Political Geography

The study of Government Systems, Nation-States, & Boundaries

Types of Government Systems: Democracy

Democracy: rule by the people Greek origin Two basic principles – equality and freedom Voting is a major part of the democratic process (elections) A written system of laws and protections ensures freedoms

(Constitution) Republican or Representative Democracy = The people elect

other people to represent them and political view (U.S. Congress).

Democracy Index

The lighter the blue the more democratic freedom. Black represents little to no democratic freedom. What countries or regions have more freedom? What countries or regions have little to no democratic freedom?

Types of Government Systems: Monarchy

Monarchy: Rule by one (King, Queen, Emperor) Single person known as a ”monarch” at its head. Monarchies were once common throughout the world, but now they are

rare. Monarchs generally reign for life. Also, most monarchies are hereditary.

When the monarch dies, a son, daughter, or other relative becomes the next monarch.

In an absolute monarchy, the monarch rules with unlimited power. A constitutional, or limited, monarchy has an elected government that

runs the country. In this case, the monarch has very little power. (United Kingdom).

Types of Government Systems: Theocracy

Theocracy = country governed by religious law Government officials are representatives of a religious

deity–Can be selected by “divine choice” or heredity

Examples: Iran & Saudi Arabia

Types of Government Systems: Dictatorship vs. Totalitarian

• Totalitarian regimes are characterized by a single party rule whereas dictatorships are characterized by rule of a single person.

• Totalitarian governments have no limits to their authority and exercise great influence over the lives of their citizens.

Types of Government Systems: Dictatorship vs. Totalitarian

Dictatorship is a political system where a single person or a small group of people have all the power to control people.

• In dictatorship, there is no consent of the people to rule them whereas, in totalitarian regimes, people accept one party rule as a better form of governance.

• Dictatorship is defined by where the power comes from whereas totalitarianism is defined by the scope of the government.

North Korea (Dictator = Kim Jong-Un; Totalitarian = Communist Party). Nazi Germany (Dictator = Adolf Hitler; Totalitarian = Nazi Party).

DO NOWType of Government Definition in your own words

Democracy

Monarchy

Theocracy

Dictatorship

Totalitarian

Government Activity Government 1) Pick your government type 2) Decide on the structure of the government (who is

in charge?) 3) Write laws 4) Share your government with the class

Political Geography

State, Nation, Nation-State, & Geopolitics(Who the heck cares?)

Political GeographyStates and Nations: this two words are used

differently by political scientist.A State is a political unit that occupies a

precisely defined, permanently populated territory.

It has full control over its internal and foreign affairs.

In short it is an independent State (coutry).

Political GeographyThe United Nations recommended

that the word State be capitalized to distinguish it from a “state” which is a lower-order political unit.

The State is the dominant form of political unit in the world organization.

United States = State & Texas = state

Political Geography

Almost all of the earth’s land unit is included in such units.

The only exception is Antarctica which has neither a permanent population nor an established government.

However, parts of Antarctica are claimed by certain countries.

Political GeographyState is synonymous with Country.Nation: refers to a reasonably large group of

people with a common culture that occupy a particular territory.

They are bound together by a strong sense of unity arising from shared beliefs and customs.

Political GeographyAs a result, nations share one or more important

cultural traits such as religion, language, history, values and political institutions.

Nations have an attachment to a particular territory and their identity is intimately associated with that territory.

Political GeographyA multi-cultural state consists of several nations:A good example is India.Some nations do not have their own state and

therefore are scattered across several countries – Kurds in the middle east.

Political GeographyThe Palestinians are a nation and only now

beginning to have a state of their own.Nation-state: this is when the territory of a State

is occupied by only one distinct nation or people.

In that case, there are no important minority groups.

Political GeographyJapan, Denmark, and Poland are

examples of nation-states.Such an arrangement minimizes

conflicts, and makes for strong states.On the other hand, there are strong

states with sizeable minorities.The existence of such states is that

the sizeable minorities have safe ways to express themselves.

Political GeographyCanada is often termed two nations

within a state, because Canadians speak French and English.

Canada uses the term “first nations” to refer to the indigenous groups of Canadians.

Political GeographyCentrifugal and Centripetal Forces: Centrifugal and Centripetal are two

terms that crop up frequently in political Geography and Political science.

Political GeographyIn Political Geography, Centripetal

forces are those forces that bind a country together.

Unifying factors such as language, history, values, and religion.

Political GeographyCentripetal forces can be reinforced by

a threat of foreign aggression.This has always been very effective in

unifying a population.–September 11th

Political GeographyThe United States has had strong

centripetal forces such as shared beliefs in the ideals of our democracy and economic freedom.

We are ready to go to war in order to defend these fundamental rights.

Political Geography These includes such things as

iconography and political pageantry. Examples are:

– the flag, – reciting the Pledge of Allegiance,–celebrating Independence Day, –singing the National Anthem.

A sense of shared history and struggle is also important.

Political GeographyCentripetal forces are fostered by an

educational system that socializes children into a national ideology.

It is fostered by the media (Radio, Television, and written press).

Centrifugal forces are forces of disunity, i,e. more than one language or religion.

Political GeographyAnother problem is that of political

and economic inequality (economic Hierarchy) – Upper, middle and lower class.

Many people think that in recent years centrifugal forces have been gaining grounds in the United States.

Remember the Vietnam war.

Political Geography Remember the 2000 election. Remember the problem between Muslims

and Christians All these become centrifugal forces that can

kill a Country. In Canada, Language is its most centrifugal

force. Currently in the United States we have

opposition to the war in Iraq.

Political GeographyMany French Canadians see

themselves as a separate nation and therefore advocate an independent state.

Canada’s population distribution works to the disadvantage of a Canadian centripetal force because their provinces are much closer to the united states than to Canadian states.

Political GeographyThe word unitary means unity – it is a

Latin word Unitas.Unitary states entail oneness and a

high degree of internal homogeneity and cohesiveness.

Political GeographyUnitary States are organized around a

single political core, the national capital.

This means that the whole country is under the direct control of the central government.

The whole country is divided into units for administration purposes.

Political GeographyThe national government:

– Creates the administrative units,– Determines how many of them

are to be created,–Determines where their

boundaries should pass and.– Who should rule those areas.

U.S. And Canada As Federal StatesDown the ladder is the state/provinces

and then the local governments.State governments delegate powers to

lower levels of governments such as the municipalities and counties.

“State”(USA)

“state” (Texas)

County(Bexar)

County (Harris)

“state” (New York)

County(Buffalo)

Political Geography These subdivisions are financed by the

national government as well as the appointment of the chief executives.

A unitary state can be all of the following ––monarchy, Ruled by a royal–democracy, Free and equal

representation of the people–or a dictatorship form of

government.

Political GeographyIn federal states, the responsibilities of

government are divided formally between the central authorities in national capitals and lower levels of government.

Political GeographyIn a weak federation, the power of

the constituent state is large and that of the central government small – Switzerland is a good example.

Political GeographyThe German system has a strong

federal government and the power is more centralized.

The United States, Canada and Mexico do have a federal structure of government.

Political Geography

Under the federal framework, the central government represents the first order of divisions within the states where there is shared common interests.

First order entities are very powerful and are represented by the states.

Political Geography

An important power of these entities are the power to tax.

This is the single most important measure of “sovereignty”.

The powers of the states and provinces have been exercised in many different ways.

Political Geography Examples are such things as:

–Divorce laws,–Minimum driving ages,–Educational systems,–Environmental regulations,–Certification requirements for

teachers and.–Motor vehicle codes.

Political Geography

In Canada, Quebec has taken advantage of this and fostered a separate French-language-based society.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

Thus the powers of cities and counties depend entirely on the role assigned to them by the various states.

In short, states and provinces behave somewhat like unitary states.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

It grants a number of Executive Legislative and Judicial powers to the national government.

Powers such as:–Foreign affairs.–minting of currency.–National defense.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says powers not directly given to State are given to the states.

This caused many court cases over “states rights”

U.S. And Canada As Federal States Among the most important functions of the

state are: education, police powers, and health care. States can do as they please within their

boundaries provided they do not violate the federal constitution, federal laws or treaties.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

In Canada, the situation is reverse in that the constitution has assigned specific powers to the provinces and all the powers not so assigned are reserved for the federal government.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States All of these divisions vary in certain

variables such as taxing and other powers and structures.

General purpose governments in the United States are the Counties also called Parishes in Louisiana.

U.S. And Canada As Federal StatesThe states assign functions to

the counties and the functions vary considerable from one state to another.

The number of counties within the states also vary and they range from 3 counties in Delaware to about 254 in Texas.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS:

These are districts created to serve specific public functions.

They make up the most numerous forms of local authorities.

School districts are special districts.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

Annexation is the incorporation of additional areas into a city.

City boundaries have changed considerably through this process of annexation.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

The problem with this kind of action is that in some cases they turn to be very politicized (Gerrymandering).

This is especially true when cities want to annex high income areas.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

GERRYMANDERING: This is a deliberate manipulation of boundaries

to achieve an electoral outcome.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

Gerrymandering was named after an early governor of Massachusetts, called Elbrige Gerry who practiced it in the 1800s.

If electoral boundaries are drawn by elected officials it can be a good weapon in the fight to stay in power.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

Votes that have been cast can be classified into three categories: effective votes, excess votes, wasted votes.

Effective votes are those needed to win a seat and in a two candidate race half the total number of votes cast plus 1 vote are effective.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

Excess votes are those cast above what is expected to win.

Wasted votes are cast for losing candidates.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

In gerrymandering, the objective of the party in power is to draw district borders so as to force the opposition to cast as many excess and wasted votes as possible.

There are two techniques used to achieve this and it is based on the geographic distribution of voters.

U.S. And Canada As Federal States

The two techniques most commonly used are:

(1) opponent-concentration gerrymandering also known as excess vote gerrymandering and(2) opponent-dispersion gerrymandering or wasted vote gerrymandering.

Political Geography: Boundaries Boundaries are very important in political geography. There are two basic types of boundaries. Natural Boundaries

and man-made boundaries Natural boundaries are natural; rivers, lakes, Mountain ranges

and peaks, and watersheds. The boundaries are tangible. Man-Made boundaries are those created by humans, are

visible only on maps, but not visible on land. They include lines of latitude and longitude. Tend to be a straight line.

What are the Natural Boundaries of Texas? How many are there? List them.

What are the Man-Made Boundaries of Texas? How Many are there? List them.

Political Geography: Geopolitics The study of how geography and economics have an influence on

politics and on the relations between Nations, States, and Nation-States.WHO THE HECK CARES? YOU SHOULD!!!!!How does U.S. Relations with Saudi Arabia relate to gas prices?Why should the U.S. get involved with the ISIS/ISIL issues in the Middle-East? Who should we give guns to? Anyone? What about the Kurds?Does Iran having nuclear capabilities pose a threat to the United States?Should the United States have gotten involved in Irag?Should the United States invade Mexico to end cartel violence, would this solve anything?These are just some of the Geopolitical issues facing the U.S. and our generations.

END OF LECTURE