key issue #2 – where are boundaries drawn between states? how does shape effect a state?
TRANSCRIPT
A state is separated from its neighbors by a boundary, an invisible line marking the extent of a state’s territory. Boundaries result from a
combination of natural physical features (rivers, deserts, or mountains) and cultural features (language or religion).
Boundaries completely surround an individual state to mark the outer limits of its territorial control and to give it a distinctive shape.
SHAPES OF STATES
The shape of a state controls the length of its boundaries with other states. It is part of its unique identity (think Italy). Beyond its value as a centripetal force, the shape of a
state can influence the ease or difficulty of internal administration and can affect unity.
Each shape displays distinctive characteristics and problems…
Compact States
BENEFITSIn a compact state, the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly.
Ease of communicationEasy to defend
EXAMPLES
Burundi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Uruguay
DOWNFALLSTo be identified as a compact state means to be fairly small in size
May be scarce in natural resources (not a catch all!)
May lack population needed for labor, protection
Prorupted States
BENEFITS(1)a proruption can provide
access to a resource, such as water.
(2)proruptions can separate two states that would otherwise border each
other.
EXAMPLES
Thailand, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Afghanistan, Myanmar
DOWNFALLS(1) May be difficult to govern regions of proruptions
(2) May be difficult to protect prorupted region
Elongated States
BENEFITS
(1)Less land to protect?(2)May have access to more
resources from different regions
EXAMPLES
Chile, Norway, Italy, Gambia, Vietnam, Laos
DOWNFALLS(1)poor internal
communication?(2)Difficult to protect(3)A region located at an
extreme end of the elongation might be isolated from the capital, which is usually situated at the center.
Fragmented States
BENEFITS
(1)Local ethnicities/nationalities can maintain a large degree of
independence
EXAMPLES
Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, the Bahamas,
India, Panama
DOWNFALLS(1)Difficult to protect(2)Difficult to mandate national
level laws/ordinances(3)Political conflict if separated
by another state(4)Communication hindered(5)Transportation of goods
difficult
Perforated States
BENEFITS
(1)??????
EXAMPLES
South Africa, Vatican City
DOWNFALLS(1)Unrest in the state creating
the perforation can carry into the perforated state
(2)Negative for the state inside because they must depend on the surrounding state for imports/exports
Landlocked States
A landlocked state lacks a direct outlet to the sea because it is completely surrounded by several other countries. Landlocked states are most common in Africa (14). Direct access to the ocean is critical because it
facilitates international trade. To send and receive goods by the sea, a landlocked state must arrange to use another country’s seaport.
Depending on the relationship with other countries, this may not always be possible.
TYPES OF BOUNDARIES
Historically, frontiers rather than boundaries separated states. A frontier is a zone where no state exercises complete political control. A frontier is tangible, whereas a border is invisible. A frontier provides a buffer between states, whereas a border
brings neighbors into direct contact, increasing the potential for violence.
Almost universally, frontiers have been replaced by borders.
The only places remaining with frontiers are Antarctica and the Arabian Peninsula.
Physical Boundaries
Physical features make suitable boundaries because they can be seen. There are 3 types of physical boundaries:
Mountain Boundaries – Are only effective if they’re difficult to cross. They sometimes isolate nationalities on either side of the mountains.
Desert Boundaries – A boundary drawn in a desert can also effectively divide two states. Like mountains, deserts are hard to cross and are sparsely inhabited.
Water boundaries – Rivers, lakes, and oceans are the physical features most commonly used as physical boundaries. Water boundaries are visible on a map and are relatively unchanging. They also offer good protection.
Cultural Boundaries
The boundaries between some states coincide with differences in ethnicity or can they be straight lines. Geometric Boundaries – These boundaries are
usually fixed according to a line of latitude. The US and Canada share a 1,300 mile border along 49º North latitude. This treaty was established in 1846 between the US and Britain.
Religious Boundaries – Religious differences often coincide with boundaries between states, but in only a few cases has the religion been used to set the actual border. The best example is when Britain partitioned India due to the predominantly Muslim areas in the west (present day Pakistan).
Language Boundaries – Language has been an important characteristic for drawing boundaries, especially in Europe. France, England, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Italy all came together because of language.
Language Barriers continued…
• After WWI, the victors sat down to redraw the map of Europe. One of the most important criterions used to create new states in Europe was language.• The conference was particularly troubled by Eastern and
Southern Europe, areas that were plagued by political instability.
• Most of the areas created stood for several decades. Later, despite speaking similar languages, Czechs and Slovaks found they couldn’t live together, as did the Croats, Macedonians, Serbs, and Slovenes. The breakup of these countries created a huge change in Eastern Europe.
The Geography of Representation
Electoral geographyCensus,
Reapportionment, Redistricting Gerrymandering (practice
of drawing boundaries of legislative districts so as to unfairly favor one political party over another). GOAL: To earn the most
seats in the U.S. House of Representatives from your state
Forms of Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania?
Wasted Vote- Spread opposition supporters across many districts but in the minority (also called “cracking” districts)
Excess Vote- Concentrate opposition supporters into a few districts (also called “packing” districts)Stacked Vote- Links distant areas of like
minded voters through oddly shaped boundaries
All key powers to the central or national government (it is not the only level of government) That government
creates other local, state, or provincial governments and gives them limited sovereignty
Examples? Chile, China, Cuba,
SyriaOligarchies Absolute Monarchies
Unitary systems work best in these forms of government…
Theocracies
Authoritarian Dictatorships
Central Government
(Power exists here)
Local/State Government
(LimitedPower)
Local/State Government
(LimitedPower)
Local/State Government
(Limited Power)
Divides the powers of government between the national government and the state or provincial governments
Each level of government has sovereignty in some areas
Examples? United States, Brazil, India, South Africa
Federal (CentralGovernment)
Specified Powers
State/Local Government
Specified Powers
State/Local Government
Specified Powers
State/Local Government
Specified Powers
Federal Systems work best in these forms of government…
Indirect Democracies
Constitutional Monarchies