Human Geography

Jerome D. FellmannMark BjellandArthur GetisJudith Getis

Human Geography

Chapter 12

The Political Ordering of

Space

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Human Geography 11e

Political Geography• The study of the organization and distribution of

political phenomena, including their impact on other spatial components of society and culture

• State and nation are not synonymous

• State– Independent political entity holding sovereignty over a

territory

• Nation– Community of people with a common culture and territory

Human Geography 11e

National Political Systems• Nation-States

– A state whose territorial extent coincides with that occupied by a distinct nation or people

• Stateless Nation– People without a state

• The Evolution of the Modern State– Developed by European political philosophers

in the 18th century– The concept that people owe alliance to a state

Human Geography 11e

Geographic Characteristics of States

– Size– Shape

• Can affect the well-being of a state by fostering or hindering effective organization

• The least efficient shape administratively is represented by the elongated state; part of the country far from the capital are likely to be isolated

• Fragmentation make it harder for the state to impose centralized control over its territory

– Location– Cores and Capitals

• The core is the original nucleus of a state and is the most developed area

Human Geography 11e

Boundaries• Boundaries: The

Limits of the State– Classification of

Boundaries• Natural boundaries

are those based on recognizable physiographic feature

• Geometric boundaries are frequently delimited as segments of parallels of latitude or meridians of longitude

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Human Geography 11e

Boundaries• Boundaries: The

Limits of the State– Subsequent

• Drawn after the development of the cultural landscape

– Superimposed• Forced on existing

cultural landscapes; can be the product of conquest

– Relict Boundary• A former boundary

that no longer functions

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Human Geography 11e

Centripetal Forces: Promoting State Cohesion

• Nationalism• Unifying Institutions• Organization and Administration• Transportation and Communication

Human Geography 11e

Centrifugal Forces: Challenges to State Authority

• Organized Religion• Nationalism

– Separatism– Devolution

• Regional Autonomous Movements

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Human Geography 11e

The Projection of Power• Geopolitical Assessments

– Mackinder• Heartland Theory• In 1904 Mackinder published an article titled

“The Geographical Pivot of History” in the Geographical Journal.

• He concluded that a land-based power in the heart of Eurasia, not a sea power, has better chances of ruling the world

Human Geography 11e

The Projection of Power• Geopolitical Assessments

– Alfred Mahan– Nicholas Spykman

• Rimland Theory– Containment– Domino Theory– Terrorism

Human Geography 11e

International Political Systems

• Supranationalism– Associations among states

• The United Nations and Its Agencies– Maritime boundaries– An International Law of the Sea

• Regional Alliances– Economic alliances– Military and political alliances

Human Geography 11e

Local and Regional Political Organization

• The Geography of Representation: The Districting Problem

• The Fragmentation of Political Power