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Political Geography

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

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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 – English in India, Nigeria revived Hebrew in Israel homogeneous cultural factors • Catholicism in Poland • Hinduism in India • nation-states patriotism, national symbols (anthems, flags, sports teams) - 1980 Miracle on Ice many native languages – India, Canada, Nigeria or almost all African countries heterogeneous cultural factors • Islam/Christianity in Nigeria • Islam/Hinduism in India • “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 on the Final FRQ) + political corruption terrorism unequal resources

  7. 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

  8. What Is 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 • Today, mostly happens in Europe and Africa

  9. Ethnic cleansing and genocide in Rwanda (1994)

  10. Aftermath of Rwandan Genocide • Ethnic conflict spills into neighboring countries • destabilizes Central Africa • Dem. Rep. of Congo falls into civil war • most war deaths (5.4m) since WWII • failed state? • a state whose political or economic system has become so weak that the government is no longer in control.

  11. Ethnicities compete to dominate states in Africa • Somalia • “clans” • Islamic militias • US intervention • Black Hawk Down • “failed state” • Piracy • “balkanized” (adj.) = area that can’t stabilize due to ethnic conflict

  12. Ethnicities compete to dominate states in Africa • Sudan • Govt. in Khartoum = Arab/Muslim • Darfur targeted • Black Muslim • Genocide or ethnic cleansing? • “breakaway” South Sudan • balkanized! • Black, Christian/Animist • Economic • OIL!!!! • Independent 2011 • Now ethnic strife • Failed state?

  13. Ethnic cleansing in Europe • WWII (1939 – 45) • Largest forced migration • Jews, gypsies, and others forcibly removed by Nazis • Post - WWII • Germans, others forced to “relocate” after war • Goals: • USSR buffer zone • Nation-state ideal

  14. Ethnic cleansing in Europe • breakup of Yugoslavia • “balkanization” = breakdown of state due to ethnic conflict • death of Tito • what kind of force was he? • Ethnic cleansing • Bosnia (1992 – 95) • Kosovo (1999) • Albanians cleansed by Serbs • Stopped by NATO airstrikes

  15. Ethnicities compete to dominate states • Lebanon = religious • civil war since 1975 • Israeli and Syrian military interventions

  16. Other ethnicity issues in the Middle East Iraq • 20% Sunni (Arabic, Saddam Hussein, oppressed/gassed other groups) • 60% Shi’a (Arabic but tied to Iran, militias) • 20% Kurds (non-Arabic, Sunni, national group, functions as autonomous, US-allied) • US invasion unleashes centrifugal forces • Sunnis now out of power become radicalized • Terrorism → Al Qaeda, now ISIS

  17. Outside influences Leadership or government (be wary of morality here) (see later slides for internal govt. structure) irredentism superpower meddling (Africa, Latin America, Asia) • funding rebels, etc. poor governance corruption inequality incompetence • US???? dictatorship • Arab Spring (2011 – • Assad in Syria 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 Dictatorships can stifle dissent and other centrifugal forces • Tito in Yugoslavia • Communist party (USSR) Centripetal forces vs. Centrifugal force

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

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