Human Geography Jerome D. Fellmann Mark Bjelland Arthur Getis Judith Getis
Human Geography
Jerome D. FellmannMark BjellandArthur GetisJudith Getis
Human Geography
Chapter 12
The Political Ordering of
Space
Insert figure 12.2
© Corbis RF
Human Geography 11e
Political Geography• The study of the organization and distribution of
political phenomena, including their impact on other spatial components of society and culture
• State and nation are not synonymous
• State– Independent political entity holding sovereignty over a
territory
• Nation– Community of people with a common culture and territory
Human Geography 11e
National Political Systems• Nation-States
– A state whose territorial extent coincides with that occupied by a distinct nation or people
• Stateless Nation– People without a state
• The Evolution of the Modern State– Developed by European political philosophers
in the 18th century– The concept that people owe alliance to a state
Human Geography 11e
Geographic Characteristics of States
– Size– Shape
• Can affect the well-being of a state by fostering or hindering effective organization
• The least efficient shape administratively is represented by the elongated state; part of the country far from the capital are likely to be isolated
• Fragmentation make it harder for the state to impose centralized control over its territory
– Location– Cores and Capitals
• The core is the original nucleus of a state and is the most developed area
Human Geography 11e
Boundaries• Boundaries: The
Limits of the State– Classification of
Boundaries• Natural boundaries
are those based on recognizable physiographic feature
• Geometric boundaries are frequently delimited as segments of parallels of latitude or meridians of longitude
Insert figure 12.13a
© PhotoLink/Getty RF
Human Geography 11e
Boundaries• Boundaries: The
Limits of the State– Subsequent
• Drawn after the development of the cultural landscape
– Superimposed• Forced on existing
cultural landscapes; can be the product of conquest
– Relict Boundary• A former boundary
that no longer functions
Insert figure 12.13b
© Corbis RF
Human Geography 11e
Centripetal Forces: Promoting State Cohesion
• Nationalism• Unifying Institutions• Organization and Administration• Transportation and Communication
Human Geography 11e
Centrifugal Forces: Challenges to State Authority
• Organized Religion• Nationalism
– Separatism– Devolution
• Regional Autonomous Movements
Insert figure 12.20a
Human Geography 11e
The Projection of Power• Geopolitical Assessments
– Mackinder• Heartland Theory• In 1904 Mackinder published an article titled
“The Geographical Pivot of History” in the Geographical Journal.
• He concluded that a land-based power in the heart of Eurasia, not a sea power, has better chances of ruling the world
Human Geography 11e
The Projection of Power• Geopolitical Assessments
– Alfred Mahan– Nicholas Spykman
• Rimland Theory– Containment– Domino Theory– Terrorism
Human Geography 11e
International Political Systems
• Supranationalism– Associations among states
• The United Nations and Its Agencies– Maritime boundaries– An International Law of the Sea
• Regional Alliances– Economic alliances– Military and political alliances
Human Geography 11e
Local and Regional Political Organization
• The Geography of Representation: The Districting Problem
• The Fragmentation of Political Power