Types of Political Entities
This term describes a group of people that are united by one or more shared characteristics (ex: language, religion, culture)
Nation
This boundary is determined by a line of latitude or longitude
Geometric Boundary
This is the sense of connection people feel to their land, ultimately shaping political behavior.
Territoriality
A country is struggling with separatist movements in multiple regions. The national government decides to give limited legislative authority to those regions in hopes of reducing tensions. This shift is known as this process.
Devolution
Describe supranationalism. Give examples of supranational organizations
When multiple countries form an organization for shared goals such as economic or military cooperation (EU, UN, NATO)
This is a group of people that do not have full sovereignty over their territory. (Ex: The Kurds)
Stateless Nation
Meetings such as the Berlin Conference created these types of boundaries in order to act on imperialist desires.
Superimposed Boundaries
Describe the concept of a chokepoint. Make sure to give a modern example.
a narrow passage, strategic location, or point of congestion that restricts the flow of people, goods, or forces (Strait of Hormuz)
This devolutionary force occurs when a country claims territory in another country due to shared ethnic or historical ties—such as Russia’s interest in Crimea.
Irredentism
Explain how joining a supranational organization can limit a country’s sovereignty.
Giving up decision making power
Describe the difference between a multistate nation and a multinational state
Multinational state has two or more distinct nations, multistate nation is one contiguous nation that is spread across two or more state lines.
Gerrymandering involves redrawing these, ultimately influencing the outcome of elections at various scales
Voting Districts
Why might Eastern Europe be considered a shatterbelt?
Legacy of cold war, ethnic conflict, etc.
Although extreme, this devolutionary factor occurs when one ethnic group forcibly removes another to create a homogenous region.
Ethnic Cleansing
A boundary created after an area is settled, usually to accommodate cultural differences, is this type.
Subsequent Boundary
What is the difference between an enclave and an exclave? List examples of both.
Enclave: Territory that is entirely surrounded by the territory of only one other state or entity. (Vatican)
Exclave: Territory that is part of a state, but is separated by a foreign territory (Azerbaijan)
What is the difference between defined and delimited boundaries?
Defined: written on legal documents
Delimited: drawn on a map
This advantage of a unitary government helps national leaders coordinate responses quickly during natural disasters or public health crises.
Centralized/Consistent Decision Making
This occurs when a state breaks apart due to internal conflict, often along ethnic lines.
Balkanization
This electoral term describes districts redrawn to pack opposition voters into as few districts as possible.
Packing
Why is Japan considered one of the strongest examples of a nation-state?
Because it has a culturally homogeneous population with a strong national identity
Why do relic boundaries still matter politically even after they no longer function? Use a specific example in your explanation
Because they leave cultural and political impacts on an area (Ex: Great Wall of China or Berlin Wall)
This is one reason why large, culturally diverse states—such as India or the United States—often adopt this type of political system rather than a unitary one.
To give autonomy to distinct cultural or regional groups and prevent centrifugal forces
A multinational state experiences rising demands for autonomy from one region. The region is ethnically distinct, economically more productive than the rest of the state, and geographically peripheral. Identify two devolutionary factors present and explain how they interact to intensify centrifugal forces.
Ethnic separatism and economic issues
A state invests heavily in nationwide infrastructure projects—such as high-speed rail, highway systems, and digital connectivity—at the same time that regional cultural groups begin revitalizing their traditional languages and demanding greater recognition. Identify one centripetal force and one centrifugal force in this scenario, and explain how they could simultaneously shape the state’s political stability.
Open-ended