4.5 The Functions of Political Boundaries

Which of the following is an example of a political border?

• The Atlantic Ocean

• The Great Wall of China

• The Rocky Mountains

• The International Date Line

Answer explanation

The Great Wall of China is an example of a political border because it serves as a dividing line between countries.

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about boundaries?

• Boundaries clarify where one political entity ends and another begins.

• Boundaries are often the cause of conflict between neighbors.

• Boundaries are used to help people understand what they are allowed to administer.

• Boundaries have been known to cause bloodshed and war throughout history.

What type of boundary is established by a legal document?

• Defined

• Delimited

• Demarcated

• Informal

Which of the following best describes a definitional boundary dispute?

• Disagreement over the control of a territory

• Disagreement over the interpretation of legal documents or maps

• Disagreement over the allocation of resources

• Disagreement over the function of a boundary

Answer explanation

Disagreement over the interpretation of legal documents or maps. A definitional boundary dispute occurs when two or more parties disagree over how to interpret the legal documents or maps that identify the boundary.

What is an example of a locational boundary dispute?

• The post-World War I boundary between Germany and Poland

• The desire to unify different nations

• Expansionism when one country seeks to annex territory

• Cultural ties to part of the population or historical claims to the land

Which of the following is an example of an operational boundary dispute?

• Arguments about where a boundary should be drawn

• Disagreements about trade between two countries

• Refugees migrating from southern Europe to the interior

• Arguments about who controls transportation on a river

Which of the following is an example of an allocational boundary dispute?

• Iraq invading Kuwait

• Directional drilling

• Extracting minerals

• Fishing rights

Answer explanation

Iraq invading Kuwait. This is an example of an allocational boundary dispute because Iraq invaded Kuwait because it claimed that the Kuwaitis were drilling too many wells using directional drilling, thus breaking the vertical plane and extracting oil on the Iraqi side of the boundary.

Which of the following is a reason why many borders in the world are not demarcated?

• The relationships between the two states are not peaceful

• The process tends to be protracted and expensive

• The borders are in vast wilderness areas

• The process is not possible to execute

Answer explanation

The process tends to be protracted and expensive. This is because demarcation is a process that can be costly and time consuming. Additionally, many borders in the world are not demarcated because they are in vast wilderness areas with no one living there or because the relationships between the two states are cordial, open, and peaceful.

Which of the following is true regarding the Israeli-West Bank barrier?

• It is a militarized border that has been in place since 2000.

• It allows goods and people to cross without restrictions.

• It has improved relations between Israel and the Palestinians.

• It promotes racial segregation from Israel's standpoint.

Answer explanation

It promotes racial segregation from Israel's standpoint. The Israeli-West Bank barrier was begun in 2000 during a period of increased tension and violence, and from Israel's standpoint it is necessary to prevent terrorism. The barrier separates Israel's claims from those of the Palestinians through a multi-layered fence system, and Palestinians argue that it promotes racial segregation.

What type of boundary is created when a passport or visa is required to enter the country?

• Open boundary

• Controlled boundary

• Closed boundary

• Free boundary