Conflict Between States

Multistate NationsEx: Romania and Hungary are two separate

states with overlapping nations. Transylvania is currently within Romania, but

includes both Romanians and Hungarians.Both H. & R. have the desire to control the

territory. George White describes “Nations will defend their

territories as strongly as they defend their language, religion, or way of life.”

Stateless NationsPalestine is a Stateless Nation, they hold control

over the Gaza Strip and some of the West Bank.

Their people live in other states such as Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, etc. and the lands they do occupy are not recognized as a state.

Kurds are a larger nation without a state.

The KurdsThe Kurds are a non-Arab people who generally

practice Sunni Muslim. Their language is related to Persian.

Traditionally they were a nomadic people moving through the Caucasus Mountains. Due to their lack of state-hood and subjugation by other states (namely Turkey) they have had to abandon their nomadic way of life.

From WashingtonPost.com“During the early 20th century, Kurds began to

consider the concept of nationalism, a notion introduced by the British amid the division of traditional Kurdistan among neighboring countries. The 1920 Treaty of Sevres, which created the modern states of Iraq, Syria and Kuwait, was to have included the possibility of a Kurdish state in the region. However, it was never implemented. After the overthrow of the Turkish monarchy by Kemal Ataturk, Turkey, Iran and Iraq each agreed not to recognize an independent Kurdish state.”

TurksThe Turks treated the Kurds the most poorly.

They were called "Mountain Turks," outlawing their language and forbidding them to wear traditional Kurdish costumes in the cities.

Capitalism and Colonialism

Colonialism allowed Europe to extract wealth and resources form subservient colonies.

This allowed Europe to become dominant in the world economy.

In fact, the creation of a world economy is the direct result of colonialism and the knitting together of widely separated areas.

World Systems TheoryWallerstein

1. World economy has one market and a global division of labor.

2. Although there are multiple states, everything takes place in the context of the world economy.

3. The world economy has a 3 tiered structure.

According to Wallerstein the creation of the world economy occurred with the start of capitalism.

CapitalizationThe advancement of capitalism has allowed

greater commidification to occur.This is the creation, pricing, marketing, and sale of

a product.The ability to purchase a bottle of water is an

example of commidification.

The economies of the world are highly tied together, there is no way to gain independence.

Shape of StatesThe shape of a state affects the length and

location of its border.

Borders can affect trade, conflict, and inter-state relationships in addition to internal structure and social unity. Chile v. the UK

Compact States These are states where

the distance from the center to any boundaries doesn’t vary much. Benefits: Good communication Short boundaries to

protect

Elongated States Long Narrow Shape:

Malawi, Chile, Italy, Gambia Can suffer from poor

communication Isolation

Prorupted States An otherwise compact

state with a projection.

These usually exist for one of two reasons: Access to a resource:

water Separating two states

that would otherwise share a border: Namibia

Perforated States A state that completely

surrounds another.

The state relies completely on the surrounding state for resources.

Fragmented States Several discontinuous

pieces of territory.

2 kinds: Separated by water:

Tanzania, Indonesia Separated by an

intervening state.

Landlocked StatesLacks a direct outlet to the sea: most common in

Africa (14/54 are landlocked)

What are some disadvantages of land-locked states?