4.1 Introduction to Political Geography

What is the primary focus of study in political geographY

• The spatial distribution of political power and resources within a state

• The examination of tectonic plate movements

• The study of ancient civilizations and their governments

• Animal migration patterns across the globe

1. Geographers consider ethnicity important because it

• 1. provides the only stable basis of political states in the modern world.

• 1. opposes nationalism and globalization.

• 1. promotes peace and well-being in the face of the globalization of culture.

• 1. reinforces diversity in the face of the globalization of culture.

• 1. defines citizenship and sovereignty in the political arena.

1. Race is often described as

• 1. being characterized by Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic/Latino.

• 1. identification with a group that is perceived to share a physiologic trait such as skin color.

• 1. determinable from physical characteristics such as the exact shape of a person's face or head.

• 1. evenly distributed around the world, independent of ethnicity.

• 1. defined by statute in most U.S. states.

1. One key difference between race and ethnicity is that ethnicity

• 1. changes each generation.

• 1. cannot be passed to the next generation.

• 1. is place-based.

• 1. is often confused with nationality.

• 1. changes following migration.

An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government with control over its internal and foreign affairs. (aka a country)

• sovereignty

• state

• nation

• self-determination

• separatism

Independent states are the primary building blocks of the world political map. 

A state has... (select all that apply)

• • Defined territory with borders

• • Permanent population

• Government

• Sovereignty

• Advanced economy

Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs by other states.

• sovereignty

• state

• nation

• self-determination

• separatism

Concept that ethnicities have the right to govern themselves

• sovereignty

• state

• nation

• self-determination

• separatism

a group of people with a common identity through shared cultural traits such as language, religion, ethnicity, and heritage.

• sovereignty

• state

• nation

• self-determination

• separatism

when the borders of the nation match the borders of the state - a state with (ideally) only one nation within it.

• nation-state

• multistate nation

• multinational state

• autonomous or semi autonomous

• Stateless nations