Political Geography

What have the Romans ever done for US????

Nature and Significance of Political Boundaries
Political Geography - is the study of the organization and distribution of political phenomena,
including their impact on other spatial components of society and culture.
Ways of Conceptualizing Territory National Political Systems
A. State - an independent political unit occupying a defined, permanently populated territory and
having full sovereign control over its internal and foreign affairs.

B. Nation - a group of people with a common culture occupying a particular

territory, bound together by a strong sense of unity arising from shared beliefs and
customs.

C. Nation-State - an ideal form consisting of a homogeneous group governed by

their own state. Very few states are true nation-states, because most states contain
minority peoples who belong to another nation. (Ex. Denmark and Japan)

D. Stateless political Units - A people without a state. (Ex. The Kurds, Basques,
and Palestinians).

E. Multinational States - A state that contains more than one nation. (Ex.
Canada)

F. Part-Nation State - A single nation dispersed across and predominant in two or

more states. (Ex. The Arab Nation)

Influence of Political Boundaries on Identity and Political Representation

1. Types of boundaries

GEOMETRIC

Straight line boundaries

Totally unrelated to any aspects of the cultural or physical landscape.

CULTURAL-POLITICAL

Mark breaks in the human landscape

CULTURAL-POLITICAL

Mark breaks in the human landscape

PHYSICAL-POLITICAL

Conform to physiographic features in the landscape such as rivers or mountain

ranges
(natural boundaries)

PHYSICAL-POLITICAL
China sees Tibet as part of its territory b/c it is north of the Himalayas, thus w/in the
natural boundary of China
2. Origin Based classifications

Antecedent :

Boundary formed before present-day human landscape developed

Can be seen on population maps

Subsequent

These are installed after settlement - but take account of

cultural/ethnic/religious/language differences. Some conflict - but minimized

Shows a long process of boundary mods

SUPERIMPOSED

Forcibly drawn across a unified landscape

Installed after settlement with no regard to culture. colonial boundaries and
truce lines

Landlocked states

A state that lacks a sea coast, faces locational challenges regarding sea access
for trade, eco/resource issues.

Relic - boundaries that are not currently relevant but have been in the past - and
have important cultural/social implications.
3. Territorial Morphology - Geographic characteristics of states

Size - Large states have a greater chance for natural resources. However, very
large states may have vast areas that are remote, sparsely populated, and hard to
integrate into the mainstream of economy and society.

Size alone is not critical in determining a country's stability and strength, but it
is a contributing factor.

Small states are more apt to have a culturally homogeneous population.

a. Giant State - The eight states with an area of more than 1 million square miles.
b. Microstate - A state with an area of less than 1,000 square miles.
4. Core areas and Capitals

A. Core Areas - The heartland or nucleus of a state, containing its most

developed areas, greatest wealth, densest population and clearest national identity

B. Capitals - The capital city of a state is usually within the core area and
dominant because it is the seat of central authority, concentration of population and
economic functions. In many countries the capital is the largest or primate city of a
state as well.
5. Unitary and Federal States and Regionalism

A. Unitary - Countries with highly centralized governments, few internal cultural

contrasts, strong sense of national identity and borders that are clearly cultural as well
as political. (Ex. Sweden)

B. Federal - A state with a two tiered system of government and a clear

distinction between the powers vested in the central government and those residing in
the governments of the component regional subdivisions. (Ex. USA)

C. Regionalism - The consciousness and loyalty to a region considered distinct

and different from the state as a whole by those who occupy it.

6.

International and Frontier Zones

A. International Boundary - The outer limit of a states claim to land or water surface, projected
downward to the center of the Earth and upward to the height the state can effectively control.

Frontier Zone - A belt lying between two states or between settled and
uninhabited or sparsely settled areas. (Ex. Arabian peninsula)

Political Geography/GEOPOLITICS
The seven laws of state growth are:

1. The space of the state grows with the expansion of the population having the
same culture.

2. Territorial growth follows other aspects of development.

3. A state grows by absorbing smaller units.

4. The frontier is the peripheral organ of the state that reflects the strength and
growth of the state; hence it is not permanent.

5. States in the course of their growth seek to absorb politically valuable

territory.

6. The impetus for growth comes to a primitive state from a more highly
developed civilization.

7. The trend toward territorial growth is contagious and increases in the process
of transmission.
THEORIESOrganic state > Friedrich Ratzel
The state is an organism conforming to natural laws and forced to grow & expand into new territories in
order to secure resources needed for survival.
An Environmental Determinist also
Heartland Theory - Halford Mackinder
World power is based on the assumption that the land based state controlling the EURASIAN heartland
has the key to world domination.
Rimland Theory - Spykman
The state controlling the area AROUND the area surrounding the Eurasian heartland
has the key to world domination.
Sea Power Theory

Alfred Mahan, US
Who ever controls the seas, controls the world,

Interested in maritime (sea) boundaries

British as an example > they controlled world commerce
Domino Theory
1st applied during the Cold War.

Was applied to E. Europe, Vietnam, Cuba.

Shapes of territories
Can affect a state by fostering or hindering effective organization.
Prorupt - A state that is nearly compact but possess one or two narrow extensions of territory, which
isolates a portion of the state.

Elongated A state whose territory is long and narrow. The least efficient shape
administratively. It may sacrifice national cohesion to promote eco strength.

Fragmented Entirely made up of islands or terr. Is separated by another state.

Contains isolated parts, separate and discontinuous.

Perforated - A state that completely surrounds a territory that it does not rule.
That area is called an enclave and it may be independent or part of another state.
(Enclaves are territorial outliers located inside another state.)
SUPRANATIONALISM >> cooperation over conflict
Supranationalism.

A supranational organization is one in which member states surrender power in specific

areas to a higher organization.

Decisions made by a supranational organization must be obeyed by the member states.

Often there are courts to determine when violations have occurred, although frequently
enforcement mechanisms are not as effective as they are within nation-states.

Many supranatl orgs are economic but can have political or military aspects
such as EU, NATO
Examples of supranationalism

European Union, ASEAN Association of SE Asian Nations

NAFTA first trade agreement b/t Ped and Ping* countries

Supranationalism as more countries cooperate politically and economically,

conflict is reduced on a local, regional and global scale.
Spatial analysis of Supranationalism

Usually found in w/in regions

Some groups are more global

The Future of Supranationalism

------- Issues------
Supranational groups may devolve, fall apart like Yugoslavia
The EU member states have failed to approve a constitution because of internal
issues
The Future of Supranationalism and globalism
EU
1957: The European Community or EC was created in western Europe.

> Open to all democratic countries in Europe.

> Eventually this group became the EEC and then the EU.

ADVANTAGES
+ No tariffs/import taxes on EU produced products going to EU countries

No tariffs = lower prices

= More sales = higher profits = Higher standard of
living for all EU members

+ Common Passport

+ Common currency

ULTIMATE GOALS OF EU

+ Universal voting
= Everyone in the EU is happier!

Political union > A United States of Europe with a constitution, etc - a

constitution was voted down in Oct 05!

Common currency

Common military policy

>

Common eco policy/integration

Membership requirements

1. Stable Democracy

Human rights are protected

Rule of Law is recognized

Protection for minorities

2. Market economy in place

Infrastructure functioning

Stable eco

3. Agree to adopt common rules of EU

Devolution issues
One of the concerns (of member countries and potential members) is the loss of individual
culture or identity.
This is highlighted by EU rules for local foods and
production that are designed to make
Europe more homogeneous.
Examples of this would be the Slovokian
cucumbers or Hungarian sausages, and a
specific definition for chocolate!
DISADVANTAGES
of
1.
Increased economic competition between member nations

membership

2.
No protection for local industries (E Europe was used to this under
communism)

3.

Possible unemployment in certain industries

4. Loss of national identity

OBSTACLES TO EXPANSION for Eastern European nations

Language issues

different customs than W. Europe

history of war amongst selves

Strong national unity

unstable governments

low standard of living

Poor infrastructure

Not acquainted with a market economy b/c of 70 years of communism

Obstacles to complete unification
History of hostilities
(France vs. Germany, Germany vs. Russia, UK vs. France..)
Pride in own culture

 Nationalism that nasty habit of being proud of your heritage.

Costs of unification

Core areas and Capitals

A. Core Areas - The heartland or nucleus of a state, containing its most
developed areas, greatest wealth, densest population and clearest
national identity. (Ex. Paris)
Core areas and Capitals
B. Capitals - The capital city of a state is usually within the core area and
dominant because it is the seat of central authority, concentration of
population and economic functions. In many countries the capital is the
largest or primate city of a state as well.
International and Frontier Zones
A. International Boundary - The outer limit of a states claim to land or water surface, projected
downward to the center of the Earth and upward to the height the state can effectively control.

Frontier Zone - A belt lying between two states or between settled and
uninhabited or sparsely settled areas. (Ex. Arabian peninsula)

PAKISTAN > Creating a FORWARD CAPITAL

How a nation chooses the location of its capital city involves several factors.
THE PURPOSES OF A CAPITAL CITY
Seat of government
TYPES OF CAPITALS
P = PERMANENT / HISTORICAL
D = DIVIDED
This type of system splits the administrative functions of a capital city among 2 or
more cities.
R = RELOCATED
This is a capital that has been moved from its original location for a variety of
reasons including territory control and population expansion.
Forward Capital
"A symbolic relocation of a capital city to a geographically or demographically
peripheral location may be for either economic or strategic reasons
Relocating Pakistans capital
Original site > Karachi, then Rawalpindi
Current capital >
ISLAMABAD
(Not the best location)
Why would Pakistan relocate AWAY from the coast, in the interior, etc.

Map of British India

The Organic State Theory
States must grow to keep their power so the British Empire grew into South Asia
In 1947 when India became independent from the British Empire there were many
Hindus and Muslims in India.
Conflicts in India
> The country was split into 2 separate countries because of the conflicts between
the 2 groups.
India gave land in the west and east to the new Muslim nation of East and West
Pakistan 1 country
This was one of the largest voluntary migrations in history.
In 1971 East Pakistan split away from West Pakistan (with the help of India) and
formed the country of Bangladesh.
Conflict in South Asia
KASHMIR
Recorded history goes back as far as 2000 B.C.
For 75% of its history, Kashmir has been an independent state.
Hindus ruled the area until the 1300s
The Mughal/Mohgal Empire (Muslims) ruled from 1500s to 1700s
Afghans ruled until the 1800s

Unitary and Federal States and Regionalism

Unitary - Countries with highly centralized governments, few internal
cultural contrasts, strong sense of national identity and borders that are
clearly cultural as well as political. (Ex. Sweden)
Unitary and Federal States and Regionalism
Federal - A state with a two tiered system of government and a clear
distinction between the powers vested in the central government and
those residing in the governments of the component regional subdivisions.
(Ex. USA)
Devolution and Regionalism
Joel Garreaus The Nine Nations of North America
Unitary and Federal States and Regionalism
C. Regionalism - The consciousness and loyalty to a region considered
distinct and different from the state as a whole by those who occupy it.
Establishment of Canada
Early discoveries were by the Vikings and the British, but the French came
and stayed.
The French establish early colonies based on fishing.
The British came to the Americas too..for freedom!
French lose the
Seven Years/French and Indian War
and this impacts these lands
The British win the French and Indian War (go figure.)
Acadians who refuse to swear allegiance to England are banished.

They move to the Ohio River Valley and further south to modern Louisiana become
the Cajuns

Treaty of Paris ends the war and the British have control over territories in
N.Am.
Subregions of Canada
Atlantic Provinces
Marked by rugged terrain and severe weather
Small population centered on the coast
Economy centered on logging, fishing, and mining
Core Provinces
Considered the heartland of Canada
Where most of the countrys population is centered (40%)
Ottawa is centered between the 2 provinces

 Canadas economic powerhouse(70% manufacturing)

Prairie Provinces
Canadas Breadbasket
Economy based on agriculture and mining
Culturally diverse - European and Asian immigrants
Pacific Provinces and Territories
Subregion divided between British Columbia and the Territories
Mostly unspoiled wilderness
Contains much of Canadas First Nations peoples
Devolution and Regionalism in Canada
Quebec leads Canada in urbanization and industrialization!
Quebec is motivated to separate!
In the 1960s, the French of Quebec took steps to become independent.
Feeling the rest of the country was harming Quebecs economy, many called for
an end to ties to the rest of Canada.
1969 English and French are both adopted as official languages of Canada.
1974 French became the official language of Quebec.
Changes in Quebec
1976..
Elections strengthen the movement.
English is restricted in the schools, French imposed as the language of govt and
business. (English in schools reverts in 1984).
Separatism no longer is an economic issueit becomes a cultural issue.
The Conflict Continues
A number of elections have been held to secede from Canadavoters have
narrowly rejected this. The last was in 1995.
The subject has been tabled, but far from forgotten!!
For and Against Separatism
For
Distinct economy, language, and culture
Desire independence
Forcibly joined to English Canada
Seek consent of the governed
Has the 16th largest economy in the world
Against
No province can just secede
Will destroy national interests
20% are anglophone or English heritage/speaking wheres their voice?
Alone, Quebec will lose its economic power/political strength

Political Development in Africa

difficult at best
Victoria Falls shallowness and cataracts make
African rivers hard to navigate/sail on.
Mt. Kilimanjaro, an ancient volcano The worlds largest free standing mountain
Cape of Good Hope difficult to navigate b/c of storms from Antarctica
Why Africa was important to Europeans refueling stop, resources, etc
Africa Many cultures, lots of issues to deal with!
Africas ancient kingdoms note location of Timbuktu, Great Zimbabwe, Benin
Bronze artwork from Benin
evidence of an ancient civilization
The famous mud mosque of Mali built and rebuilt each day
Evidence of Egyptian culture/civilization CyFalls fits inside the Great Pyramid!
Great Zimbabwe in southern Africa
Slave trade routes note eastern, northern routes also
Goree Island
West Africas center for slave trade
Africas borders changed by Europeans
Africa today
deforested, desertified, carved up politically