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Human Geography
Jerome D. FellmannMark BjellandArthur GetisJudith Getis
Human Geography
Chapter 12
The Political Ordering of
Space
Insert figure 12.2
© Corbis RF
Human Geography 11e
Political Geography• The study of the organization and distribution of
political phenomena, including their impact on other spatial components of society and culture
• State and nation are not synonymous
• State– Independent political entity holding sovereignty over a
territory
• Nation– Community of people with a common culture and territory
Human Geography 11e
National Political Systems• Nation-States
– A state whose territorial extent coincides with that occupied by a distinct nation or people
• Stateless Nation– People without a state
• The Evolution of the Modern State– Developed by European political philosophers
in the 18th century– The concept that people owe alliance to a state
Human Geography 11e
Geographic Characteristics of States
– Size– Shape
• Can affect the well-being of a state by fostering or hindering effective organization
• The least efficient shape administratively is represented by the elongated state; part of the country far from the capital are likely to be isolated
• Fragmentation make it harder for the state to impose centralized control over its territory
– Location– Cores and Capitals
• The core is the original nucleus of a state and is the most developed area
Human Geography 11e
Boundaries• Boundaries: The
Limits of the State– Classification of
Boundaries• Natural boundaries
are those based on recognizable physiographic feature
• Geometric boundaries are frequently delimited as segments of parallels of latitude or meridians of longitude
Insert figure 12.13a
© PhotoLink/Getty RF
Human Geography 11e
Boundaries• Boundaries: The
Limits of the State– Subsequent
• Drawn after the development of the cultural landscape
– Superimposed• Forced on existing
cultural landscapes; can be the product of conquest
– Relict Boundary• A former boundary
that no longer functions
Insert figure 12.13b
© Corbis RF
Human Geography 11e
Centripetal Forces: Promoting State Cohesion
• Nationalism• Unifying Institutions• Organization and Administration• Transportation and Communication
Human Geography 11e
Centrifugal Forces: Challenges to State Authority
• Organized Religion• Nationalism
– Separatism– Devolution
• Regional Autonomous Movements
Insert figure 12.20a
Human Geography 11e
The Projection of Power• Geopolitical Assessments
– Mackinder• Heartland Theory• In 1904 Mackinder published an article titled
“The Geographical Pivot of History” in the Geographical Journal.
• He concluded that a land-based power in the heart of Eurasia, not a sea power, has better chances of ruling the world
Human Geography 11e
The Projection of Power• Geopolitical Assessments
– Alfred Mahan– Nicholas Spykman
• Rimland Theory– Containment– Domino Theory– Terrorism
Human Geography 11e
International Political Systems
• Supranationalism– Associations among states
• The United Nations and Its Agencies– Maritime boundaries– An International Law of the Sea
• Regional Alliances– Economic alliances– Military and political alliances
Human Geography 11e
Local and Regional Political Organization
• The Geography of Representation: The Districting Problem
• The Fragmentation of Political Power