Political Cooperation and ConflictAP Human Geography

Overview•In many cases, states are FRAGILE!•Some states are held together by strong

CENTRIPETAL FORCES•While others are fractured by

CENTRIFUGAL FORCES•Throughout history, borders have shifted

and they continue to do so today.•In fact, most of the maps in your textbook

(printed in 2010) are already out of date!▫The country of Sudan broke into 2 in 2011.

Centripetal/ Centrifugal ForcesCentripetal Forces- hold states together

Centrifugal Forces- pull states apart

•Nationalism (flags, anthems, strong govt)

•Similar culture (religion, language, ethnicity, shared past, sports)

•Compact shape, good transport and communication

•Separatist movements

•Weak national govt.• Internal boundary

conflicts•Cultural differences

(religion, ethnicity, lang)

•Physical barriers, frag. or elong. states

Rugby and Mandela: Post-Apartheid Centripetal Forces in South Africa

Flags of South Africa, old and new

Separatism in Spain: A centrifugal force

Yugoslavia and Balkanization• The former Yugoslavia is an excellent example of a

multi-ethnic country that broke apart into many smaller nation-states.

• Where? Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe, north of Greece)

• When? Yugoslavia was created after WWI.• Who? Many ethnic groups, inc. Bosnians, Albanians,

Croats, Serbians, Slovenes. Also, different religions (Christianity, Islam) and languages.

• On paper, a recipe for conflict.

The Balkan Region

Yugoslavia and Balkanization• Yugoslavia was held together by a strong dictator

(centripetal force), Joseph (Josip) Tito from 1953-1980.• Tito kept the various ethnic/ religious group from

fighting each other. • After Tito’s death in 1980, various groups began

fighting for power and land, resulting in war and genocide (ethnic cleansing)

• The break up of a state into many smaller states based on ethnic divisions is known as balkanization.

• Today, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herz, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Macedonia are all independent nation-states.

Two Views of Yugoslavia

The Former Yugoslavia (Balkans) Today

Separatist Movements in Europe

Quebec •A province of Canada

•80% French speaking

•The rest of Canada is 90% English speaking.

•Generally not violent.

East Timor, Indonesia

•Indonesia is a fragmented state.

•Half of the Island of Timor

•Predominantly Catholic

•Became independent in 2002.

Russia and Chechnya

•Chechnya is region in Russia

•Chechens want independence from Russia.

•Has resulted in fighting, including a terrorist attack in 2002, leaving 130 dead.

Korea

•Divided into Communist North Korea and pro-Western South Korea.

•Both groups are ethnically Korean.

•Desire to re-unite.

China and Taiwan•Taiwan is a island off

the coast of China. •Following

Communist Revolution in China, non-Coms fled to Taiwan.

•China sees Taiwan as a part of China; Taiwan claims independence.

India/ Pakistan

•Kashmir is a region between India and Pakistan.

•Region is heavily Muslim (75%)

•Temporary border is agreed upon, but no official border.

Alsace/ Lorraine • Regions between

Germany and France.• Historically, claimed

by both France and Germany.

• Today controlled by France.

• Peaceful, in large part to the European Union.

Spain

•2 regions in Spain are seeking independence/ autonomy.

•Catalonia•Basque

Vermont

•Second Vermont Republic

•Group desires independence for Vermont from the U.S.

•Not a serious threat, but still…