8 min read•january 12, 2023
Riya Patel
Amanda DoAmaral
Riya Patel
Amanda DoAmaral
Political geography is the study of the political organization of the world, including the boundaries and power relations between states, the role of international organizations, and the ways in which political processes and events shape and are shaped by spatial patterns. Political geographers also study the distribution of power and resources within states, including issues related to governance, democracy, and territoriality.
Political geography is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of topics and approaches, including comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and spatial analysis. Political geographers often use tools from other disciplines, such as economics, sociology, and anthropology, to better understand the political dynamics of different regions and countries.
Political geography is closely related to other subfields of geography, such as economic geography and human geography, and it is often studied in conjunction with these fields to better understand the complex relationships between political, economic, and social processes.
Here are some examples of topics that might be studied in political geography:
What is a State? Watch everything explained with Dustin Fowler
A state is a political entity made up of a group of people living within defined borders, who have a government and are organized as a unit with the power to make and enforce laws. In international relations, a state is a sovereign, self-governing political entity recognized as such by other states. States are the primary actors in the international system, and they have a number of rights and responsibilities under international law. States are usually divided into smaller units such as provinces or counties, and they may have a federal system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments.
Here are some examples of states:
A nation is a large group of people who share a common language, culture, history, and identity, and who often live within defined borders. The term "nation" is often used to refer to a sovereign state, but it can also be used to describe a group of people who do not have their own state but who share a common identity. The concept of nation is closely related to the idea of nationality, which refers to the legal relationship between an individual and a state, and to the rights and duties that come with that relationship.
A nation-state is a sovereign state in which the majority of the population shares a common language, culture, history, and identity, and in which the government represents the interests of that nation. Nation-states are a relatively modern concept, and they are often characterized by strong central governments and a sense of national unity.
A multinational state is a state that consists of two or more nations within its borders. This can happen when two or more distinct nations come together to form a new state, or when a state expands its borders through colonization or conquest and incorporates multiple nations within its borders. Multinational states can be challenging to govern because they often have to balance the interests of multiple nations and deal with issues related to national identity and self-determination.
A stateless nation is a group of people who share a common language, culture, history, and identity, but who do not have their own sovereign state. Stateless nations may seek self-determination and the creation of their own state, or they may seek autonomy or greater political, cultural, and economic rights within the state in which they live.
Multistate nations refer to a group of people who share a common identity, culture, and often history, but are dispersed across multiple countries or states. These groups of people may have their own distinct customs, languages, and traditions, but they are united by a shared sense of belonging. They may also have political or social organizations that represent their interests and advocate for their rights in the countries or states where they reside.
🎥 Watch: AP HUG - What's a state?
Anthropology
: Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, human behavior and societies in the past and present. It explores different cultures and draws conclusions about societal norms across time periods.Autonomy
: Autonomy refers to self-government; it’s when an area has control over its own affairs independently from an external authority.Border Disputes
: Border disputes refer to disagreements between countries, states, or territories over the ownership or control of a particular geographical area.Boundaries
: Boundaries are invisible lines that mark the extent of a state's territory and separate it from other states or from international waters.Central Government
: The central government is the political authority that governs an entire nation. It's responsible for making national laws, maintaining national security, and carrying out nationwide policies.Central Governments
: A central government is the governing body of a nation that operates at the highest level of political authority. It has the power to make laws, decisions, and guidelines for every part of a country.Colonization
: Colonization is the process by which a central system of power dominates the surrounding land and its components. It often involves the establishment of colonies in another country or territory.Comparative Politics
: Comparative politics is the study and comparison of domestic politics across countries such as their systems, policies and political structures.Conquest
: Conquest refers to acquiring control over a place or people by military force.Counties
: Counties are administrative divisions within states/provinces in certain countries. They usually have some level of governmental authority at local levels below state/province level.Cultural Rights
: Cultural rights are the rights of each person, individually and collectively, to develop and express their humanity, their culture, language and world view.Culture
: Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that members of a society use to cope with their world and with one another.Customs
: Customs are established practices that are followed by members of a community and form part of their cultural or social norms.Economic Geography
: Economic geography is the study of how people earn their living, how livelihood systems vary by area, and how economic activities are spatially interrelated and linked.Economic Rights
: Economic rights are part of human rights based on the premise that all people should have a certain minimum standard of living and access to basic services such as food, housing, education, health care etc.Economics
: Economics is the social science that studies how individuals, governments, firms, and nations make choices on allocating scarce resources to satisfy their unlimited wants.Elections
: Elections are formal decision-making processes where individuals choose representatives or vote on policies through casting votes.Electoral Votes
: Electoral votes are votes cast by members of the electoral college in U.S presidential elections. Each state has a certain number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress.Federal System of Government
: A federal system of government is a type of political structure where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units. In this system, both the national government and the smaller political subdivisions have powers that are unique to them.Foreign Investment
: Foreign investment involves companies or individuals from one country putting money into businesses, real estate, or other types of investments in another country.Government Funding
: Government funding refers to the financial resources that a government allocates for specific purposes such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and defense.History
: History refers to the study of past events, particularly in human affairs. It's a chronological record of significant occurrences (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes.Human Geography
: Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on understanding the world's culture communities in terms of spatial relationships. It studies patterns related to human activity including population distribution, cultural traits, political organization etc.Identity
: Identity refers to how individuals perceive themselves and are recognized or regarded by others. It can be influenced by personal choices and societal expectations, encompassing aspects like gender, nationality, ethnicity, profession etc.International Organizations
: These are entities established by formal agreements between different countries that operate across international boundaries. They may be either NGOs like Greenpeace or intergovernmental like United Nations (UN).International Relations
: International relations is the study of how countries interact with each other. It involves understanding political, economic, and social issues on a global scale.Language
: Language is a complex system of communication used by humans to express thoughts, feelings, ideas, and experiences. It can be spoken, written, signed (as in sign language), or even expressed through art forms like music and dance.Legal Relationship
: A legal relationship is a connection between two or more entities that is governed by law. It outlines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations each party has towards the other(s).Multinational State
: A multinational state is one that contains two or more nations within its borders. These nations share political power but maintain distinct cultural identities.Multistate Nations
: A multistate nation is a group of people who share a common characteristic (such as ethnicity, language, religion, etc.) and inhabit multiple states.Nation
: A nation is a group of people who share common cultural characteristics and identify as a cohesive group. They often, but not always, inhabit the same geographic region.Nation-State
: A nation-state is a political entity characterized by having a defined territory with borders recognized internationally; it's inhabited predominantly by people sharing common cultural traits such as language or religion who are governed by the same political authority.National Unity
: National unity refers to citizens' sense of belonging and solidarity towards their nation, leading them to work together for common goals despite their differences.Nationality
: Nationality refers to the status of belonging to a particular nation by origin, birth, or naturalization. It's a legal relationship between an individual and a country.Natural Resources
: Natural resources are materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain. They include water, soil, minerals, forests etc.Political Geography
: Political geography is the study of the ways geographic space is organized within and by political processes.Political Organizations
: Political organizations are structured groups that exist primarily for influencing public policy and government decisions.Political Rights
: Political rights are the rights that involve participation in the establishment or administration of a government, such as the right to vote or run for public office.Political Theory
: Political theory is a branch of political science that studies ideas related to politics, such as democracy, justice, freedom, and power.Power Relations
: Power relations refer to the social structure of power or authority among interacting people. In terms of geography, this could mean how power is distributed geographically among nations or regions.Provinces
: Provinces are geographical areas within a country that have their own local government but are subordinate to the central government.Regional Governments
: Regional governments are the governing bodies that operate at a sub-national level, such as states, provinces, or territories. They have powers and responsibilities specific to their region.Revolutions
: Revolutions are fundamental and often sudden changes in political power or organizational structures that occur when the population revolts against the government.Rights and Duties
: Rights refer to entitlements or privileges granted by an authority such as the government. Duties are responsibilities or tasks that an individual is expected to perform or fulfill.Self-Determination
: Self-determination is the process by which a group of people, usually territorial entities, assert themselves as having control over their own destiny, particularly in terms of their political status and government.Sense of Belonging
: A sense of belonging refers to an individual's feeling of being valued, needed, and accepted within a community or group.Social Organizations
: Social organizations are structured groups of individuals bound together by shared goals, norms, or purposes.Sociology
: Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. It's an overarching unification of all studies of humanity, including history, psychology, and economics.Sovereign Entity
: A sovereign entity is a political body that has ultimate authority over its territory and population. It can make laws, enforce them, and establish its own foreign policy.Spatial Analysis
: Spatial analysis is a type of geographical analysis which seeks to explain patterns of human behavior and its spatial expression in terms of mathematics and geometry, that is, locational analysis.Spatial Patterns
: Spatial patterns refer to how things are grouped or arranged on the Earth’s surface.Stateless Nation
: A stateless nation refers to a cultural group that does not possess its own sovereign state or territory. This means they are a nationality without a nation.Territorial Disputes
: Territorial disputes are conflicts between countries or regions over the ownership or control of land areas.Trade
: Trade refers to the exchange of goods and services between countries.Traditions
: Traditions are long-established customs or beliefs that have been passed on from one generation to another.Wars
: Wars are conflicts carried out by force between nations or groups within a nation.8 min read•january 12, 2023
Riya Patel
Amanda DoAmaral
Riya Patel
Amanda DoAmaral
Political geography is the study of the political organization of the world, including the boundaries and power relations between states, the role of international organizations, and the ways in which political processes and events shape and are shaped by spatial patterns. Political geographers also study the distribution of power and resources within states, including issues related to governance, democracy, and territoriality.
Political geography is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of topics and approaches, including comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and spatial analysis. Political geographers often use tools from other disciplines, such as economics, sociology, and anthropology, to better understand the political dynamics of different regions and countries.
Political geography is closely related to other subfields of geography, such as economic geography and human geography, and it is often studied in conjunction with these fields to better understand the complex relationships between political, economic, and social processes.
Here are some examples of topics that might be studied in political geography:
What is a State? Watch everything explained with Dustin Fowler
A state is a political entity made up of a group of people living within defined borders, who have a government and are organized as a unit with the power to make and enforce laws. In international relations, a state is a sovereign, self-governing political entity recognized as such by other states. States are the primary actors in the international system, and they have a number of rights and responsibilities under international law. States are usually divided into smaller units such as provinces or counties, and they may have a federal system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments.
Here are some examples of states:
A nation is a large group of people who share a common language, culture, history, and identity, and who often live within defined borders. The term "nation" is often used to refer to a sovereign state, but it can also be used to describe a group of people who do not have their own state but who share a common identity. The concept of nation is closely related to the idea of nationality, which refers to the legal relationship between an individual and a state, and to the rights and duties that come with that relationship.
A nation-state is a sovereign state in which the majority of the population shares a common language, culture, history, and identity, and in which the government represents the interests of that nation. Nation-states are a relatively modern concept, and they are often characterized by strong central governments and a sense of national unity.
A multinational state is a state that consists of two or more nations within its borders. This can happen when two or more distinct nations come together to form a new state, or when a state expands its borders through colonization or conquest and incorporates multiple nations within its borders. Multinational states can be challenging to govern because they often have to balance the interests of multiple nations and deal with issues related to national identity and self-determination.
A stateless nation is a group of people who share a common language, culture, history, and identity, but who do not have their own sovereign state. Stateless nations may seek self-determination and the creation of their own state, or they may seek autonomy or greater political, cultural, and economic rights within the state in which they live.
Multistate nations refer to a group of people who share a common identity, culture, and often history, but are dispersed across multiple countries or states. These groups of people may have their own distinct customs, languages, and traditions, but they are united by a shared sense of belonging. They may also have political or social organizations that represent their interests and advocate for their rights in the countries or states where they reside.
🎥 Watch: AP HUG - What's a state?
Anthropology
: Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, human behavior and societies in the past and present. It explores different cultures and draws conclusions about societal norms across time periods.Autonomy
: Autonomy refers to self-government; it’s when an area has control over its own affairs independently from an external authority.Border Disputes
: Border disputes refer to disagreements between countries, states, or territories over the ownership or control of a particular geographical area.Boundaries
: Boundaries are invisible lines that mark the extent of a state's territory and separate it from other states or from international waters.Central Government
: The central government is the political authority that governs an entire nation. It's responsible for making national laws, maintaining national security, and carrying out nationwide policies.Central Governments
: A central government is the governing body of a nation that operates at the highest level of political authority. It has the power to make laws, decisions, and guidelines for every part of a country.Colonization
: Colonization is the process by which a central system of power dominates the surrounding land and its components. It often involves the establishment of colonies in another country or territory.Comparative Politics
: Comparative politics is the study and comparison of domestic politics across countries such as their systems, policies and political structures.Conquest
: Conquest refers to acquiring control over a place or people by military force.Counties
: Counties are administrative divisions within states/provinces in certain countries. They usually have some level of governmental authority at local levels below state/province level.Cultural Rights
: Cultural rights are the rights of each person, individually and collectively, to develop and express their humanity, their culture, language and world view.Culture
: Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that members of a society use to cope with their world and with one another.Customs
: Customs are established practices that are followed by members of a community and form part of their cultural or social norms.Economic Geography
: Economic geography is the study of how people earn their living, how livelihood systems vary by area, and how economic activities are spatially interrelated and linked.Economic Rights
: Economic rights are part of human rights based on the premise that all people should have a certain minimum standard of living and access to basic services such as food, housing, education, health care etc.Economics
: Economics is the social science that studies how individuals, governments, firms, and nations make choices on allocating scarce resources to satisfy their unlimited wants.Elections
: Elections are formal decision-making processes where individuals choose representatives or vote on policies through casting votes.Electoral Votes
: Electoral votes are votes cast by members of the electoral college in U.S presidential elections. Each state has a certain number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress.Federal System of Government
: A federal system of government is a type of political structure where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units. In this system, both the national government and the smaller political subdivisions have powers that are unique to them.Foreign Investment
: Foreign investment involves companies or individuals from one country putting money into businesses, real estate, or other types of investments in another country.Government Funding
: Government funding refers to the financial resources that a government allocates for specific purposes such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and defense.History
: History refers to the study of past events, particularly in human affairs. It's a chronological record of significant occurrences (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes.Human Geography
: Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on understanding the world's culture communities in terms of spatial relationships. It studies patterns related to human activity including population distribution, cultural traits, political organization etc.Identity
: Identity refers to how individuals perceive themselves and are recognized or regarded by others. It can be influenced by personal choices and societal expectations, encompassing aspects like gender, nationality, ethnicity, profession etc.International Organizations
: These are entities established by formal agreements between different countries that operate across international boundaries. They may be either NGOs like Greenpeace or intergovernmental like United Nations (UN).International Relations
: International relations is the study of how countries interact with each other. It involves understanding political, economic, and social issues on a global scale.Language
: Language is a complex system of communication used by humans to express thoughts, feelings, ideas, and experiences. It can be spoken, written, signed (as in sign language), or even expressed through art forms like music and dance.Legal Relationship
: A legal relationship is a connection between two or more entities that is governed by law. It outlines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations each party has towards the other(s).Multinational State
: A multinational state is one that contains two or more nations within its borders. These nations share political power but maintain distinct cultural identities.Multistate Nations
: A multistate nation is a group of people who share a common characteristic (such as ethnicity, language, religion, etc.) and inhabit multiple states.Nation
: A nation is a group of people who share common cultural characteristics and identify as a cohesive group. They often, but not always, inhabit the same geographic region.Nation-State
: A nation-state is a political entity characterized by having a defined territory with borders recognized internationally; it's inhabited predominantly by people sharing common cultural traits such as language or religion who are governed by the same political authority.National Unity
: National unity refers to citizens' sense of belonging and solidarity towards their nation, leading them to work together for common goals despite their differences.Nationality
: Nationality refers to the status of belonging to a particular nation by origin, birth, or naturalization. It's a legal relationship between an individual and a country.Natural Resources
: Natural resources are materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain. They include water, soil, minerals, forests etc.Political Geography
: Political geography is the study of the ways geographic space is organized within and by political processes.Political Organizations
: Political organizations are structured groups that exist primarily for influencing public policy and government decisions.Political Rights
: Political rights are the rights that involve participation in the establishment or administration of a government, such as the right to vote or run for public office.Political Theory
: Political theory is a branch of political science that studies ideas related to politics, such as democracy, justice, freedom, and power.Power Relations
: Power relations refer to the social structure of power or authority among interacting people. In terms of geography, this could mean how power is distributed geographically among nations or regions.Provinces
: Provinces are geographical areas within a country that have their own local government but are subordinate to the central government.Regional Governments
: Regional governments are the governing bodies that operate at a sub-national level, such as states, provinces, or territories. They have powers and responsibilities specific to their region.Revolutions
: Revolutions are fundamental and often sudden changes in political power or organizational structures that occur when the population revolts against the government.Rights and Duties
: Rights refer to entitlements or privileges granted by an authority such as the government. Duties are responsibilities or tasks that an individual is expected to perform or fulfill.Self-Determination
: Self-determination is the process by which a group of people, usually territorial entities, assert themselves as having control over their own destiny, particularly in terms of their political status and government.Sense of Belonging
: A sense of belonging refers to an individual's feeling of being valued, needed, and accepted within a community or group.Social Organizations
: Social organizations are structured groups of individuals bound together by shared goals, norms, or purposes.Sociology
: Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. It's an overarching unification of all studies of humanity, including history, psychology, and economics.Sovereign Entity
: A sovereign entity is a political body that has ultimate authority over its territory and population. It can make laws, enforce them, and establish its own foreign policy.Spatial Analysis
: Spatial analysis is a type of geographical analysis which seeks to explain patterns of human behavior and its spatial expression in terms of mathematics and geometry, that is, locational analysis.Spatial Patterns
: Spatial patterns refer to how things are grouped or arranged on the Earth’s surface.Stateless Nation
: A stateless nation refers to a cultural group that does not possess its own sovereign state or territory. This means they are a nationality without a nation.Territorial Disputes
: Territorial disputes are conflicts between countries or regions over the ownership or control of land areas.Trade
: Trade refers to the exchange of goods and services between countries.Traditions
: Traditions are long-established customs or beliefs that have been passed on from one generation to another.Wars
: Wars are conflicts carried out by force between nations or groups within a nation.© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
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