Political GeographyPolitical Geography

What is Political Geography?What is Political Geography?

Study of governmental systemsStudy of governmental systems Study of nation-statesStudy of nation-states

Nations, States, and Nation States?Nations, States, and Nation States? NationNation – a people with – a people with

common common cultureculture, usually in , usually in a specific territorya specific territory

++ StateState – – sovereignsovereign

government, located in government, located in specific territoryspecific territory

== Nation-StateNation-State – nation and – nation and

state in same territorystate in same territory

Types of BordersTypes of Borders Political BordersPolitical Borders

–artificial, set by –artificial, set by govt. (imaginary govt. (imaginary lines) lines)

Example: North Example: North and South Koreaand South Korea

Natural BordersNatural Borders – created – created by physical featuresby physical features Example: Rio Grande River Example: Rio Grande River (Mexico and US)(Mexico and US)

Major Functions of GovernmentsMajor Functions of Governments Different government systems Different government systems

divide powers and responsibilities divide powers and responsibilities differently. Separation of powers, differently. Separation of powers, distribution of powers vary by distribution of powers vary by country. country.

ExecutiveExecutive – authority for the day- – authority for the day-to-day operation of the to-day operation of the governmentgovernment

LegislativeLegislative – decision-making – decision-making assembly or other bodyassembly or other body

JudicialJudicial – law and justice issues – law and justice issues

Major Types of Political SystemsMajor Types of Political SystemsWe will discuss good things and bad things about each one.We will discuss good things and bad things about each one.

Democracy Democracy oror

RepublicRepublic

citizens hold political powercitizens hold political power

2 main kinds – “direct” democracy, 2 main kinds – “direct” democracy, “representative” democracy “representative” democracy

Example: Example: USA, most modern nationsUSA, most modern nations

““Monarchy”Monarchy”Who has power?Who has power? King or QueenKing or Queen

What else should you know?What else should you know? Usually shares power with Usually shares power with

other groups, typically a other groups, typically a legislature – making them a legislature – making them a “constitutional monarchy”“constitutional monarchy”

Example?Example? Great Britain, JordanGreat Britain, Jordan

Communism Communism “Authoritarian”“Authoritarian”

Who has power?Who has power? Government has all political Government has all political

power (not the people) power (not the people)

What else should you know?What else should you know? One ruler – “One ruler – “DictatorshipDictatorship”” Group – “Group – “OligarchyOligarchy”” Total control of all aspects of a citizen’s Total control of all aspects of a citizen’s

life – “life – “TotalitarianismTotalitarianism””

Examples?Examples?

Nazi Germany, Soviet UnionNazi Germany, Soviet Union

Cuba, North Korea, SyriaCuba, North Korea, Syria

People’s Republic of ChinaPeople’s Republic of China

““Anarchy” or “Failed State”Anarchy” or “Failed State”

Who has power?•Nobody, or gangs and warlords… violence = political power in a failed state. There often is a government, but it has no control over its territory.

What else should you know?•The instability is often fueled by illegal drugs or resources, because of external interference.

Examples: •See map

Human InteractionsHuman Interactions

What is an What is an Ethnic GroupEthnic Group??

A group of people who share language, A group of people who share language, customs and a common heritage.customs and a common heritage.

What is What is RaceRace??

Race A group of human beings Race A group of human beings distinguished by physical traits, blood types, distinguished by physical traits, blood types, geneticgenetic code patterns code patterns or genetically or genetically inherited characteristics.inherited characteristics.

EthnocentrismEthnocentrism

Believing that one’s own culture is best or Believing that one’s own culture is best or better than others.better than others.

Why people move.Why people move.

PushPush – means leaving an area because of – means leaving an area because of what is happening in the area you are what is happening in the area you are leaving.leaving. Ex. Ex. Political unrest, no jobs, natural disaster

PullPull – means leaving an area because of – means leaving an area because of what is happening in the area you are going what is happening in the area you are going to.to. Ex. Ex. Good jobs, stable government, weather

What happens when people move?What happens when people move?

Do you become like them??Do you become like them?? AssimilationAssimilation –the minority is absorbed by the –the minority is absorbed by the

majority. majority.

What happens when you move?What happens when you move? Do they become a little like you?Do they become a little like you?

Cultural Diffusion Cultural Diffusion – The spread of ideas, – The spread of ideas, inventions or patterns of behavior to inventions or patterns of behavior to different societies.different societies.

What happens when you move?What happens when you move?

Acculturation – Cultural change that occurs – Cultural change that occurs when individuals in a society accept or adopt an when individuals in a society accept or adopt an innovation.innovation.