Introduction to Political Geography

Introduction to Political Geography Objectives a. Define the different types of political entities. b. Identify a contemporary example of political entities. PSO-4.A.1 Independent states are the primary building blocks of the world political map. PSO-4.A.2 Types of political entities include nations, nation-states, stateless nations, multinational states, multistate nations, and autonomous and semi-autonomous regions, such as American Indian reservations. Learning Objective: For world political maps: 1) Define the different types of political entities. 2) Identify a contemporary example of political entities. Pages 309-316 in Red Textbook Module 25 terms to know Political geography Political map State/Country Independent state Sovereign state definitions and descriptions nation nation-state Nation-state ideal nationalism Stateless nation Multinational state Multistate nations Autonomous region Semi-Autonomous region Introduction To Political Geography States & Nations 1. What does a state consist of? Defined area, a permanent population, government, sovereignty, recognized by other states. 2. What does it mean for a state to have sovereignty? The government has control over its domestic affairs and also international affairs. 3. Explain how a nation differs from a state. A state references a government and land, while a nation references a group of people with a shared culture and history. 4. Define self-determination. Right or desire of a nation, or a group of people, to govern themselves. Political Entities 1. What is a nation-state? A sovereign state that has a homogenous population that has a shared language, culture, and history. Ex: Iceland or Japan 2. Describe two characteristics of a nation-state. - Isolated in history - geographically smaller, centered around one nation 3. Identify an example of a nation-state. Japan, Iceland, Denmark 4. What is a multinational state? A state that has more than one nation within its borders. 5. Describe two characteristics of a multinational state. - One cultural group that is the dominant group and is in control over the political economic and social structures of the state 6. Identify an example of a multinational state. Soviet Union modern-day Russia and the United States 7. What is a multistate nation? A nation that has a state of its own, but also resides in other states. Political Entities 8. Identify an example of a multistate nation. North Korea and South Korea, Kurds 9. Explain the concept of a stateless nation. A group of people or a nation that doesn't have its own independent country. 10. Describe why the Kurds are an example of a stateless nation. They don’t have any land that is legally theirs. 11. Identify two other examples of a stateless nation. Basques, Flemish, Catalonians, Palestinians Political Entities: Regions 1. What is an autonomous region? A geographic area that is located within a state and has a high degree of autonomy from a state. 2. What are the two characteristics of an autonomous region? Can govern themselves, a high degree of freedom 3. Identify an example of an autonomous region. Native American reservations in America 4. What is a semi-autonomous region? A geographic region that is controlled by another state, but only has a moderate degree of self-governance. 5. What are two characteristics of a semi-autonomous region? Semi-autonomous regions have less control over their policy 6. Identify an example of a semi-autonomous region. China and Hong Kong 7. Explain the difference between an autonomous and semi-autonomous region. Control and Power 8. What is a city-state? A sovereign state with political and economic control over the surronding countryside