Boundaries Basics
What is the difference between a defined and a delimited boundary?
Defined boundaries are legally documented (e.g., treaties), while delimited boundaries are drawn on a map.
What is a unitary state?
A unitary state centralizes power in one national government.
What is reapportionment?
Reapportionment reallocates House seats based on population changes.
What is devolution?
Devolution is the transfer of power from central to regional governments.
What is a centripetal force?
A centripetal force unifies people (e.g., national anthem, shared language).
What type of boundary is drawn before a large population is present?
An antecedent boundary is drawn before a large population settles in the area
Name one country that is a federal state and explain why.
The United States is a federal state because power is shared between national and state governments.
What is the purpose of redistricting?
Redistricting redraws voting district boundaries to reflect population shifts.
Name one factor that can lead to devolution.
Factors: Physical geography, ethnic separatism, economic inequality.
Give an example of a centrifugal force.
A centrifugal force divides people (e.g., ethnic conflict, economic disparity).
Give an example of a superimposed boundary and explain why it fits the definition.
Answers may vary :
political boundary that is drawn by outside powers and placed over existing cultural, ethnic, or social divisions, often without regard for the people who live there.
Example: The borders in Africa drawn during the Berlin Conference are superimposed because they ignored existing cultural divisions.
What are two advantages of a federal system?
Advantages: Local autonomy, diversity in policy, and increased political participation.
Define gerrymandering and name two techniques used.
Gerrymandering manipulates district boundaries to favor a party.
What is irredentism? Give an example.
Irredentism is when a country claims territory in another state due to shared ethnicity (e.g., Russia and Crimea).
How can economic inequality act as a centrifugal force?
Economic inequality can cause resentment and regionalism, weakening national unity.
What is the purpose of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)?
UNCLOS defines maritime boundaries, including territorial seas (12 nautical miles) and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) (200 nautical miles).
Why might a unitary state struggle to meet the needs of peripheral regions?
Unitary states may neglect remote areas, focusing resources near the capital.
What is a majority-minority district and why was it created?
A majority-minority district is one where a minority group makes up the majority of voters, created to ensure fair representation.
Name two supranational organizations and their main goals.
What is ethnonationalism and how can it divide a state?
Ethnonationalism promotes loyalty to one ethnic group, excluding others and causing division.
Explain the difference between a relic boundary and a geometric boundary, with examples.
A relic boundary no longer functions (e.g., Berlin Wall), while a geometric boundary is a straight line (e.g., U.S.-Canada border along the 49th parallel)
Compare how power is distributed in federal vs. unitary systems using real-world examples.
In France (unitary), decisions are made centrally. In the U.S. (federal), states have their own laws and powers.
How can redistricting be both a geographic and political process?
Geographic: Reflects population changes.
Political: Controlled by legislatures, often influenced by party interests.
How can supranationalism challenge a state's sovereignty?
Supranationalism may require states to give up some control over laws, trade, or military decisions.
Describe how a natural disaster could act as both a centripetal and centrifugal force.
A disaster can unite people through shared struggle (centripetal), or divide if aid is unevenly distributed (centrifugal).