2 Required Reading for this Unit: A Sure Path to Conflict? 3 4 What is? The interplay (relationship) between geography and politics on either a national or international level. The Nation State Independent nation ruled by a national government which controls events within geographical borders. 1
5 6 Nation States Groups of people adopting unique common identities. Live together under one government within a certain geographical area. Unique because of history, language, customs, religions, unique senses of community. Political Sovereignty A nation state has political AUTONOMY: it can create policies and enforce laws within its borders without interference or control from other nation states. BORDERS mark the limit of a nation s laws and security (and link a specific geographical area with national identity). Threats to national sovereignty often result in conflict. 7 8 Problems with Sovereignty Globalization & Sovereignty Yugoslavia & Rwanda The UN was aware that genocide was occurring in both countries and was reluctant to intervene due to their sovereignty. In these cases, sovereignty was a deterrent for international interference. The global village encourages the movement of goods across borders without limit. Free trade agreements are evidence of this. The European Union uses a single currency (the Euro - ) and has eliminated many border checkpoints. 2
9 Political Borders Natural features (rivers, lakes, mountains). Arbitrary/Artificial (latitude and longitude). Can we see trouble with arbitrary borders? Many African borders were imposed by the colonial British and failed to recognize the separation of different groups. Many nation states were formed between 1900 and 1999 by the decolonization of: Africa Asia Caribbean Middle East after World War Two Break up of the Soviet Union Ideology What We Believe 10 11 12 What is an Ideology? Set of ideas and beliefs that a nation uses as the basis for its: Way of life Political and economic systems Social goals Ideologies are based on a nation state s history and experience. Nonetheless, all ideologies fall under two categories: Democracy Authoritarianism Democratic States Nation s citizens exercise their political power by electing officials who think the same way they do. The basic features: Rule of the majority for decisionmaking Protection of minorities Accountability to the voters Guarantee freedom of expression, assembly, religion and the press Independent judiciary out of the politicians reach Rule of law applying to all citizens 3
13 14 Direct Democracy Authoritarianism Making political decisions with YES/NO decisions. Referendum Nations are at different stages in their democratic systems. Canada s democracy is enshrined and protected. In some developing countries, however, democracies may be LIMITED or EMERGENT. Rigged elections. Forced voting. Military takes over in a coup. Authoritarian nation states limit the participation of their citizens in politics and stifle dissent from those who speak against government. Sometimes, these states rely on stirring up NATIONALISM in order to obtain loyalty and support from citizens. Often, one individual (or a small group) has control of: Political power Military power Religious power There is often also only one political party allowed in the country. A number of freedoms are usually missing in these states. 16 Absolute Monarchy Authoritarian Government Types: - Absolute Monarchy - One-Party Nation States - Military-Run State - Religious Nation State 15 No elected officials. Authority rests with the monarch (king, queen, sultan, sheik, or emir). Power is passed down within the family. Saudi Arabia Jordan Swaziland Brunei Oman United Arab Emirates. 4
17 18 One-Party Nation State Military Authoritarianism Power rests with one political party and all other political parties are outlawed. Leader rules without interference. Libya Iraq (used to be) Zimbabwe (until 2008) Cuba (even with Raul in charge) Mauritania Governing power is in the hands of one or more military leaders, who have often seized power from an elected government. Has happened a lot in Latin America since 1960. In other countries, the military has major influence although it doesn t run the country. 19 20 Religious Nation State Political power is held by religious leaders whose religious beliefs form the political ideology of the nation state. Iran is run by divine will or Shari ah Until 2001, Afghanistan, under the Taliban s rule, was run by extreme religious beliefs. Television; non-religious music; women at work, school, or outside without being totally covered; men with beards. Communism Based on writings of: Karl Marx Friedrich Engels They believed the WORKING CLASS would overthrow the RULING CLASS. Result: Classless society where all land, money, and means of production would be owned by all citizens. Many countries call themselves Communist, but the vision of Marx/Engels has never been achieved. 5
21 22 What Communism Looks Like: Controls the political, economic, and social systems of the nation state. Communist states are one-party states and only party members can run for reelection. Private enterprise does not exist. Government owns/operates transportation, agriculture, television, radio, publishing, film industries, etc. Power is held through: Propaganda State-run education Secret police Public criticism of government isn t permitted. Rights of the state are more important than the rights of the individual. The Spread of Communism: Communism spread after World War II. Countries freed by the Soviets had communist governments established: Germany was divided into East (controlled by the USSR) and West (controlled by democratic Germany). Czechoslovakia Poland Romania Hungary Bulgaria Communist Nation States China North Korea North Vietnam Albania Yugoslavia Cuba 23 24 and Conflict Cold War Refresher After World War Two until about the 1990 s, international politics was dominated by the Cold War. USA (democratic) and its allies. USSR (authoritarian) and its allies. Non-aligned nations: Those not formally committed to either. They were neutral. Relations between the USA & USSR had deteriorated to the point of war, although no fighting occurred. Communist vs Democratic ideologies Spread of Communism and revolution vs Imperialism Containment (attempting to contain communism within the USSR). Marshall Plan NATO SEATO 6
25 26 NATO MEMBERS SEATO MEMBERS Military alliance to stop the spread of communism in Western Europe. Pact to protect Cambodia, Laos, and South Vietnam. 27 28 1962: The Brink of War and Years Following After Cuba, the superpowers began to compete in other ways: Foreign aid (technology, military) Angola and other civil wars Korean War Afghanistan (1979-1989) Vietnam War Space race and the race to the moon After the Cold War Détente: a relaxation of ideology when both sides realized that nuclear war would be disastrous. Breakup of the USSR (Soviet Union) into different governing nation states. Communist China Allowed private enterprise to help its economy. Increased SOME personal freedoms without weakening Communist Party. Allowed private ownership of SOME businesses. Relations between China and many non-communist countries improved. 7
29 Further Geopolitical Conflicts The Cold War s end didn t stop conflicts. Gulf War (1990) occurred with Iraq invaded Kuwait, followed by a US-led invasion. Civil wars in Africa Sierra Leone Rwanda Democratic Republic of the Congo India/Pakistan over Kashmir province Threat of nuclear weapons 8