AP Human Geography: Unit 4 Overview

Introduction to Political Geography

• State vs. Nation:
  • State: Geographic area with a permanent population, defined borders, sovereign government, recognized by others.
  • Nation: Group with shared culture, history, homeland, desire to govern themselves.
  • Self-determination: Right or desire of a nation to self-govern.

Types of Political Entities

• Nation-State:
  • Self-governing, uniform population (e.g., Japan, Iceland).
• Multinational State:
  • Multiple nations within borders (e.g., Canada).
• Multi-State Nation:
  • Nation across multiple states (e.g., Kurds, Basques).
• Stateless Nation:
  • Nation without recognized state (e.g., Kurds, Basques).
• Autonomous & Semi-Autonomous Regions:
  • Autonomous: High self-rule (e.g., Native American reservations).
  • Semi-autonomous: Moderate self-governance (e.g., Hong Kong).

Historical Political Processes

• Colonialism vs. Imperialism:
  • Colonialism: Exert control by settling and ruling territories.
  • Imperialism: Exert control without settlement.
• Impact of Colonialism:
  • Diffusion of cultures, languages, resources often imbalanced.
  • Arbitrary boundaries contributing to modern conflicts.
• Decolonization:
  • Post-WWII independence movements.
• Devolution:
  • Transfer of power from central to regional governments.

Territoriality and Political Power

• Territoriality:
  • Defend specific geographic area.
• Neocolonialism:
  • Indirect control through political, cultural, economic influences (e.g., China's investments in Africa).
• Shatter Belts:
  • Regions caught between conflicting powers (e.g., Eastern Europe during Cold War).

Political Boundaries

• Types of Boundaries:
  • Geometric, antecedent, relic, superimposed, subsequent, consequent.
• Boundary Disputes:
  • Definitional, locational, operational, allocational.
• Law of the Sea:
  • Territorial waters, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Internal Boundaries and Gerrymandering

• Redistricting and Gerrymandering:
  • Redistricting: Redrawing districts post-census.
  • Gerrymandering: Manipulating districts to favor a party.

Forms of Governance

• Unitary States:
  • Centralized national government.
• Federal States:
  • Power distributed between national and regional governments.

Devolution and Sovereignty Challenges

• Factors Leading to Devolution:
  • Physical geography, cultural divisions, political instability.
• Technological Advancements:
  • Internet and social media's role in challenges to sovereignty.
• Supernational Organizations:
  • Political, economic, environmental goals impacting sovereignty.

Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

• Centrifugal Forces:
  • Divide people and reduce state cohesion (e.g., economic disparities, cultural differences).
• Centripetal Forces:
  • Unite people within a state (e.g., shared identity, lack of corruption).

Conclusion

• Understanding these core concepts is crucial for success in AP Human Geography, especially on the national exam.