Chapter 11: A World of States

Victoria Alapo, Instructor

Geog 1010

Introduction to GeographyPeople, Places, and Environment, 4e

Edward F. BergmanWilliam H. Renwick

Nations & States What is the difference btw a Nation & a State?

States are political boundaries i.e. countries Nations are just the people themselves not the boundaries.

See “stateless nations” (textbook, pg 448). Any Examples?

Nation-States Many European countries are Nation-States (e.g.?) These are a single set of people who share the same

ideals/culture within the state.

Formation Outside Europe

Superimposed boundaries European colonial rule. See next slide.

Many African countries are NOT nation-states. This is because of the various cultures within each country.

The Shapes of States

Compact shape is closest to the “circular ideal”. Prorupted

Sometimes formed because of corridors to the sea/ navigable waterways e.g. Dem. Rep. of Congo; Namibia.

Elongated e.g. Chile Archipelago – these are islands. Usually called

“fragmented states”. E.g. Japan, Philippines, Indonesia.

Perforated – e.g. S/Africa; Italy (perforated by the Vatican and San Marino).

What Shape is the U.S.?

Subdivision & Representation

Defining the balance of power between local and national government

Unitary Power lies at the center (that is, central govt/capital)

Federal Power lies with the subunits (local states) In Canada, provinces have more power than in U.S.

local states However, Ontario and Quebec dominate national

government in Canada

Representative Districts

Electoral Geography Sub-field of political geography Voting districts and boundaries

Gerrymandering Manipulating boundaries so that one group

gains unfair advantage Here, district lines can be drawn in such a

way to include/exclude specific groups of voters. See cartoon (textbook, pg 472).

Chapter 12: National Paths to Economic Growth

Victoria Alapo, Instructor

Geog 1010

Introduction to GeographyPeople, Places, and Environment, 4e

Edward F. BergmanWilliam H. Renwick

Measures of Gross Product

Gross domestic product (GDP) Total value of all goods and services produced within

a country, and it’s measured per capita (per person)

Measurement Limitations: Undercounting of subsistence peoples and areas. Govts

only count activities can be taxed. Exaggerating the impact of cities Underground, informal (or even Illegal) economies. See

points made above. Varying exchange rates; always converting things in

other countries to “dollars”.

According to Alfred Weber, the locational determinants for manufacturing are: raw materials, labor force, market and transportation costs.

Types of Political Economies

Communism – direct govt. involvement; everything is nationalized.

Capitalism – private enterprise and stock market are determinants However, government still has a role e.g. regulations

(EPA, etc), types of production during war, etc

Mixed economies – most countries are in this “in-between”.

Chapter 13: Political Regionalization and Globalization

Victoria Alapo

Geog 1010

Introduction to GeographyPeople, Places, and Environment, 4e

Edward F. BergmanWilliam H. Renwick

Multiple Nation Organizations

Supranational organizations: when 3 or more countries come together for economic/ political/ cultural reasons e.g.

EU (European Union); see next slide AU (African Union); NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement); CARICOM (English speaking countries of the Caribbean); MERCOSUR (Latin American countries); ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations); ECOWAS – Econ. Community of West African States; Arab League, etc

Expansion of EU in 2004 (Switzerland is not a member!) See map.

Why??

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement 1994, between Canada, U.S. and Mexico.

As of 2004, the EU was larger in total members, population, income.

Promotes free trade, easier investment flows. And because of cheaper labor, also led to the increase in Maquiladoras (foreign-owned factories), esp. in Mexico.

NAFTA

Results U.S. lost jobs

Mexico’s agriculture/ farmers have suffered after being flooded by cheap subsidized corn from U.S.

Jurisdiction of Earth

Antarctica – these claims are not recognized by U.S. or Russia (both support most of the research).

1959 Treaty prevents countries from ever fighting over it. It states that it will be used for peaceful purposes, forever.

British Empire

1900 peak (¼ of Earth’s land surface) Vestiges of British culture remain in:

Legal system (see pg 457), Anglican churches, language, education

Queen Elizabeth still head of state in 16 countries in addition to UK Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica

Northern Ireland 26 of 32 counties independent from UK in 1921 Ulster province (6 counties) chose to remain with UK –

(Protestants – majority; Catholics – minority).

French Empire

French Republic today: France Overseas departments and territorial

collectives (e.g. French Guiana). A LOT of islands

Ottoman Empire

Turkey emerged in 1920s with collapse of Ottoman Empire

Middle East divided between France and Britain after Ottoman Empire collapsed. Arabs loyal to clans, families, ethnic

groups, than to countries. Israel – Jewish homeland

United States Empire

Cuba – taken from Spain in 1898 and colonized by the U.S. Granted independence in 1934; naval base maintained in Guantanamo Bay.

Philippines – colonized by the U.S. from 1898-1946, after Spain was defeated.

Panama U.S. provoked uprising for independence (1903), then leased

canal from new govt., completing the work started by the French. Canal surrendered in 1999.

1989 invasion – to bring dictator, Manuel Noriega to U.S. for trial; occupied Panama until late1999; drug trafficking did NOT go down, despite invasion.

United States Empire

Liberia Ethnic conflict – U.S. involvement due to historical

reasons (freed U.S. slaves settled there). Islands – large number still under U.S. control Puerto Rico

1952 free commonwealth; not a 51st state. U.S. citizens who cannot vote; use dollar bill, pay no income taxes, but under jurisdiction of Fed. Govt.

Resource poor, densely populated, low per capita income. Poorer than the U.S.’ poorest State (Mississippi).

Russian Empire Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)

Communist leader, control in 1917 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922)

1990 USSR consisted of 15 union republics 17% of Earth’s land area (excluding Antarctica) Russia was the largest republic in USSR (76%) Russian acculturation, influence & infiltration

over centuries (see next slide)

Break-up of Soviet Union

Gorbachev Became leader in 1985, and introduced:

Glasnost Freedom of speech and press

Perestroika Restructuring of economy and politics

Led to events and policies could not be controlled

15 new countries Economic struggles with Capitalism (see

Russia video).

Developments in Russia

Economic challenges Privatization of state-owned economy &

“grabbing”. Slow progress Chechnya fighting for independence Advantages Russia has:

Educated workforce Natural resources Scientific institutes