David J. KeelingDavid J. KeelingWestern Kentucky University Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, Bowling Green,

KentuckyKentuckyAmerican Geographical American Geographical

Society Society

The Prevailing ParadoxThe Prevailing ParadoxGlobalization forces are creating a

more integrated world – greater economic interaction and more exposure to global culture

•At the same time, societies are seeking to affirm group identities and to determine their own socio-political destinies based around a territorial framework

Emerging Nations and StatesEmerging Nations and States● Historically, humans identified

along tribal, ethnic, or similar lines

● Concept of “nation-state” emerged in Europe- 1648 Peace of Westphalia

● Over time, territorial relationships were developed – attachment to a space or place

Agglomeration and FragmentationAgglomeration and FragmentationFrom tens of thousands of ethno-tribal groups, the

planet’s geopolitical makeup distilled by 1900 to around 55 political states (and any number of colonies and occupied territories (e.g. British India)

Since 1918, the number of political states (nation-states) has grown to over 200

Over 4,000 unique ethno-linguistic groups

http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/govt1900.htmhttp://users.erols.com/mwhite28/govt1900.htm

POLITICAL STATES IN 1902POLITICAL STATES IN 1902

POLITICAL STATES & REGIONS 2009POLITICAL STATES & REGIONS 2009

About 65% of Pop. = Democratic

About 25% = communist

About 10% = Military or Other

CASE STUDIES – INDIA & TANZANIACASE STUDIES – INDIA & TANZANIA

Hinduism and Colonialism

After Partition and Independence

Language

Religion

Ethnic Identity

Minority Status

Resource Access

Political Autonomy

Accessibility

Key Elements Key Elements of Nationalism of Nationalism

and Identityand Identity

ETHNO-LINGUISTIC DIFFERENCES AND SOCIAL RUPTUREETHNO-LINGUISTIC DIFFERENCES AND SOCIAL RUPTURE

TERRITORIAL CLAIMS AS A BASIS FOR CONFLICTSTERRITORIAL CLAIMS AS A BASIS FOR CONFLICTS

KASHMIRKASHMIRStruggle for control over territory, determination of identity, and right of “self determination”

Similar identity issues face the people of CambodiaSimilar identity issues face the people of Cambodia

Artificial States

Afghanistan,

Iraq,

and many

African states

are the product

of colonial

territorial

decisions

IRAQ’S IRAQ’S RELIGIOUS RELIGIOUS DIVISIONSDIVISIONS

How can a “national” identity be created out of multiple religious, ethnic, and linguistic identities?

TANZANIA’S COMPLEXITYTANZANIA’S COMPLEXITY

WHAT ARE SOME IMPLICATIONS?WHAT ARE SOME IMPLICATIONS?Bloody State Collapse, as in Yugoslavia in the 1990sConflict-Free Divorce between Slovakia and Czechia

DIASPORIC AND STATELESS PEOPLESDIASPORIC AND STATELESS PEOPLES

DISPLACED PEOPLESDISPLACED PEOPLES

Devolution or Autonomy?Devolution or Autonomy?

Nunavik Territory,Canada

Pan-Celtic Region

Nationalism versus Globalization?Nationalism versus Globalization?

Political Political UnificationUnificationCreation of a unified Italy and Germany in the 19th Century

Reunification of East and West Germany

Possible Reunification of North and South Korea

A United States of Europe?

Is Global Democracy Is Global Democracy Achievable?Achievable?

Can Conflictive Nationalism Can Conflictive Nationalism be Eliminated?be Eliminated?

THANK THANK YOU!YOU!

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