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Political Geography

Political Geography. Ms. Laura Spring 2013 Al- Bayan Bilingual School. Government and Development . How is control of the Earth’s surface divided? How does the culture of a place influence its government?. Government and Development. There are about 200 countries in the world today.

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Political Geography

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  1. Political Geography Ms. Laura Spring 2013 Al-Bayan Bilingual School

  2. Government and Development • How is control of the Earth’s surface divided? • How does the culture of a place influence its government?

  3. Government and Development • There are about 200 countries in the world today. • Country- independent government with authority over territory within its borders. • Governments- • free to make their own laws • Free to have their own leaders

  4. Government and Development • Diplomacy- governments negotiating deals with each other in peace • Governments interact with each other- • For trade agreement purposes • For international organizations • Disputes between governments can lead to war

  5. Government and Development • GOOD GOVERNMENTS: • Protect the lives of their people • Protect the property of their people • Protect the rights of their citizens • Protect the freedoms of their citizens • By doing so, they ensure conditions for economic development and prosperity

  6. Government and Development • UNSTABLE GOVERNMENTS: • Do not last long • Do not have much authority • Corruption may be a problem • Political leaders may use their power to benefit only themselves/friends

  7. Cultural Beliefs and Government • Cultural beliefs of different groups affect how governments are set up and operate. • These cultural beliefs can influence government decisions and public policies. • Example: Cultural Belief: Business must close on a religious holiday • These cultural beliefs also affect the way a citizen sees their duties and responsibilities.

  8. Cultural Beliefs and Government • Example: • Religious Law vs. Secular Law

  9. Geographic Boundaries • 3 main types of geographic boundaries separate countries from each other: • Natural Boundaries: boundaries that follow a feature of the landscape; example- mountains, rivers, deserts, lakes, oceans, etc . • Cultural Boundaries: boundaries that are based on culture traits, such as religion or language • Example: • Muslim Pakistand/Hindu India (largely religious lines) • Ireland/Northern Ireland (largely religious lines) • Portugal/Spain (largely language lines)

  10. Geographic Boundaries • Geometric Boundaries: boundaries that follow regular, geometric patterns (usually straight lines drawn without regard to environmental or cultural patterns; often based on lines of latitude or longitude) • Example: border between the US and Canada lies mostly on the 49° parallel. • Some geometric borders can be problems as they divide territory of different ethnic groups

  11. Conflict and Cooperation • Political Conflict- common within/among countries - WHY? • Nationalism: feeling pride/loyalty for one’s country or culture group; can be expressed in special songs, symbols, writing, etc. • Competing nationalism of different groups can cause conflict with each other • Differing culture traits • Example- Religion (Sri Lanka: Hindus vs. Buddhists)

  12. Conflict and Cooperation • How should people be governed? • Also a cause of conflict • Totalitarian Governments: one person or a few people have full authority to make laws or decisions; people have little to no say in how their country is governed. • Communist countries (North Korea, Cuba)

  13. Conflict and Cooperation • Democracy: all citizens have a say in their government (people decide who will govern); leaders are chosen in free and fair elections; individual freedoms and rights are valued. (U.S., U.K., Canada, France, etc.)

  14. Conflict and Cooperation • Economic Issues can cause conflict: • Tariffs: taxes on imports and exports • Quotas: limits to the amount of a product that can be imported • Tariffs and quotas usually help protect a country’s industries from foreign competition but they can cause trade disputes among countries.

  15. Terrorism • Terrorism: use of violence and fear as a political force • Why? • Independence for homelands that may be part of or under control of another country • Political goals- different public/social policies • Do not usually act under authority of a particular government but some governments may protect or support terrorists with similar goals to their own.

  16. International Cooperation • Why do countries cooperate with each other? • Political and Economic benefits • United Nations: most important international organization; representatives of world’s countries can discuss international issues and voice their concerns • Main goals: • To settle disputes • To try to prevent wars • To try to solve global problems: disease, hunger, illiteracy • May use peace-keeping military forces to warring regions

  17. International Cooperation • Many countries benefit from economic cooperation and free trade • Can help countries produce goods at lower costs and reach larger markets; goods can then be bought at lower prices • Economic cooperation can also end or reduce tariffs and quotas WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO): works to make trade between countries fairer and easier.

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