Cultural Diffusion
Language and Religion
Political Geography Basics
Boundaries and Borders
Political Processes/ Conflicts
100

The spread of ideas through people physically moving from one place to another.

Relocation Diffusion

100

A common language used among speakers of different native languages for trade or communication.

Lingua Franca

100

A defined area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government.

State

100

A boundary that follows natural features like rivers or mountains.

Physical boundary

100

Redrawing voting district boundaries.

Redistricting

200

The spread of culture outward from a central node in a snowballing effect.

Expansion Diffusion

200

The complete loss of original cultural identity when adopting a new culture.

Assimilation

200

The ability of a state to govern itself without outside interference.

Sovereignty

200

A boundary created without regard to cultural patterns.

Superimposed boundary

200

Manipulating district boundaries for political gain.

Gerrymandering

300

This type of diffusion spreads hierarchically through power structures like celebrities or political leaders.

Hierarchical Diffusion

300

The process of adopting some traits of a dominant culture while retaining aspects of the original culture.

Acculturation

300

A state with a single centralized government.

Unitary state

300

A boundary that develops along cultural lines.

Consequent boundary

300

The transfer of power to regional governments.

Devolution

400

When a cultural trait adapts as it spreads, combining with local traditions.

Stimulus Diffusion

400

A language that develops from the blending of multiple languages and is spoken as a native language by a population.

Creole

400

A country made up of multiple cultural groups.

Multinational state

400

A boundary drawn before an area is heavily populated.

Antecedent boundary

400

The movement to unite people of the same culture or ethnicity under one state.

Irredentism

500

Explain how globalization has accelerated cultural diffusion and give one example.

EX. Increased connectivity through technology and trade spreading ideas faster (answers vary)

500

Explain the difference between universalizing and ethnic religions with one example of each.

EX. Universalizing religions seek other members (e.g., Christianity), while ethnic religions are tied to one group/place (e.g., Hinduism) (answers vary)

500

Explain the difference between a nation and a state, including the term for when they overlap.

EX. A nation is a cultural group, a state is a political unit (country), and a nation-state is when they align (one nation in one state).

500

Explain the impact of superimposed boundaries and give an example.

EX. Superimposed boundaries ignore cultural differences, often causing conflict. Example: borders created during the Berlin Conference (answers vary)

500

An organization made up of multiple states that cooperate on political, economic, or cultural issues, often giving up some sovereignty.

Supranational organizations