Chapter 1 Section 5 Outline

Geopolitical Framework:

Fragmentation & Unity

Geopolitics refers to the close link between geography & political activity…

“…the interaction between power, territory & space at all scales from the local to the global.”

Global Terrorism… The geography of global terrorism is not well

defined by a war between established political states; it is now more connected by political activity, cultural identity & economic links.

The networks that exist because of globalization are used by global terrorists too;

Asymetrical warfare is warfare that is not balanced (ex. America’s superpower military technology vs. Iraq’s lower level technology & guerilla tactics).

Nation States… Defined as a relatively homogeneous cultural

group with its own fully independent political territory.

There are exceptions to this definition, since some large cultural groups consider themselves nations lacking a recognized, self-governing territory (ex. Kurds, Palestinians);

Also, some nation states have groups within who want autonomy.

Most of today’s countries would not fit well into the above definition!

Centrifugal & Centripetal forces… Cultural & Political forces that weaken or

divide an existing state are centrifugal forces. Forces that promote political unity & reinforce

state structure are centripetal forces. If centrifugal forces overcome centripetal

forces, we will see new, smaller independent states emerge as a result. For now, it seems that separatist struggles dominate regional politics in many areas of the world.

Boundaries & Frontiers… Boundaries exist to define the borders of

nation states, but agreement upon boundaries in many parts of the world is rare (“border wars”).

There are different forms of boundaries…Ethnographic boundaries follow cultural traits

like language & religion…geometric boundaries are drawn without regard for physical or cultural features. These are quick & easy lat/long boundaries like the ones used by many colonial powers during the Age of Imperialism.

Colonialism & Decolonialism…Colonialism is the formal establishment

of rule over a foreign population; colonies have no independent standing in the world community.

Decolonialization is the process of a colony’s gaining control over its territory & establishing a separate, independent gov’t.

International & Supranational Organizations… International Orgs. Link 2 or more states

militarily, economically, politically or environmentally. Examples are the UN, OPEC, NATO & NAFTA.

Supranational orgs. are linked by a common goal too, however, individual state power (sovereignty) may be reduced to achieve the organization’s goals. Best example of this is the European Union, or EU, which was formed in 1993. Member nations are expected to put individual best interests aside for the good of the whole.