national gov. rather than local people)
Trend Toward Federal Government
• Federal states: allocates strong power to local government (USA)
• Poland: restructured from unitary to federal after collapse of communism.
• Electoral Geography: boundaries separating legislative districts.
• Gerrymandering: redrawn to benefit a particular group