Political Divisions

WORLD GEOGRAPHY

Essential Questions

What are some examples of political divisions at the local and regional levels?What are some reasons for political divisions at the local and regional levels?How do political divisions generate conflicts?

Essential Questions

Why do political divisions cooperate?

What are some examples of political divisions are the national and international levels?

Examples of Political Divisions

Neighborhoods

Election districts

School districts

Regional districts

Cities

Counties

States

Reasons for Divisions

Desire for government closer to home

Need to solve local problems

Need to administer resources more efficiently

Reasons for Conflict

Boundary disputes

Cultural differences

Economic differences

Competition for scarce resources

Political advantages (gerrymandering)

Reasons for Cooperation

Natural disasters

Economic advantages

Cultural similarities

Addressing regional issues

International Political Divisions

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

European Union

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

North American Free Trade Agreements

United Nations

International Political Divisions

Organization of American States

League of Arab States

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

African Union

NATO

A political alliance of 26 countries from Europe and North America thathas pledged to safeguard freedom and democracy.

Key members: United States, France, Britain, Germany

EU

An economic and political union of 27democratic European countries. It introduced a common currency called the Euro.

OPEC

OPEC sets the price and production of oil for member countries. Key members are Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and UAE.

NAFTA

NAFTA is a trade agreement that was signed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAFTA eliminated most tariffs between the three members creating a free trade zone.

United Nations

192/195 nations are members of the United Nations. The purpose of the UN is to promote world peace and security.

OAS

The OAS is a political union thatincludes all 35 countries in NorthAnd South America.

League of Arab States

The League of Arab States is composed of countries that are Muslim and speak Arabic.

ASEAN

ASEAN is an economicorganization in SoutheastAsia.

African Union

The African Union is a politicalorganization in Africa.

Reasons for Political Divisions

Differences in culture, language, religion

Retention of historical boundaries

Imperial conquest and control

Economic similarities and differences

Reasons for Conflict

Boundary and territorial disputes

Examples: Syria/Israel, Western Sahara/Morocco, China/Taiwan, and India/Pakistan

Cultural differences - Indonesia, Canada, Sudan

Nationalism

Reasons for Conflict

Economic differences (fertile land, access to fresh water, access to coast, fishing rights, natural resources, different economic philosophies)

Ethnic differences - Balkans, Cyprus, Kashmir

Examples of Cooperation

Red Cross/Red Crescent

Law of the Sea

Antarctica Treaty/UN peacekeepers

Peace Corps

Alliances for environmental preservation

Foreign aid