Multinational state

Nation-state

colonial power

choke point

multistate nation

Irredentism in former communist states and political divisions among ethnic and religious groups

Dissolving of the Warsaw Pact and economic alliances made with former republics of the Soviet Union

The rise of Russia as an emerging world economy and the economic impacts on its nearby trading partners

Independence following the end of the Cold War and admission to the North American Treaty Organization (NATO)

Self-determination following decline of communism and admission as member states to the European Union

Devolution of large states into smaller nation-states

Cultural globalization reducing ethnic differences

Annexation of smaller states into larger states

Redistricting the internal boundaries of federal states

Territorial expansion of imperial states

France

Bulgaria

Italy

Switzerland

Belgium

The Taiwan Strait is a cultural boundary that separates populations of Chinese people who speak different languages

The Taiwan Strait serves as a major international shipping route that serves large economies, such as South Korea, Japan, and the United States.

The Taiwan Strait is a militarily strategic chokepoint that China and Taiwan claim as territory.

The Taiwan Strait creates an obstacle to trade between Taiwan and China and hinders the region’s economy.

The Taiwan Strait is a remnant of the colonial relationship between China, Taiwan, and European countries.

Like South Sudan, Darfur has gained its independence and is now a sovereign nation-state.

Devolution is likely in Sudan as the country is a multinational state with no distinct majority group.

Darfur is a region of ethnic difference and political instability where devolution is likely.

Devolution is likely in South Sudan as it is landlocked country with no distinct majority group.

Sudan has a large population with a distinct majority group and further devolution is unlikely.

Both Iran and the UAE have coastlines along the Arabian Sea and thus have the easiest access to global markets.

Their location along the choke point of the Strait of Hormuz allows them to influence ship movement into and out of the Persian Gulf.

Both Iran and the UAE border the Persian Gulf, a location of large oil deposits, and thus have the greatest offshore oil claims.

Their close proximity to the large Asian markets of Japan and China give them an economic advantage over other OPEC countries.

As the founding members of OPEC, they hold the largest influence over OPEC policies and decisions.

Devolution

Imperialism

Self-determination

Democratisation

Supranationalism

Relict

Militarised

Geometric

Open

Gerrymandered

relict borders

Subsequent borders

superimposed boundaries

antecedent borders

consequent borders

Boundaries define national identity and encourage a patriotism that make local cultures recognizable.

Boundaries limit international trade and improve regional economies within the country.

Boundaries limit sovereignty and determine the extent of a state's power within the global political system.

Boundaries promote international relations between neighboring states and encourage peace.

Boundaries resolve disputes over water resources and determine which countries have the right to extract water.

An even dispersal of Muslims around the country, leading to assimilation

An even dispersal of Muslims around the country, leading to ethnic separatism

An even dispersal of Muslims around the country, leading to irredentism

A concentration of the majority of the country’s Muslim population on one island, leading to assimilation

A concentration of the majority of the country’s Muslim population on one island, leading to ethnic separatism

Each region is separated from the others by physical barriers that impede communication and trade among regions.

Regions are delineated based upon the percent of population that speaks French as a first or second language.

Divisions are based on language, providing ethnic groups some self-governance and preserving Belgium as a federal state.

The population is evenly divided between French speakers and Flemish speakers.

Divisions are based on ethnicity, recognizing the country’s linguistic diversity and preserving Belgium as a multistate nation.

A multilingual society has emerged, with several languages being spoken by the overall population.

The populations of the three regions are not evenly balanced or equally distributed.

Many who speak French as their first language also speak Flemish, but few people who speak Flemish as their first language also speak French.

Many who speak Flemish as their first language also speak French, but few people who speak French as their first language also speak Flemish.

A multinational state has developed into a multicultural society where language and ethnicity are of little importance to personal identity.

Choke points, because local communities are defining themselves as exclusively Flemish or French.

Protectionism, because these communities exclude services and international trade conducted in different languages.

Shatter belts, because linguistic divisions are the result of different political-economic systems at the national and international scales.

Relict boundaries, because cultural divisions have become irrelevant in these local communities.

Territoriality, because communities are expressing power and political control over the landscape.

North and South Korea are divided into two distinct nations that have separate cultures and heritages.

North and South Korea constitute one sovereign state that have two separate regional governments.

The Korean people are divided into a multistate nation that has a common heritage and ethnicity.

North Korea is a semiautonomous region of South Korea that has self-governance over its military.

North Korea is a stateless nation within South Korea that does not have a representative government.

a sovereign boundary created to promote the establishment of an independent state

part of the federal state, which grants proportional representation in the United States House of Representatives

a maritime boundary that extends out into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay

a gerrymandered boundary that guarantees a political party’s seat within the United States House of Representatives

part of an autonomous region that limits the State of Maryland’s control over the district.

Virginia House Of Delegates

Virginia Senate

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

President of the United States

Federal states tend to be smaller than unitary states.

Unitary states tend to be smaller than federal states.

Unitary states tend to be more densely populated than federal states.

Federal states tend to have a more urban population than unitary states.

Federal states are more likely to be landlocked than unitary states.

A primarily agricultural society

Dispersed power centers

Specific physical geographical features

A weak hold on power over territory

A strong central capital

An ethnically homogeneous state where all citizens identify as members of the same nation

A state in which government decisions are made at the national level and applied uniformly across the state

A state in which one leader and one party have complete political, economic, and social control

A state in which subunits are granted independent constitutional authority

A state that is geographically contiguous with no fragmented land areas separated from the rest of the state

Centripetal forces are present in Quebec, whereas the free-trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico is a centrifugal force on a national level.

Centripetal forces are present in Quebec, whereas the free-trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico challenges the Canadian government’s independence on a national level.

Centrifugal forces are present in Quebec, whereas the free-trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico challenges the Canadian government’s independence on a national level.

Centripetal forces are present in Quebec, whereas the free-trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico is a governance issue at the provincial scale.

Centrifugal forces are present in Quebec, whereas the free-trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico is a governance issue at the provincial scale.

Laptop computers used by aid agencies in nation-building

Social media Web sites supporting supranational organizations

Internet filters restricting the spread of globalization

Cell phone use weakening corrupt governments

Satellite image analysis contributing to devolution

A failed state

Increased cultural cohesion

Increased social equity

A stateless nation

Uneven development

The reapportionment and redistricting of the United States Senate that occurs every 10 years

The reapportionment and redistricting of the of the United States House of Representatives that occurs every 10 years

The redistricting of the electoral college that occurs every 10 years

The reapportionment of the United States Congress when members of Congress change their political party affiliation

The reapportionment of the United States Congress when members of Congress move from one state to another

South Sudan wanted a larger share of productive oil resources located in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Sudan filed for bankruptcy in the International Court, whereas South Sudan grew wealthy from international trade.

Sudan and South Sudan are home to one homogeneous nation in terms of religion and ethnicity.

Sudan established a military presence in the region of South Sudan following a referendum vote, prompting a conflict.

Sudan and South Sudan’s border is a transition zone between Africa’s Islamic northern region and the Christian and animist regions of sub-Saharan Africa.