Geopolitics

According to Pearson Prentice Halls 2003 edition: Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; geographical components must be considered before dealing with any political decision around the world. Governmental policies on foreign aid, immigration, trade, foreign affairs, and environmental protection, to name a few, involve geography as well as politics [Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; Unit5; Chapter21; Page338].

Geopolitics: another facet covered in the course, is essentially the interplay of geography and politics, on either a national or international level [Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; Unit5; Chapter21; Page339].

Therefore, Politics (being the administration and management of state affairs exercising power in the decision-making process of government) and Geography (being defined as a science that deals with the areal differentiation of the earth's surface over the world based on climate, elevation, soil, vegetation, population, land use, industries, and states) combined together forms the study of Geopolitics, which circles both matter under one specific theme.

A multitude of geographical factors come into play when governments make decisions on such issues as determining their borders, developing political spheres of influence, resolving international conflict, forming military alliances, striking trade agreements, developing and protecting natural resources, or controlling access to sea and air routes. Population size, site and situation, topography, climate, economy, resource base, and unique environmental characteristics will influence many political decisions.

[Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; Unit5; Chapter21; Page339]

First and foremost, Bosnia-Herzegovina once used to be a communist nation under the political spheres of influence of Russia during the Cold War. Also, there was an international conflict noted as one of the worst human tragedy in contemporary history dealing with genocide that has received much attention and is considered to have been due to the massacre that took place in Srebrenica (now a UN-designated "safe area" in eastern Bosnia) the most atrocious activity committed in Europe since World War II. As

for natural resources, Worldfactbook [www.cia.gov] under the economy subfolder, showcases a fair range of agricultural products such as: wheat, corn, fruits, and vegetables; livestock, that is grown within the countrys borders as well as industrial products and resources ranging from: steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, aluminum, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, ammunition, domestic appliances and oil refining that is produced within the countrys borders to be utilized and partially exported elsewhere.

Its export partners are, on majority, its neighbouring European countries (Slovenia 18.1%, Croatia 16.4%, Italy 14.7%, Germany 13.8%, and Austria 12.2%) whilst, its importing partners includes some countries outside of European state membership (Croatia 21.6%, Germany 13%, Slovenia 12.9%, Italy 9.5%, Russia 7.5%, Austria 6.1%, and Hungary 4.7%).

Unit 5: Conflict and Cooperation Chapter 21: Introduction to Geopolitics Chapter 22: Conflicts Chapter 23: The Globalization of Terrorism Chapter 24: Working Together to Reduce Conflict

The Nation State is a relatively new concept in regards to an independent nation of people ruled by a government instead of a single ruler (or dynasty), exercising its control over various and changing groups of people living within loosely defined borders. [Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; Unit5; Chapter2; Page339].

Basically, the following outlines what differentiates a Nation from a State:

Nation = a large group of people with a common identity based on factors that may include language, religion, culture, and or ethnic background.

State = political entity comprised of a community of people living in a particular area and ruled by a common government.

Nation State = a political entity which disparate (different) communities sharing similar identity are united under a common government. Characteristics include nationalism, an individuals identification with the state.

***The above definitions, namely: Nation, State, and Nation State, belongs to Mr. Penetta, Grade12 Law and History teacher (course: The West and the World).

Geopolitical issues intro

The Nation States

Political Sovereignty: when a state is more than just a political entity

In terms of Political Sovereignty, a Nation State is a sizable group of people who have adopted a unique common identity as fellow citizens, and who live together under one government within a certain geographical area [Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; Unit5; Chapter2; Page339].

In Canadas case, as with certain other Nation States, multiculturalism forms the identity of the country. Unfortunately, diversity does not always have a positive effect in countries.

In some countries, diversity is viewed as strength, while in others it leads to conflict. [Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; Unit5; Chapter21; Page339]

According to Pearson Prentice Halls 2003 edition: Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; the sovereignty of one Nation State is delineated from that of another by a border.

Political Borders mark the limit of nations laws and security, and at the same time link a specific geographical area with nation identity [] a threat to national sovereignty often results in an armed clash. [Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; Unit5; Chapter21; Page340]

Political Borders can be determined by natural features such as: mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, deserts, and swamps whilst other times, borders are purely arbitrary, or artificial, such as: lines of latitude and longitude, and cannot be seen on the land.

Natural features used to be the earliest boundaries between countries until European powers in Africa during colonial times which gave sudden rise to conflict that continues to this day because they were divided and united different cultural groups without considering geographic and social factors [Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues; Unit5; Chapter21; Page341]. This is very similar to BosniaHerzegovinas case which also resulted into certain civil wars as well.

Also, Bosnia-Herzegovina is a very mountainous and forested region, which could have once been used to determine its political borders.

Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues gives a brief mention of genocide occurring in both the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda on page 340 of Unit 5, Chapter 21. Despite global awareness, Nations preferred to not interfere or get involved in the internal conflicts of the countries mentioned. Since then, a UN Secretary-General at the time, namely Javier Perez de Cueller suggested that: governments [should] no longer regard national sovereignty as a protective barrier behind which human rights could be massively violated. Thus, National Sovereignty is no longer considered as a deterrent to interference nor a factor in the failure to protect those suffering from human rights abuses within their own countries.

Bosnia-Herzegovina as a Nation State

For Bosnia-Herzegovinaa former communist countrywas under the sphere of influence of Russia during the Cold War. As well, its uniqueness in retrospect with its identity is closely related, with the fact that it once was a constituent republic of Yugoslav. Therefore, for all of the reasons highlighted, Bosnia is indeed a Nation State having its own independent legal system and government. Precisely, Bosnia is considered an emerging federal democratic republic (Government). They follow the civil law system; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts.