Politics and ReligionPolitics and Religion

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

What kinds of borders?What kinds 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

What are the major types of What are the major types of political systems?political systems?

Complete the “Government Chart” as we go along.Complete the “Government Chart” as we go along.

We will discuss good things and bad things about each one.We will discuss good things and bad things about each one.

““Democracy” Democracy” oror

“Republic”“Republic”

Who has power?Who has power? citizens hold political powercitizens hold political power

What else should you know?What else should you know? 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

““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

Major World ReligionsMajor World Religions

JudaismJudaism Who –Who – Abraham, Moses Abraham, Moses When –When – circa 3000 BC circa 3000 BC Where –Where – Israel Israel Holy Books -Holy Books - TorahTorah, ,

and and TalmudTalmud Major Divisions –Major Divisions –

Orthodox, Conservative, Orthodox, Conservative, ReformReform

Basic BeliefsBasic Beliefs MonotheisticMonotheistic – one God – one God Jews are the chosen Jews are the chosen

people of God, must people of God, must follow his laws. follow his laws.

Jerusalem/Israel are Jerusalem/Israel are holy lands.holy lands.

ChristianityChristianity Who –Who – Jesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth

When –When – circa 30AD circa 30AD

Where –Where – Israel Israel

Holy Books –Holy Books – Old and New Old and New TestamentsTestaments

Major Divisions –Major Divisions – Catholic, Catholic, Protestant, OrthodoxProtestant, Orthodox

Basic BeliefsBasic Beliefs Jesus Christ is the son of Jesus Christ is the son of

GodGod Death and resurrectionDeath and resurrection Came to redeem mankind Came to redeem mankind

from sin.from sin.

IslamIslamWho –Who – Mohammed Mohammed

When –When – circa 620AD circa 620AD

Where –Where – Arabian Peninsula Arabian Peninsula

Holy Books –Holy Books – QuranQuran and the and the HadithHadithMajor Divisions –Major Divisions – Sunni, Shia Sunni, Shia

Basic BeliefsBasic BeliefsThere is no god but Allah, and There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger Muhammad is the messenger of Godof GodQuran is word of God. Quran is word of God. Muslims must perform the Muslims must perform the “Five Pillars of Faith”. “Five Pillars of Faith”.

HinduismHinduismWho –Who – Ancient priests of India Ancient priests of IndiaWhen –When – 5000 –3000 BCE 5000 –3000 BCE Where –Where – India IndiaHoly Books –Holy Books – Vedas, Bhagavad- Vedas, Bhagavad-GitaGitaMajor Divisions –Major Divisions – Numerous Numerous schools and traditionsschools and traditionsBasic BeliefsBasic BeliefsPolytheisticPolytheisticReincarnation and Karma – Reincarnation and Karma – cause and effectcause and effectUltimate goal – oneness with Ultimate goal – oneness with “Brahman” (God, Reality)“Brahman” (God, Reality)

BuddhismBuddhismWho –Who – Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)(Buddha)When –When – 500 BC 500 BCWhere –Where – Northern India Northern IndiaHoly Books -Holy Books - Tripitaka TripitakaMajor Divisions –Major Divisions – Mahayana, Mahayana, TheravadaTheravadaBasic BeliefsBasic BeliefsLife is suffering, caused by wanting Life is suffering, caused by wanting things, caused by ignorance.things, caused by ignorance.Reincarnation and karmaReincarnation and karma““8-fold Path” allows escape to 8-fold Path” allows escape to NirvanaNirvana