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Political Geography

Political Geography. Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces. a single native language or a colonial “official” language nation-states English in India, Nigeria revived Hebrew in Israel homogeneous cultural factors Catholicism in Poland

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Political Geography

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  1. Political Geography

  2. Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces

  3. a single native language or a colonial “official” language • nation-states • English in India, Nigeria • revived Hebrew in Israel homogeneous cultural factors • Catholicism in Poland patriotism, national symbols (anthems, flags, sports teams, common enemy) - 1980 Miracle on Ice many native languages – India, Canada, Nigeria or almost all African countries heterogeneous cultural factors • shatterbelt in Nigeria • “ethnicities” in Rwanda desire for self-determination in multinational states (Yugoslavia) language religion and ethnicity nationalism Centripetal forces vs. Centrifugal force Attitude or force that divides a state • Attitude or force that unifies and enhances support for state

  4. Ethnicities compete to dominate states in Africa • African borders do NOT correspond to ethnic groups • Legacy of imperialism • Scramble for Africa • SUPERIMPOSED!

  5. Ethnicities compete to dominate states in Africa

  6. Ethnicities compete to dominate states in Africa multilingual state interfaith conflict Nigeria (you should research these issues so you can provide depth) political corruption, competition for resources (oil, grasslands), terrorism, unequal wealth

  7. Genocide vs. Ethnic Cleansing? • Genocide • intentional action to destroy a people (usually defined as an ethnic, national, racial, or religious group) in whole or in part. • 6 million Jews killed by Nazis

  8. Ethnic Conflict in Africa • Rwanda • Hutu vs.Tutsi • ethnic divisions more “created” than real • hierarchy created by colonial Belgians • social construct • Tutsi made “privileged” • Hutus resent → take revenge in 1994 • 800,000 Tutsi and allies butchered over 100 days

  9. Ethnic cleansing and genocide in Rwanda (1994)

  10. Aftermath of Rwandan Genocide • Ethnic conflict spills into neighboring countries • failed state? • a state whose political or economic system has become so weak that the government is no longer in control. • “balkanized” (adj.) • area that can’t stabilize due to ethnic conflict • “balkanization” (n.) • breakdown of state due to ethnic conflict

  11. Genocide vs. Ethnic Cleansing? • Ethnic cleansing • process in which a more powerful ethnic group forcibly removes a less powerful group from their territory • purpose is not to subjugate, but to remove • Post-WWII Europe • Yugoslavian Civil War • currently taking place in Myanmar as the Rohingya Muslims are being ethnically cleansed by Buddhists • article posted on website

  12. Ethnic cleansing in Europe • Post - WWII • Germans, • Poles • forced to “relocate” • Goals: • Construct a buffer zone for the USSR • New nations created along nation-state ideal

  13. a common enemy may help to unite a people • anti-British sentiment during Revolutionary War • U.S. during the Cold War or after 9/11 Democracy can inspire civic participation Dictatorshipscan stifle dissent and other centrifugal forces therefore can be a centripetal force • Tito in Yugoslavia • Communist party (USSR) Outside influences Leadership or government (be wary of moral thinking here) (see later ppts. for internal govt. structure) irredentism superpower meddling (Africa, Latin America, Asia) • funding rebels, etc. poor governance, corruption, inequality Incompetence • Lebanon • US???? dictatorship • Arab Spring (2011 – • Assad in Syria Centripetal forces vs. Centrifugal force

  14. Shape of state (see later) and internal physical features can isolate populations and lead to separatism • Russia’ vastness has been a centrifugal force throughout its history • Indonesia’s islands create separate communities Less developed countries lack infrastructure. This may isolate areas and become a centrifugal force. Physical Features (topography) Infrastructure Mountain ranges, oceans, deserts etc. can limit outside influences and bind a country together • Britain is an island • Egypt along the Nile More advanced countries have things like airports, railroads, highways and the internet which allow people to remain in contact, people to move within the country, etc. Centripetal forces vs. Centrifugal forces

  15. Topography and Infrastructure as Centripetal forces

  16. Topography as Centrifugal forces

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