AP Human Geography Unit 4: Political Organization

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Boundary that existed prior to the large-scale settlement of a space. Ex) Malaysia & Indonesia on the island of Borneo. What is this?

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Antecedent Boundary

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A boundary that coincides with a cultural divide. Religion – ex) India/Pakistan border based on Muslim population distribution. Language – ex) French/German border has resulted in many historic conflicts due to a mixed heritage population living there (Alsace). Ethnic – ex) post-WWI division of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania). What is this?

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Consequent Boundary

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Areas that have a degree of autonomy from the central government (freedom from an external authority). Most often results in the changing of unitary to federal governmental structure. What is this?

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Autonomous Region

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Process of one state dividing into a set of smaller independent states Occurs when devolution fails to satisfy the interests of a people Results in full autonomy for a nation. What is this?

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Balkanization

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Forces within a state that divide the people and weaken or destabilize a state. May result in ethnonational conflict - separatist movements or calls for self-determination. What is this?

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Centrifugal Force

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Forces within a state that unify the people and strengthen a state. Nationalism – a sense of unity with fellow citizens. What is this?

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Centripetal Force

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Marking the boundary on a map and recording its absolute location. Sometimes physical boundaries can change (flows of rivers change over time). What is this?

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Delimitation

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Marking the boundary on the physical landscape.
*Signs are frequently used. Walls & fences are sometimes used to keep people from crossing the boundary.
What is this?

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Demarcation

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A border buffer area with no military presence and very little residents. What is this?

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Demilitarized Zones

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Process in which a non-democratic government grants authority to the people by establishing competitive elections that are regular, free, and fair. What is this?

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Democratization