Political Geography. What is a state? Development of the State Concept. Development of the State Concept. Problematic States. Problematic States

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1 What is a state? Political Geography A region on the earth that has: Defined territory Population Political structure Sovereignty country is synonymous with state nation is synonymous with ethnicity Development of the State Concept city-state : included the local community and surrounding countryside Often made alliance with nearby city-states One city-state might gain dominance within a region and create an empire (i.e. Roman) Development of the State Concept Roman Empire devolved into estates owned by local kings, dukes, barons, etc Neighboring estates made alliances under a regional king Basis for modern states in Europe Nation-State dominated almost 100% by one ethnicity Japan and Denmark Korea: One State or Two? Following WWII occupied by USA & USSR Separate governments created; divided at 38 th parallel Korean War ensued; DMZ as buffer Remain separate although each believes it is legitimate government for whole peninsula 1992 each admitted to UN hope of reunification Satellite image of Korea at night Suggests the divide in developmental status for each North & South 1

2 China and Taiwan: One State or Two? Following WWII Civil War Communists control mainland Nationalists exiled to Taiwan US & UN recognized Nationalists until 1971 Mainland China contends it owns Taiwan Since 1999, Taiwan maintains sovereign status As do some other countries China and Taiwan: One State or Two? Western Sahara Spain leaves in 1976 Sahrawi Republic declared by Polisario Front; recognized by most African countries Morocco claims area & has built wall around 1991 under UN forces Referendum continually postponed Varying Sizes Largest = Russia, 17.1 million sq. km Smallest = Monaco, 1.5 sq. km (microstate) Compact States Efficient Distance from center to border is fairly similar Ideal would be circle with capital in center Can have easy communication i.e. Rwanda Prorupted States Access of Disruption Compact with a large projecting extension Can help gain access to a resource Can help keep 2 other states from sharing a border i.e. Dem-Rep of Congo & Afghanistan 2

3 Elongated States Potential Isolation Long & narrow shape Might have poor internal communication i.e. Chile Fragmented States Problematic Discontinuous pieces of territory Common for island countries Separated by water Separated by another state i.e. Angola & Indonesia Perforated States South Africa Completely surrounds another state Lesotho experienced extensive hardship when South Africa s apartheid discriminated against black majority Landlocked States Surrounded No direct outlet to sea 14 of 54 African states Complicates international trade i.e. Lesotho & Paraguay i.e. South Africa Boundaries: Frontiers A zone in which no state exercises complete sovereignty Korean DMZ, Antarctica, Arabian Peninsula Boundaries: Frontiers A zone in which no state exercises complete sovereignty Korean DMZ, Antarctica, Arabian Peninsula 3

4 Boundaries: Physical Use of physical feature as a boundary Mountains Chile & Argentina have a line from peak to peak through Andes Mountains Deserts Sahara divides countries on north from those on south Bodies of Water Rio Grande divides U.S. from Mexico Korean Peninsula & Japan separated by sea (name?) Geometric: compromise border lines created by cultural issues are blurred Canada & U.S. highly similar people in many locations AozouStrip between Libya and Chad created by French & British in 1899 Italy conquers Libya & desires new line further south Set at original line when Libya & Chad gain independence Libya seizes region in 1973; Chad pushes back in 1987 Geometric: compromise border lines created by cultural issues are blurred Canada & U.S. highly similar people in many locations AozouStrip between Libya and Chad created by French & British in 1899 Italy conquers Libya & desires new line further south Set at original line when Libya & Chad gain independence Libya seizes region in 1973; Chad pushes back in 1987 Geometric Religious: created to separate by faith group Division of India (Hindu) & Pakistan (Muslim) Division of Ireland (Catholic) & U.K. controlled Northern Ireland (Protestant) Geometric Religious Language: borders due to linguistic diversity Creation of modern Europe, esp. after WWI; relative peace until 1990s Unitary States: power consolidated within centralized government Few, if any, internal regionalized borders Works best in a state with few internal cultural differences (nation-state) Ideal for majority to dominate over minority Rwanda & Kenya as examples in Africa Communist regimes 4

5 Confederate States: majority of power expressed within regional governments Creation of numerous internal borders Minimalizes nationalism Allows greater voice from minority groups, even if only in one region Switzerland is prime example today U.S. under Articles of Confederation Confederate States of America (U.S. Civil War) Federalist States: powers divided between central and regional governments; central government retains sovereignty Creation of various internal borders; can create regions which give power to minorities More suitable for large states Russia, Canada, U.S., Brazil, India Belgium abnormal in that is a small state Trend Toward Federalism France: officially unitary, but increased power being given to départments and communes Poland: unitary under Communism; 1989 powers given to local gov ts Lack of experienced local leaders required training Electoral Geography Redraw regional boundaries due to population shifts (every 10 years in U.S.) Some counties use independent commissions; most U.S. states use state legislature Redrawn to benefit specific party = gerrymandering Electoral Geography Redraw regional boundaries due to population shifts (every 10 years in U.S.) Some counties use independent commissions; most U.S. states use state legislature Redrawn to benefit specific party = gerrymandering United Nations Replaced ineffective League of Nations 1945 with 49 states 2007 with 192 states Forum for international peace discussion Security Council has 5 permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, U.K., & U.S.) Relies on donations of troops for peacekeeping operations limits number of operations ICJ hears disputes between member states 5

6 United Nations, 1945 To promote world peace 1945 with 49 states -> currently 193 states General Assembly (all members) Security Council (10 rotating + 5 permanent) China, France, Russia, U.K., & U.S. (each w/ veto power) Relies on donated troops for peace-keeping missions; limits quantity & quality of operations Secretariat Secretary-General: Ban Ki-moon Economic & Social Council International Court of Justice International Criminal Court North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Warsaw Pact Organization of American States (OAS) European Union North Am. Free Trade Association (NAFTA) African Union Commonwealth (U.K. & former colonies) in Economics G8: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, & US G8+5: above + Brazil, China, India, Mexico, & South Africa G20: above + Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, & EU BRICs or BRICS Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa India might be replaced with Indonesia Terrorism Violence to foster political aims Assassinations target military/political leaders Julius Caesar, 4 U.S. Presidents, Archduke Ferdinand Terrorism targets civilian populations Doesn t include collateral damage during war Terrorism: Non-State Americans as Targets Unabomber (mail bombings), 1980s & 90s Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie, Scotland), 1988 NYC World Trade Center, 1993 OKC Murrah Federal Building, 1995 Army barracks in Saudi Arabia, 1996 Embassies in Kenya & Tanzania, 1998 USS Cole in port in Yemen, 2000 NYC World Trade Center & DC Pentagon, 2001 Terrorism: Non-State Al-Qaeda Osama bin Laden s group; claims responsibility for most previously noted American attacks Use of religion as basis to justify attacks 1996/1998: declaration of war on US Because of staunch support of Israel & Saudi Arabia Islam s three holiest sites in Israel & Saudi Arabia Works in autonomous cells Not being a state complicates int l response 6

7 Providing safety for terrorists wanted by other countries Supplying weapons, money, & intelligence to terrorist groups Planning attacks using terrorist groups Libya 1981: shot down U.S. aircraft over int l waters 1986: bombed bar near U.S. base in Berlin 1988: Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie, Scotland) 1989: UTA Flight 776 (northern Niger) Afghanistan Taliban regime provides sanctuary to Al-Qaeda Brutal suppression of ethnic minorities Iraq 1980s: UN found evidence of WMDs 40 nuclear facilities & 3 uranium-enrichment programs Program to make VX nerve agent Biological weapon programs including anthrax 1981: nuclear reactor destroyed by Israelis 1988: use of poisoned gas against Kurds 1991: invasion of Kuwait; desired Saudi Arabia 1990s: UN no longer found evidence of WMDs U.S. & U.K. intelligence still suggested otherwise Iran 1979: coup to overthrow Shah; U.S. allows Shah to enter for medical treatment 1979: supporters of Ayatollah Khomeini seized U.S. embassy & held hostages : war with Iraq (U.S. supported Iraq) 2003-present: accusations of supporting & importing terrorists in Iraq to fight U.S. Today: concerns over nuclear programs 7