| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| centrifugal forces | Cultural, political, or economic factors that divide and weaken cohesion within a region or nation. |
| centripetal forces | Cultural, political, or economic factors that unite and strengthen cohesion within a region or nation. |
| cultural cohesion | The degree to which shared values, traditions, and identity bind people together within a state. |
| ethnic nationalist movements | Political movements driven by ethnic groups seeking autonomy, independence, or greater political representation based on shared cultural identity. |
| ethnonationalism | A form of nationalism based on shared ethnicity or cultural identity that can promote state unity or, conversely, lead to conflict. |
| failed states | States that are unable to perform basic functions of government and maintain control over their territory. |
| stateless nation | Groups of people with a shared national identity who do not have their own independent state and are dispersed across multiple countries. |
| uneven development | Unequal distribution of economic growth and infrastructure across different regions within a state. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| autonomous region | Territories within a state that have some degree of self-governance and control over local affairs while remaining part of the larger political entity. |
| independent states | Sovereign political entities that exercise self-governance and are recognized as the primary units on the world political map. |
| multinational states | Political entities containing multiple distinct nations or ethnic groups within their borders. |
| multistate nations | A single nation or ethnic group whose population is divided across multiple independent states. |
| nation-states | Political entities in which the boundaries of the state align with the territory of a nation, creating a close match between political and cultural identity. |
| nations | Groups of people united by common cultural, ethnic, linguistic, or historical identity, which may or may not have their own independent state. |
| political entities | Distinct territorial units with defined boundaries and political organization, including states, nations, and autonomous regions. |
| semiautonomous regions | Territories with limited self-governance that retain significant control by the central state government. |
| stateless nation | Groups of people with a shared national identity who do not have their own independent state and are dispersed across multiple countries. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| colonialism | The practice of establishing political and economic control over distant territories and their populations, typically involving settlement and resource extraction. |
| devolution | The transfer of political power and authority from a central government to regional or local governments. |
| imperialism | The policy or practice of extending a country's power and influence over other territories and peoples through military, political, or economic means. |
| independence movements | Organized efforts by colonized or subjugated peoples to achieve political autonomy and self-governance. |
| nation-states | Political entities in which the boundaries of the state align with the territory of a nation, creating a close match between political and cultural identity. |
| political boundaries | Lines that divide territory and establish the limits of political jurisdiction and sovereignty between states or political entities. |
| self-determination | The right of a people to choose their own form of government and determine their political status without external control. |
| sovereignty | The authority of a state to govern itself and make independent decisions without external interference. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| choke points | Strategic geographic locations that control access to important resources, trade routes, or regions, giving political and economic power to those who control them. |
| neocolonialism | The practice of using economic, political, or cultural pressure to control or influence other countries, rather than direct military force or political control. |
| political power | The ability to exercise control over people, land, and resources in a geographic area. |
| shatterbelts | Regions of geopolitical tension and conflict where the control and influence of major powers compete, often resulting in political fragmentation. |
| territoriality | The connection of people, their culture, and their economic systems to a specific land or territory. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| antecedent boundaries | Political boundaries that are established before significant settlement and development of an area, often following physical features like rivers or mountains. |
| consequent boundaries | Political boundaries that are drawn to separate different cultural, ethnic, or religious groups after they have already settled in an area. |
| geometric boundaries | Political boundaries that follow straight lines or other geometric patterns, often determined by latitude, longitude, or mathematical calculations rather than physical or cultural features. |
| political boundaries | Lines that divide territory and establish the limits of political jurisdiction and sovereignty between states or political entities. |
| relic boundaries | Political boundaries that no longer function as international borders but remain visible in the cultural or physical landscape. |
| subsequent boundaries | Political boundaries that are established after the settlement and development of an area, often following cultural or ethnic divisions. |
| superimposed boundaries | Political boundaries that are imposed on an area by external powers, often ignoring existing cultural, ethnic, or physical features. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Berlin Conference | A 1884-1885 conference where European powers negotiated the division of Africa, establishing boundaries through policy rather than natural features. |
| contested boundaries | Boundaries that are disputed or challenged by one or more parties regarding their legitimacy or location. |
| defined boundaries | Boundaries that are clearly established through legal agreements or treaties between nations or regions. |
| delimited boundaries | Boundaries that are described and marked on maps or in written agreements to specify their exact location. |
| demarcated boundaries | Boundaries that are physically marked on the ground through visible markers, fences, or other physical features. |
| demilitarized zones | Areas established by agreement where military forces and weapons are prohibited to reduce conflict between nations or regions. |
| exclusive economic zones | Ocean areas extending up to 200 nautical miles from a nation's coast where that nation has rights to exploit and manage natural resources. |
| internal boundaries | Political borders that divide regions or territories within a country, such as state or provincial boundaries. |
| international agreements | Formal treaties or accords between nations that establish rules, boundaries, or cooperative arrangements. |
| international boundaries | Political borders that separate sovereign nations and establish the limits of national jurisdiction. |
| land boundaries | Political borders that separate territories on land and define the extent of national sovereignty over terrestrial areas. |
| maritime boundaries | Political borders that separate nations in ocean areas and define rights to coastal waters and ocean resources. |
| national identity | The sense of belonging and shared characteristics that unite people within a nation or region. |
| regional identity | The sense of belonging and shared characteristics that unite people within a specific geographic region. |
| sovereignty | The authority of a state to govern itself and make independent decisions without external interference. |
| territorial seas | Waters extending up to 12 nautical miles from a nation's coast where that nation has sovereignty and control. |
| United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea | An international agreement that establishes the rights and responsibilities of nations regarding the use of ocean waters and resources. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| gerrymandering | The manipulation of voting district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group. |
| internal boundaries | Political borders that divide regions or territories within a country, such as state or provincial boundaries. |
| international boundaries | Political borders that separate sovereign nations and establish the limits of national jurisdiction. |
| redistricting | The process of redrawing the boundaries of voting districts, typically conducted after census data is collected. |
| voting districts | Geographic areas designated for electoral purposes, used to determine representation in elections. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| centralized governance | A top-down system of government where decision-making authority and power are concentrated at the national or central level. |
| dispersed power centers | Multiple locations of political authority and decision-making distributed across different regions or levels of government. |
| federal state | A form of government where power is divided between a central national government and smaller regional governments (states or provinces), each with their own authority. |
| spatial organization | The arrangement and distribution of political, economic, and social systems across geographic space. |
| unitary state | A form of government where all power is held by a single central government, with no independent regional governments. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| devolution | The transfer of political power and authority from a central government to regional or local governments. |
| ethnic cleansing | The forced removal or displacement of an ethnic group from a territory, often through violence or coercion. |
| ethnic separatism | The movement by an ethnic group to separate from a state and establish political independence or autonomy. |
| irredentism | A political movement seeking to reclaim or annex territory that is historically or ethnically associated with a group but currently controlled by another state. |
| physical geography | The study of Earth's natural systems, including landforms, climate, water bodies, and ecosystems that influence human activities. |
| terrorism | The use of violence and intimidation to create fear and instability, often employed to challenge state authority or advance political objectives. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| autonomous region | Territories within a state that have some degree of self-governance and control over local affairs while remaining part of the larger political entity. |
| communication technology | Technological systems and tools that enable the transmission of information across distances, facilitating global connectivity and coordination. |
| democratization | The process of transitioning toward or establishing democratic systems of government with increased political participation and representation. |
| devolution | The transfer of political power and authority from a central government to regional or local governments. |
| economies of scale | Cost advantages gained by producing goods in large quantities, reducing the per-unit cost of production. |
| environmental challenges | Global or regional problems related to the natural environment that require coordinated international responses. |
| military alliances | Formal agreements between states to provide mutual defense and security cooperation. |
| sovereignty | The authority of a state to govern itself and make independent decisions without external interference. |
| state disintegration | The process by which a state breaks apart or ceases to function as a unified political entity. |
| subnational political-territorial units | Geographic and political divisions within a state that have their own governance structures below the national level. |
| supranational organizations | International organizations composed of multiple member states that exercise authority above the national level and can limit state sovereignty. |
| supranationalism | The process of states voluntarily pooling sovereignty and transferring power to international organizations that operate above the national level. |
| trade agreements | Formal arrangements between states that establish rules for the exchange of goods and services, often reducing tariffs and barriers. |
| transnational challenges | Issues that cross state boundaries and require cooperation among multiple nations to address, such as climate change or pandemics. |