unit 4 vocab

Question 1

centripetal force

Answer 1

factors that bring people together like a common language

Question 2

federal state

Answer 2

Power is shared between national and regional governments. Like the US

Question 3

gerrymandering

Answer 3

the redrawing of legislative district boundaries in a way that benefits a particular political party or group. (cracking and packing)

Question 4

nation-sate

Answer 4

a country where the majority of the population shares a common culture, language, and identity. The political boundaries of the state match the cultural boundaries of the nation. ( Japan, Over 98% of the population is ethnically Japanese, with a shared language and culture)

Question 5

state

Answer 5

a state is a politically organized territory with a permanent population, defined borders, a government, and sovereignty (the ability to control its own affairs).

Question 6

centrifugal state

Answer 6

factors that pull people apart

Question 7

devolution

Answer 7

the process by which a central government grants more power and autonomy to regional or local governments. This can happen for political, economic, or cultural reasons, and it often leads to the creation of more localized governance structures.

Question 8

nation

Answer 8

a nation is a group of people who share a common cultural identity, often based on factors such as language, ethnicity, religion, or shared history. Unlike a state, a nation does not necessarily have political borders or sovereignty, but it often has a strong sense of unity and a desire for self-governance.

Question 9

unitary state

Answer 9

a unitary state is a country where most or all of the power is held by the central government, with little authority given to regional or local governments. In a unitary system, the central government has the primary authority to make decisions and implement policies across the entire country. (china is a unitary state)

Question 10

antecedent border

Answer 10

a type of boundary that was established before the area became heavily populated or before significant cultural landscapes were developed. This type of border is often drawn based on physical features, such as rivers, mountains, or deserts

Question 11

compact state

Answer 11

a compact state is a country that has a relatively small and centralized shape, with the capital and other regions being approximately equidistant from the center. Compact states tend to have more efficient governance and communication because of their compactness.

Question 12

fragmented state

Answer 12

a fragmented state is a country that is made up of several disconnected pieces of territory. These territories can be separated by water

Question 13

frontier

Answer 13

a frontier refers to a zone of unclaimed or uninhabited land that is not under the political control of any country or state. It is often an area of transition where borders or territorial claims are unclear, and it may be sparsely populated or undeveloped. Historically, frontiers were areas where human settlement or exploration was just beginning.

Question 14

geometric boundary

Answer 14

a geometric boundary is a type of boundary that is drawn using straight lines or other geometric shapes, rather than being based on physical or cultural features. These boundaries are often arbitrarily established and may not reflect natural landmarks or the cultural divisions of the people living in the area. (border between the US and Canada)

Question 15

heartland theory

Answer 15

The theory suggests that the central region of Eurasia, known as the Heartland, is the key to global dominance. Mackinder argued that whoever controls this area would have the ability to control the world because of its strategic location and access to resources, as well as its relative security from naval powers due to being surrounded by land.

Question 16

landlocked state

Answer 16

a country that is completely surrounded by land and has no direct access to the sea or ocean. This can limit the state’s ability to engage in international trade, as it must rely on neighboring countries’ ports for maritime shipping.

Question 17

micro state

Answer 17

a very small country or state, often with a very limited land area and population. These states typically have sovereignty, but they are significantly smaller than most other countries, both geographically and in terms of population. ( like Monaco have a population of 39,000)

Question 18

perforated state

Answer 18

(two types enclave and excalve)

An enclave is a territory that is entirely surrounded by the territory of another state.
The enclave has its own sovereignty or government but is geographically enclosed by another country. (Lesotho is an enclave within South Africa. It is an independent country but is entirely surrounded by South African territory.)

An exclave is a portion of a state’s territory that is separated from the main part of the country and is surrounded by foreign territory. An exclave is not surrounded by just one country but may be geographically disconnected and surrounded by one or more foreign nations.(Alaska is an exclave of the United States. It is separated from the contiguous 48 states and is surrounded by Canada to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.)

Question 19

prorupted state

Answer 19

The state has a main compact area with a narrow extension or protrusion. The protrusion could provide access to resources, waterways, or borders with other countries. It is different from a compact state, which has a more uniform shape without extensions. (kind of like a compact state that extended out in one direction)

Question 20

relic boundary

Answer 20

a boundary that no longer exists or is no longer in active use, but still has cultural or historical significance. These boundaries may have been established in the past and have since been erased, altered, or replaced, but they still influence the cultural landscape and the way people view or understand territory today. (The Great Wall of China: While the wall no longer functions as a political boundary, it was historically a barrier between China and northern nomadic tribes. The wall’s remnants still symbolize the cultural and historical boundary of ancient China.)

Question 21

sovereignty

Answer 21

It means that a state has the right to govern itself, make its own laws, and control its resources and political affairs without being subject to the authority of other states.

Question 22

subsequent border

Answer 22

a type of political boundary that is drawn after a population has settled in an area. These borders are typically created to reflect existing cultural, ethnic, linguistic, or religious divisions among people who already inhabit the region.

Question 23

superimposed border

Answer 23

a political boundary that is imposed on an area by an outside power, without regard for the existing cultural, ethnic, or social divisions of the people living there. These borders are typically drawn through colonialism, war, or international treaties, and they often disregard the historical or cultural relationships between local populations.

Question 24

balkanization

Answer 24

refers to the process of a region or state breaking up into smaller, often hostile or fragmented entities, typically due to ethnic, cultural, or political conflicts.

Question 25

confederated state

Answer 25

a political system in which independent states or regions join together to form a loose alliance, while maintaining most of their sovereignty and autonomy. In a confederation, the central (national) government is weak, and the majority of power remains with the individual states or regions. ( The US under the AOC was a confederation)

Question 26

elongated state

Answer 26

a country that has a long and narrow shape, meaning its length is significantly greater than its width. This shape can create challenges for communication, transportation, and governance, as different parts of the country may be far apart and difficult to reach.

Question 27

enclave

Answer 27

An enclave is a territory that is entirely surrounded by the territory of another state. The enclave has its own sovereignty or government but is geographically enclosed by another country. (Lesotho is an enclave within South Africa. It is an independent country but is entirely surrounded by South African territory.)

Question 28

European union

Answer 28

a political and economic union of 27 European countries that work together to promote economic cooperation, political stability, and regional integration. The EU allows for free movement of people, goods, services, and capital among its member states and has its own governing institutions.

Question 29

exclave

Answer 29

An exclave is a portion of a state’s territory that is separated from the main part of the country and is surrounded by foreign territory. An exclave is not surrounded by just one country but may be geographically disconnected and surrounded by one or more foreign nations.(Alaska is an exclave of the United States. It is separated from the contiguous 48 states and is surrounded by Canada to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.)

Question 30

forward capital

Answer 30

a capital city that is strategically relocated to encourage economic development, strengthen political control, or promote national unity in a different part of a country. Governments often move their capital to a less-developed or disputed region to promote growth and assert control over that area. (Brasília, Brazil – Moved from Rio de Janeiro to a central location in 1960 to promote economic development in the interior of the country.)

Question 31

nationalism

Answer 31

a political and cultural ideology that emphasizes loyalty, pride, and devotion to one's nation. It promotes the belief that a group of people with shared culture, history, language, or ethnicity should have their own independent state or government. Nationalism can unify a country but can also lead to conflicts when different nationalist movements clash.

Question 32

neo-colonialism

Answer 32

the practice of powerful countries or corporations indirectly controlling weaker, less-developed nations, often through economic, political, or cultural influence rather than direct military or political rule. (Economic dependence: Poorer countries rely on richer nations for trade, investment, or aid.)

Question 33

reapportionment

Answer 33

the process of redistributing representation in a legislative body based on population changes. In the United States, it specifically refers to the redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives after each decennial (10-year) census to ensure that each state's representation is proportional to its population.

Question 34

rimland theory

Answer 34

a geopolitical concept developed by Nicholas Spykman in 1942. It argues that the key to global power lies in controlling the coastal fringes (rimlands) of Eurasia, rather than the Heartland (this theory directly challenges the heartland theory)

Question 35

stateless nation

Answer 35

a cultural or ethnic group that does not have its own independent state and is instead spread across multiple countries, often lacking political sovereignty. (Kurds – A large ethnic group spread across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, with no independent Kurdish state.)

Question 36

territoriality

Answer 36

refers to the connection and control that people or governments have over a specific geographic area. It involves the claiming, defending, and managing of space by individuals, groups, or states.

Question 37

buffer state

Answer 37

a neutral country located between two larger, more powerful nations that may be in conflict or have rival interests. The buffer state acts as a zone of separation, helping to reduce direct tensions and prevent war between the competing powers.

Question 38

domino theory

Answer 38

a Cold War geopolitical concept that suggested if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall, like a row of dominoes. This theory was used by the United States to justify its intervention in global conflicts, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Question 39

geopolitics

Answer 39

the study of how geography, politics, and international relations influence global power and decision-making. It examines how countries compete for land, resources, and influence based on their geographic position.

Question 40

imperialism

Answer 40

the policy of extending a country's power and influence over other regions through military force, political control, or economic dominance. It often involves one nation colonizing or controlling another for resources, land, or strategic advantages.

Question 41

multinational state

Answer 41

a country that contains two or more distinct ethnic or cultural groups that recognize themselves as separate nations but share the same political boundaries. These groups may have their own languages, traditions, or histories and sometimes seek autonomy or independence.

Question 42

physical-political boundary

Answer 42

A physical-political boundary (also called a natural boundary) is a border between two areas that follows a natural landscape feature, such as a river, mountain range, or lake. These boundaries are often used to separate countries or regions and can sometimes create disputes if the physical feature changes over time.

Question 43

political geography

Answer 43

the study of how geography influences political systems, borders, and power relationships on local, national, and global scales. It examines how governments, countries, and regions interact with each other and how territorial control affects politics and society.

Question 44

super-nationalism

Answer 44

when multiple countries work together under a shared organization or agreement to achieve common goals, often giving up some national sovereignty for collective benefits. These organizations can focus on economic, political, military, or environmental cooperation.

Question 45

self determination

Answer 45

the right of a group of people to govern themselves without external control. It means that a nation, ethnic group, or region has the ability to decide its own political status, including independence, autonomy, or integration with another country.

Question 46

theocracy

Answer 46

a form of government in which religion plays a central role in the political system, and religious leaders or religious laws govern the state. In a theocracy, the government is either directly controlled by religious authorities or heavily influenced by religious principles. (like Iran)

Question 47

united nations convention on the law of the sea (UNCLOS)

Answer 47

It is an international treaty that governs the rights and responsibilities of countries regarding the use and protection of the world's oceans. The convention was adopted in 1982 and came into force in 1994.

Question 48

colonialism