Vocabulary #4 | 4

Question 1

Nation

Answer 1

A group of people bound together by some sense of a common culture, ethnicity, language, shared history, and attachment to a homeland.

Question 2

Nation-State

Answer 2

A political entity where the boundaries of a nation closely align with the borders of a state (a politically defined territory with a sovereign government).

Question 3

Stateless Nation

Answer 3

A group of people who share a common culture and identity as a nation, but do not have their own sovereign state.

Question 4

Multinational States

Answer 4

A sovereign state that contains multiple distinct nations or ethnic groups within its borders.

Question 5

Autonomous Region

Answer 5

A geographical area within a country that has a degree of self-governance.

Question 6

Semi-Autonomous Region

Answer 6

A geographical area within a larger state that has a degree of self-governance.

Question 7

Sovereignty

Answer 7

The political authority of a state to govern itself.

Question 8

Self-Determination

Answer 8

The principle that a group of people, usually sharing a common identity like ethnicity or language, have the right to decide their own political status and form their own state, essentially choosing their own government and path of development without external control.

Question 9

Colonialism

Answer 9

The processes by which one nation exercises near complete control over another country which they have settled and taken over.

Question 10

Devolution

Answer 10

The movement of power from the central government to regional governments within the state or breakup of a large state into several independent ones.

Question 11

Imperialism

Answer 11

Forceful extension of a nation’s political and economic power over other nations, often through military conquest or establishing political and economic domination, allowing the dominant country to gain control over other territories and exploit their resources, even if not directly establishing colonies there

Question 12

Territoriality

Answer 12

The act of a group or individual claiming, defining, and defending a specific geographic space as their own.

Question 13

Neocolonialism

Answer 13

The practice of using economic, political, and cultural pressures to control or influence countries, especially those that were formerly colonized, without direct military or political intervention.

Question 14

Shatterbelts

Answer 14

A geographical region that is endangered by local conflicts within the states or between countries in the region, as well as the involvement of opposing great powers outside the region.

Question 15

Choke Points

Answer 15

Geographic locations where the flow of people and goods can be constricted and choked off in the event of a conflict.

Question 16

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Answer 16

A geographically defined area where military activity is prohibited by treaty or agreement between nations.

Question 17

Berlin Confernce

Answer 17

A meeting held in 1884-1885 where European powers divided the African continent amongst themselves, establishing colonial boundaries without regard for existing African ethnicities or political structures.

Question 18

Maritime Boundary

Answer 18

An invisible line drawn on the ocean surface that defines the limits of a country’s jurisdiction over the sea.

Question 19

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Answer 19

An international treaty that establishes a legal framework for all maritime activities, defining the rights and responsibilities of nations regarding the oceans, including territorial waters, exclusive economic zones, and the high seas, essentially outlining how countries can utilize and manage ocean resources while minimizing conflict.

Question 20

Exclusive Economic Zone

Answer 20

A maritime zone extending up to 200 nautical miles from a coastal state’s baseline.

Question 21

Voting Districts

Answer 21

Specific geographic areas defined for the purpose of electing representatives to government bodies.

Question 22

Redistricting

Answer 22

The process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts to reflect changes in population and ensure fair representation.

Question 23

Gerrymandering

Answer 23

The practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Question 24

Ferderal State

Answer 24

A political system where power is divided between a central government and various regional governments.

Question 25

Unitary State

Answer 25

A state where laws are administered uniformly by one central government.

Question 26

Ethnic Separatism

Answer 26

The political process of an ethnic nation breaking away or attempting to break away from a state, to gain greater autonomy, form its own state, or join a neighboring state.

Question 27

Ethnic Cleansing

Answer 27

Systematic removal or extermination of an ethnic group from a particular territory, often through violent means.

Question 28

Terrorism

Answer 28

The deliberate use of violence or the threat of violence, often against civilians, by individuals or groups to achieve political, ideological, or social goals.

Question 29

Irredentism

Answer 29

A political movement where a country claims territory from a neighboring state based on the argument that a significant population within that territory shares the same ethnicity or national identity as the claiming country.

Question 30

Supernationalism

Answer 30

Excessive pride or attachment to one's country

Question 31

Democratization

Answer 31

The process of a country transitioning from an authoritarian government to a more democratic system.

Question 32

Economies of Scale

Answer 32

The reduction in the per unit cost of production as the volume of production increases.

Question 33

United Nations

Answer 33

An international organization composed of member states that aims to promote global peace and security, working to resolve international conflicts, and cooperate on issues like development, humanitarian aid, and human rights.

Question 34

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Answer 34

A military alliance between countries primarily from North America and Europe, established to provide collective security against threats, most notably initially against the Soviet Union during the Cold War

Question 35

European Union (EU)

Answer 35

A political and economic union of 27 European countries that are committed to promoting integration and cooperation among its member states.

Question 36

Brexit

Answer 36

When the people of the United Kingdom voted to officially leave the European Union. (Brexit + British-Exit)

Question 37

Stateless Nation

Answer 37

A group of people who share a common culture, language, and identity but do not have their own sovereign state.

Question 38

Ethonationalism

Answer 38

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a specific ethnic group.

Question 39

Infrastructure

Answer 39

The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society, including transportation systems, water supply, and communication networks.

Question 40

Centripetal

Answer 40

A factor that unites people within a state, creating a sense of national identity and cohesion, essentially pulling people together and strengthening the stability of a country. (Petal like how the petals of a flower connect inward.)

Question 41

Centrifugal Forces

Answer 41

A force that tends to pull a state or society apart, creating divisions and potentially leading to regionalism or even the breakup of a country. (Fugal like frugal, poverty being a centrifugal force itself.)