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Government. Mullin. Geographic Regions. Represent great clusters of common human activity or common physical characteristics. Physical / Natural Characteristics Landforms , Climate, Vegetation Human / Cultural Characteristics Government, Religion, Ethnicity, Population, Disease
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Government Mullin
Geographic Regions • Represent great clusters of common human activity or common physical characteristics. • Physical / Natural Characteristics • Landforms, Climate, Vegetation • Human / Cultural Characteristics • Government, Religion, Ethnicity, Population, Disease • May change over time
Geographic Regions • Do NOT have definite borders • May differ based on point of view • Separated from other regions by transition zones
Transition Zones Edges of regions • An area of constant change where two adjacent regions join • Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring regions • Area of mixed characteristics; possible tension between culture groups Example: Muslims versus Hindus in Pakistan and India.
Video Clip: Gandhi • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4DTX5JPgKc • Look at who is being separated….are they getting along? Do they want to be separated?
Sub-Regions • All regions can be divided into physical features and human characteristics • Example: United States’ sub-regions may include: • Northeast, Midwest, South, North, West Coast • Metropolitan and Suburban areas= human (cultural) properties • Physical Regions (Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes) • Texas Example:, Piney Woods, West Texas, The Valley, Coast, East Texas, Panhandle • Region and sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we establish
Political Geography and Gov • What is Political Geography? The study of government systems from around the world. • What is Government? An organization that people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rules.
Roles of the Gov • To protect life • To protect liberty • To protect the property of members of the community • To provide goods that the people cannot provide on their own
Borders • Political Borders – determined by government and are artificial (imaginary lines) • Example: North and South Korea • Natural Borders –created by physical characteristics that divide one place from another. • Example: Rio Grande River (Mexico and US)
Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nzm2CidMpM • 30 minutes
What are nations and states? • State – an independent unit that occupies a specific territory and has full control of its internal and external affairs. Sometimes called “country” . • Nation – people w/ a common culture living in a common territory and having a strong sense of unity • Nation State – when a nation and a state occupy the same territory • Stateless Nation - some groups have a common nationality but no territory • Stateless-nation Example: Palestinians, Kurds
Monarchy • Ruled by a monarch headed by a King or Queen (the title). • The ruler inherits their power - when the ruler dies, power is passed to one of the monarch’s children or close relative. • These monarchs (kings, sultans, emperors) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern. • Pros – ______________ • Cons – Limits on ______________
Constitutional Monarchy • Monarchs share power with an representative legislature • Parliament • Usually the monarch serves as a symbolic head of state while elected members of Parliament govern the country. • Example: United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Video Clip • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-GkrHKcwvo
Republic • A republic is a government without a king or a queen. • Usually when a country overturns its monarchy it will become a republic. • Republics can be democratic, theocratic, or parliamentary. • An example would be the United States, which is a Democratic Republic
Democracy • Government authority is based on the will of the people. • People either vote on issues directly, or they elect representatives who make government decisions for them. • People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize the government freely. • Types: Direct Democracy, Representative Democracy, Modern Democracies
Direct Democracy • The very first known democracy was in ancient Greece in the 5th Century BCE. • Democracy is Greek for “people power”. • Citizens assembled to make decisions for their city-states. • They voted on these issues directly. This is where the term direct-democracy evolved from.
Representative Democracy • It is a democracy where different social groups elect their own representatives, who then met in assemblies. • Nobles were represented in the Senate • Government power was divided between two branches and voting was on various issues. • Romans were the first to develop the representative democracy.
Dictatorship • One individual holds complete political power • The leader either seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others • The citizens have little influence over governmental policy and do NOT have the right to choose their own leaders • If a small group holds the power, called an “oligarchy” • Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes • Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed
Activity • Government Comparison Chart • Completed in class over the next two days. • Stations are timed. • Rotate every 10 minutes. • Due end of next week.
Totalitarianism • A form of dictatorship that seeks to control all aspects of social life within a country • This control extends to the public life, private life, communications, economy and government system. • Government also controls television, radio, and newspapers. • Censor of books and articles that criticize the government • No separate political parties, labor unions, or other organizations are allowed. • Government either controls or prohibits all social and religious groups.
Chinese Censorship • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeFzeNAHEhU • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooL98OwlMM
Communism • The government plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian • party holds power • The elimination of private/individual ownership of property or capital • Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China, North Korea • Pros – Classless Society • Cons – lack of Freedom
Video Clip • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7B-nlmdX0g
Theocracy • Government run by spiritual leaders. It is an old form of government, like a monarchy. • Government claims to be directed by God or divinely blessed. • No legal separation between church and state • Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled. • Ancient times rulers were often priests.
Anarchy of Failed State • No one in charge, only gangs and warlords. • Fueled by drugs or desire to command resources. • Happens when a country collapses. • Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa
Activity • Complete Gov Comparison Chart. • Due at end of class.
9/11 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-B6c6xxXug