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Welcome to Chapter 8 of Political Geography, where we delve into the concept of states, their locations, and the complexities involved in defining them. A state is an organized political unit with a government that controls its internal affairs, occupies defined territory, and has a permanent population. We will explore examples like Mexico and discuss contentious cases such as Korea, China and Taiwan, and Western Sahara. Understanding sovereignty and the development of state concepts from ancient city-states to modern European frameworks is crucial in grasping global politics today.
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Welcome to Chapter 8 Yes, we are switching to chapters instead of units. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
Where are states located? What are the problems defining a state? The “state” concept Key Issue 1
Here ya go, some definitions: • State • Four criteria • Organized into a political unit • Ruled by an established government • That government has control over its internal affairs • Occupies a defined territory • Contains a permanent population • Example: Mexico • Non-example: Kentucky
Another one… • Sovereignty • Just learn how to say it now: SOV-ERN-TEE • You might as well memorize how to spell it too • Independence from control of its internal affairs by other states • Freeee!!!! • Formal or uniform region • Its own government, laws, army, leaders
Q: Just how many states are there?A: There is no definite answerY: Why? Well I’ll tell you… • Korea • Used to be a colony of Japan • U.S. and Soviet Union got it after WWII and divided it into North and South • Two separate governments were formed ( and ) • North invaded South in the 1950s • North hasn’t made very good decisions • But… “Both Korean governments are committed to reuniting the country into one sovereign state”
Q: Just how many states are there?A: There is no definite answerY: Why? Well I’ll tell you… • China and Taiwan • Most say that they are two separate, sovereignties • China says it’s a part of China • In the 1940s the nationalists went to Taiwan to establish a government separate from the Communists during a civil war • Its been back and forth, the UN finally declared the communist government the “in” government in China • Taiwan is not a member of the U.N.
Q: Just how many states are there?A: There is no definite answerY: Why? Well I’ll tell you… • Western Sahara • Most Africans say its sovereign • Morocco claims it and built a big wall around to keep out the rebels • It has never really been totally sovereign • Morocco controls most of the area that is populated
Q: Just how many states are there?A: There is no definite answerY: Why? Well I’ll tell you… • The Polar Regions • South Pole • Ie. Antarctica • Overlapping and conflicting claims • Some recognized, some not! • The Antarctic Treaty • 1959 • Legal framework for managing Antarctica • Yes to scientists • No to military • North Pole • The Law of the Sea Treaty of 1982 – some territories overlap
Development of the State Concept Ancient The Fertile Crescent • Originated in the Middle East (Fertile Crescent) • Center for land and sea communications in ancient times • City-states came first • Sovereign state that= City+Surrounding countryside • City states that had surrounding power were called empires • Egypt and Mesopotamia
Development of the State Concept Modern European States Roman Empire • The Roman Empire controlled most of the ancient world (Eastern) • When the Roman Empire collapsed, the European portion was fragmented • Various kings, dukes, barons, etc. became leaders of different European estates
Colonies • Colony: territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state • They are not independent • Colonialism: The effort by one country to establish settlements in a territory • God, Gold, Glory • Imperialism: Control of territory already occupied and organized by indigenous society
