core concepts
What is a state
A defined territory with a permanent population, sovereign government, and international recognition
what is colonialism
The practice of establishing control over foreign territory for political or economic gain.
what is an antecedent boundary
A boundary drawn before a large population was present.
what is a unitary state
A state where power is concentrated in the central government.
what is a nation
A group of people sharing a common culture, history, or language
what is a shatterbelt
A region caught between stronger colliding external forces, often causing high conflict
what is a subsequent boundary
A boundary drawn to accommodate cultural differences.
what is a federal state
A state where power is shared between the central government and local/regional governments.
what is a nation-state
A state whose territory corresponds to that occupied by a particular nation
What is a chokepoint
A narrow, strategic passage (land or sea) that can be easily blocked
what is a superimposed boundary
A boundary forced on an area by a conquering or colonizing power, ignoring existing cultural patterns
what is gerrymandering
Redrawing voting districts to give one political party an unfair advantage.
What is a stateless nation
A nation without a state
What is devolution
The transfer of power from a central government to regional or local governments.
what is a relic boundary
A boundary that no longer functions but is still visible
what is supranationalism
An alliance of three or more states for shared benefits
What is a multinational state
A state containing two or more nations
What is neocolonialism
The use of economic, political, or cultural pressure to control other countries, especially former colonies.
what is a geometric boundary
Straight lines, such as latitude/longitude
what is the difference between a centripetal and centrifugal force
Centripetal force is a real, "center-seeking" force that pulls an object inward to keep it moving in a circle, whereas centrifugal force is an apparent "outward" force felt in a rotating frame, acting as inertia that pushes away from the center.