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state

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area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government that has control over its internal and foreign affairs. A state occupies a defined territory and contains a permanent population.

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sovereignty

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independence from control of its internal affairs by other states.

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largest UN member states

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Russia, Canada, United states

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microstates

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states with very small land areas. Monaco (0.6 square miles) is the world's smallest UN member state. Many microstates are islands, which explain both their small size and their sovereignty.

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smallest UN member states

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Monaco - 1.95 km Nauru - 21 km² Tuvalu - 26 km²

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Korea issues

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A colony of Japan for many years, it was divided by the US and USSR following World War II. 3 years of fighting in 1950s led to the creation of the DMZ border Each side now has an independent government and fits the definition of a state. Both were admitted to the United Nations in 1992 as separate countries.

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Taiwan issues

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According to China, Taiwan is not an independent state, but a part of China. Following defeat in China's civil war, the losing side fled to Taiwan. There, (with US support) they proclaimed they were still the legitimate government of China and would rule at least one island until they could retake the entire country. Taiwan's president proclaimed independence from China in 1999, but China viewed the announcement as a contradiction to prior agreements Most UN states view Taiwan and China as two separate and sovereign states (but not yet recognized by UN)

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Western Sahara issues

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Spain controlled the territory until 1976, at which time an independent government was placed in control. Morocco annexed the north and Mauritania annexed the south, ignoring the gov't of W.S. Mauritania gave up its claim in 1979, at which time Morocco annexed the south. Morocco still maintains control today, but most African nations recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as the legitimate state.

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Development of the state concept

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The concept of dividing the world into a collection of independent states is recent. Prior to the 1800s, Earth's surface was organized in other ways, such as city-states, empires, and tribes. Much of Earth's surface consisted of unorganized territory.

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Mesopotamia

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The development of states can be traced back to the Fertile Crescent in the present day Middle East. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the Fertile Crescent was a center for land and sea communications in ancient times.

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city-state

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A city-state is a sovereign state that is comprised of a town and the surrounding countryside. Walls clearly marked the boundaries of the city. Outside the walls, the city controlled agricultural land to produce food for urban residents. Mesopotamia was organized into a succession of empires by the Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians.

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Feudal System

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Beginning about the year 1100, a handful of powerful kings emerged as rulers over large numbers of estates

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Feudal System into states

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The consolidation of neighboring estates under the unified control of a king formed the basis for the development of such modern states as England, France, and Spain. However, much of central Europe, like Italy and Germany, remained fragmented until the 19th century.

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Treaty of Westphalia

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The modern movement to divide the world into states originated in Europe.

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Westphalia parties

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The Holy Roman Empire The Kingdom of Spain, The Kingdom of France, The Swedish Empire, The Dutch Republic

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Wesphalian sovereignty

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Initiated a new system of political order in central Europe, later called Westphalian sovereignty, based upon the concept of a sovereign state Became "taboo" in international affairs to interfere in another nation's domestic business.

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colony

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territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state rather than being completely independent.

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colony exceptions and special cases

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In some cases, the "parent" country controls only parts of the colony (like the economy or the military) and other times, it controls everything in and of the colony.

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colonialism

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European states came to control much of the world through colonialism, which is the effort by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles on such territory.

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Why did europeans establish colonies?

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1) to promote Christianity 2) to provide resources that helped the economy of European States, and 3) the number of colonies were considered to be an indicator of power.

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imperialism

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The European colonization of Africa and Asia is called imperialism, which is when one country exerts cultural or economic dominance over another without the aid of official government institutions.

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colonialism turns into imperialism

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The colonial era began in the 1400s, when Europeans discovered the Western Hemisphere. Europeans lost the U.S. in 1776 and Latin America between 1800 and 1824. They then turned their attention towards Africa and Asia.

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Largest colonial empire

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The United Kingdom assembled by far the largest colonial empire.. France had the second largest overseas territory

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Most populated colony today?

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The most populated colony remaining in the world today is Puerto Rico, which is a Commonwealth of the United States. Its residents are citizens of the US, but do not participate in elections, nor are they represented in Congress.

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boundary

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an invisible line marking the extent of a state's territory. Boundaries result from a combination of natural physical features and cultural features Boundaries completely surround an individual state to mark the outer limits of its territorial control and to give it a distinctive shape.

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frontier

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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.

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only remaining states with frontiers

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Antarctica and the Arabian Peninsula.

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physical boundaries

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mountains, deserts, and water

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cultural boundaries

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Language (Linguistic) Boundaries (i.e. Linguistic difference in Europe, former Yugoslavia) Religious Boundaries (i.e. India/Pakistan, Northern Ireland Geometric Boundaries (Use of latitude/longitude lines- US & Canada border @ 49th parallel)

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Law of the sea (1983)

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Territory of coastal state extends 12 nautical miles from the shoreline (other states have right of passage) Resources within 200 nautical miles of shoreline are within the state's economic territory

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the shape of a state controls...

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the length of its boundaries with other states. Its unique identity (think Italy) Strengths and weaknesses of the state ease or difficulty of internal administration and can affect unity (can be a centripetal OR centrifugal force)

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compact state benefits

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In a compact state, the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly. Ease of communication Easy to defend

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compact state downfalls

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To 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 OR be overpopulated

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compact state examples

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Burundi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Uruguay

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prorupted states benefits

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a proruption can provide access to a resource, such as water. proruptions can separate two states that would otherwise border each other.

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prorupted states downfalls

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(1) May be difficult to govern regions of proruptions (2) May be difficult to protect prorupted region

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prorupted states examples

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Thailand, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Myanmar

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elongated state benefits

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May have access to more resources from different regions

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elongated state downfalls

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poor internal communication Difficult to protect A region located at an extreme end of the elongation might be isolated from the capital, which is usually situated at the center.

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elongated state examples

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Chile, Norway, Italy, Gambia, Vietnam, Laos

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fragmented states benefits

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Local ethnicities/nationalities can maintain a large degree of independence May gain more resources through different areas

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fragmented states downfalls

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Difficult to protect Difficult to mandate national level laws/ordinances Political conflict if separated by another state Communication hindered Transportation of goods difficult

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fragmented states examples

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Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, the Bahamas, India/Bangladesh (Tin Bigdha corridor), Panama (historically)

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perforated states benefits

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Income through exports and imports to/from the perforating state

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perforated states downfalls

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Unrest in the state creating the perforation can carry into the perforated state Negative for the state inside because they must depend on the surrounding state for imports/exports

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perforated states examples

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South Africa (Lesotho), Italy (Vatican)

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landlocked states benefits

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Buffered by other states (defense??)

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landlocked states downfalls

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1) Must arrange access to ports through other states 2) Depending on relationships with neighboring countries, may cause difficulty

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landlocked states examples

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Landlocked states most common in Africa (16) and Europe

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unitary states

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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

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where do unitary states work best?

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In a small state (compact), a nation-state, or in a state run by an authoritarian regime who seeks complete control.

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federal states

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Divides the powers of government between the national government and the state or provincial governments Each level of government has sovereignty in some areas

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where do federal states work best?

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In a large state (U.S. system) or in a multi-national state where the demands of competing nationalities can better be met.

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devolution

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The process by which central governments delegate lawmaking powers to lower levels of government (state, county, province, etc)

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gerrymandering

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The practice of drawing boundaries of legislative districts so as to unfairly favor one political party over another).

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who coined gerrymandering?

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Elbridge Gerry coined the term in Massachusetts in 1810... new district looked like a "salamander" and, from this, the "gerrymander" was created

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goal of gerrymandering?

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To earn the most seats in the U.S. House of Representatives from your state

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kurds situation

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Kurds live in Iraq, Eastern Turkey, Iran, Syria Have been persecuted as a minority in each of these states (especially in Iraq under the command of Saddam Hussein

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kurds war

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Have waged a guerrilla war against Turkey since 1984. A few days after Iraq was defeated in 1991, the Kurds launched another unsuccessful rebellion there.

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stateless nation

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people without their own state

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multinational state

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A multinational state contains two or more nationalities with traditions of self-determination.

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cyprus situation

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Cyprus, the 3rd largest island in the Mediterranean, contains two nationalities: Greek and Turkish. It is closer to Turkey, but 78% of the people are Greek.

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cyprus coup

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-Cyprus has never peacefully integrated the Greek and Turkish nationalities. - After a coup by Greeks in 1974, Turkey invaded the island to protect the Turkish population. Even though "normalcy" was restored, the Turkish army remained. - After the coup, the two nationalities became geographically isolated. A buffer state/boundary patrolled by U.N. soldiers stretches across the island with only one crossing point today.

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africa

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A continent of multi-national states plagued by conflict

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africa colonialism effects

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Most African states were created by outside influence (Europe) Colonialism disrupted and disconnected African peoples from their political and economic institutions. The state structures and boundaries created by colonial powers and post-colonial leaders bore little resemblance to those that preceded colonialism. The states and their leaders were therefore illegitimate. Consequently, corrupt African leaders have been forced to bolster their power through ineffective policies. This has caused mass amounts of internal conflict in almost every sub-Saharan African state. (i.e. Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Nigerian, Sudan)

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supranationalism

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International organizations in which member states must relinquish some level of sovereignty in favor of group interests

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when was the un formed?

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During the Cold War (late 1940s until early 1990s), most states joined the United Nations, as well as regional organizations

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why was the un formed?

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The international and regional organizations were established primarily to prevent a third world war in the 20th century and to protect countries from a foreign attack.

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united members nations

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Currently the most prominent international organization... created at the end of WWII by the Allies. Originally comprised of 49 states, but membership is now at 192. Taiwan, the Vatican City, and Kosovo are the only non-members. Taiwan resigned its membership in 1971 when China was admitted to the UN.

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united nations members growth

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The number of members increased rapidly in 1955 - mostly European countries liberated from the Nazis, 1960 - all but one a former African colony of Britain or France, in the early 1990's - due to the breakup of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.

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united nations purpose and history

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It replaced the ineffective League of Nations, established after WWI. UN members can vote to establish a peacekeeping force and request states to contribute military forces. UN forces have completed 47 peacekeeping missions and are currently deployed on 16 missions. They were once involved in a major war in Korea (1951-53) against communism. The UN serves as a forum where, for the first time in history, all the countries of the world can meet and vote on issues without resorting to war.

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regional military alliances

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After WWII, most states joined one of two military alliances... the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the Warsaw Pact. NATO consisted of the US, Canada, and 14 European states. These were the "democratic" or "capitalist" countries The Warsaw Pact consisted of the Soviet Union and the communist states of Eastern Europe.

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cold war and balance of power

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During the Cold War, the US and the USSR were the world's only two superpowers compared to 8 major powers before WWI. Most of these original powers were battered by the two wars and only the US and USSR remained. When a large number of states ranked as great powers of approximate equal strength, no state could dominate. This is called balance of power. The balance of power shifted to two states and their allies following WWII.

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decline of warsaw and nato

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The alliances were designed to maintain a balance of power in Europe and to serve as a buffer between the US and USSR. The Warsaw Pact is now disbanded and NATO's role has been extremely limited. NATO still offers European states, the US, and Canada security against Russia, even though it is a small threat. NATO is engaged against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan today.

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MAD`

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The Cold War era was shaped by a policy of M.A.D., or "Mutually Assured Destruction." Both sides thought that nuclear war was a real possibility. There were several "hot" wars during the "cold" war in places like Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan over communist vs. democratic ideals.

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economic cooperation

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The era of two superpowers is over now and the world has returned to the pattern of individual powerful states, which existed before the WWII. There are two key differences today, compared to pre-WWII: 1. The most important element of state power has become economic rather than military. 2. The leading superpower today is not a single state, like the US, but an economic union of European States (despite recent issues of recession)

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european union

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With the decline of military-oriented alliances, European states increasingly have turned to economic cooperation. Western Europe's most important economic organization is the European Union, formerly known as the European Economic Community. It was established in 1958 and included six countries. Belgium, France, Western Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands

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EU today

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Today, the EU includes 27 states. They use their own monetary system (the Euro), they have removed barriers to free trade, and elect a Parliament which serves to oversee the member states.

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trends that weaken a state

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Trends that weaken a state: Globalization of economy, transnational corporations- intrudes on the sovereignty of a state to control its economic affairs Spread of international institutions- a group, such as the UN, disapproves of government actions and involves itself (economically or militarily) in a country Emergence of NGOs (non-governmental organizations)- private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development (World Bank definition) International migration- Without strict border control, a state has little say over the influences that can arrive with migration from neighboring or foreign states Increase in nationalist and separatist movements- Nations within states agitate for greater independence from the federal government, or even an altogether separate state (think last unit)( Boundaries- States with conflicting ethnicities, governments, or trade barriers

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terrorism

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is the systematic use of violence by a group in order to intimidate a population or coerce a government into granting its demands.

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terrorism purpose

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Organized acts such as bombings, kidnapping, hijacking, taking of hostages, and assassination Brings widespread publicity to goals they feel are not been addressed peacefully Belief in the act SO strong the perpetrators do not fear death

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what states are not recognized by the un

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kosovo taiwan vatican city

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antarctica

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belongs to different countries

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