Political

Geography

► Jesus Dacanay
► Charles Liao
► Kenrick Ocampo-Tan
► Fil Tesoro
The Evolution
of the Modern
State
 What is a modern state?
► Anorganized territory with definite
geographical boundaries

► Has a state government and a body of law

► Offersprotection, order, justice, peace and

trade in exchange for the loyalty of its
citizens
 Goals of the Modern State
► Establish a system of officials to run the state

► Create courts of law and laws to abide by

► Develop a strong economy for the welfare of its

citizens
 History of the Modern State
► The first powerful nation-states were
monarchies, advocates of the divine
right of kings to protect central
authority and power.

► Thissystem relied on the idea that by

concentrating state power in a specific
center (or person) the state could be
easily controlled without any
opposition from others in power.
 History of the Modern State
► Theearliest monarchies that we know
about are the ones in Sumer and
Egypt. These both began around 3000
BC.
 History of the Modern State
► The early Sumerian states needed a
new form of government to govern
larger areas and diverse people. The
states of Sumer were ruled by a priest-
king whose duties included leading the
military, trade, judging disputes and
taking part in vital religious
ceremonies.
 History of the Modern State
► In
Egypt, the pharaoh was the absolute
monarch of the country and had complete
control of the land and its resources.

► The king on the other had was the supreme

military commander and head of the
government, who relied on a group of
officials to manage his affairs.
 Idea of the Modern State
► Developed by European political
philosophers in the 18th century

► Promotes the concept that people owe

allegiance to a state and the people it
represents rather than to its leader
 The Pledge of Allegiance to the
United States Flag
► "Ipledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America, and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God,
God indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
 Development of the Modern
State
► European expansion from the 17th to
the 19th centuries divided most of the
world into colonies

► Thesenew colonies were given fixed

boundaries where none had previously
existed
 Example: AFRICA
► European colonizers imposed new
divisions of the land

► Indigenous tribes that had little in common

were often joined in the same colony, and
this often caused conflicts and disputes
between them
 The Democratic Republic of
Congo
► Aswith most conflicts in Africa, the
current situation has much to do with the
legacy of colonialism.

► After75 years of colonial rule, the

Belgians left very abruptly, relinquishing
the political rights to the people of Congo
in 1960. However, economic rights were
not there for the country to flourish.
 The Democratic Republic of
Congo
► The Second Congo War, beginning in 1998,
devastated the country, involved seven
foreign armies and is sometimes referred to
as the "African World War"

► The Democratic Republic of Congo currently

has the second lowest GDP (the value of all
final goods and services produced within a
nation in a given year) in the entire world
 Development of the Modern
State
► Theidea of separate, independent
statehood grew slowly at first but has
accelerated rapidly over time

► Theend of the European colonial era

brought a rapid increase on the number of
sovereign states
 Development of the Modern
State
► Late1700’s: Around 35 independent
states

► Late1930’s: Around 70 independent

states

► Early1990’s: Nearly 200 independent

states
 Geographic
Characteristics
of States
 Introduction
► Everystate has certain geographic
characteristics by which it can be
described, and sets it apart from all
other states

► The size, shape, and location of a state

distinguishes it from all others, making
every state unique.
 Size: The area that a state
occupies
► MACRO STATES

• Large countries such as Russia, Canada, and Australia

• An easy assumption would be that a larger a state’s area , the

greater is the chance that it will include ores ,energy supplies
and fertile soils from which it can benefit, but much depends
on the location of these resources

• May have vast areas that are remote, sparsely populated and
hard to integrate into the state’s economy and society
 Size: The area that a state
occupies
► MINI STATES/MICRO STATES

• Small states such as Nauru and Singapore

• More apt than larger ones to have a culturally

homogenous population

• Easier to develop transportation and

communication systems to link sections of the
country

• Shorter boundaries to defend against invasion

 The Shape of Countries
► COMPACT STATE: roughly circular in shape

• Most efficient shape for a country

• All places can be reached from the center in

a minimal amount of time

• Shortest possible borders to defend

• Ex: Uruguay, Zimbabwe

 The Shape of Countries
► PRORUPT STATE: nearly compact but
possesses one or sometimes two
narrow extensions of territory

• These extensions may have economic

or strategic significance

• Ex: Thailand, Myanmar

 The Shape of Countries
► ELONGATED STATE: long and narrow countries

• The least efficient shape administratively

• Parts of the country far from the capital are

likely to be isolated

• These countries possess a diversity of climate,

resources, and people

• Ex: Norway, Vietnam

 The Shape of Countries
► FRAGMENTED STATE

• countries composed entirely of islands (ex.

Philippines and Indonesia)

• countries which are partly island and

mainland (ex. Italy)

• countries that are chiefly on the mainland

but whose territory are separated by
another state (ex. United States)
 Exclaves and Enclaves
► Exclaves
when a territorial outlier of one state
is located within another

► Enclaves
the surrounded territory may be a part
of another country or an independent
one
 The Shape of Countries
► PERFORATED STATE: a state that
completely surrounds a territory that it
does not rule

• Ex: The Republic of South Africa

surrounding Lesotho
 Location
► Absolute Location
• the definitive location of a state determined
using a recognized coordinate system

► Relative Location
• a state’s position compared to that of other
countries
 Cores and Capitals of States
► Thecore area of a state usually
contains its most developed economy,
densest population, largest cities, and
best transport systems

► All
of these elements become less
intense away from the national core
 Cores and Capitals of States
► Thecapital city of a state is its
administrative center, usually located
within the state’s core region

► Inmany countries, the capital city is

also the largest city (ex. Mexico City)
Boundaries
The Limits of the State
 Boundaries
► Inother words, a line that establishes
a limit of each state’s jurisdiction and
authority.
 Tax collecting
 Law enforcement
 Air space
 Crossing boundaries
 Provides defense
 Function of a boundary
► Toseparate the sovereignty of one
state from that of its neighbors

► Toindicate where a state has

sovereignty over a land.
The Location of the Boundary
► It determines
 Currency
 Legal code/ laws
 Army
 Language
 Religion
►Shows how a boundary serves as a powerful
reinforcer of cultural variation
 Boundaries Before
► Acts as a border frontier

► Roman Empire and the Chinese

 To separate the themselves from outer
barbarians
Roman Empire
Chinese Empire
1. Roman Empire
►2 rivers (Rhine and Danube)

►Walls against England and South Germany

“Come this far if you wish, but intrusion
within these lines means war”

2. China
- The Great Wall of China
►Separated what was China and what is not
 Territorial Claims
► Three-dimensional
 Marks:
a) Outer limits of a state’s claim
b) Subsurface resources
c) Territorial airspace
 Classification of Boundaries
1. Based on Concrete ideas (Physical or
Geometrical)

2. Based on whether they were

authorized before or after the
features of cultural landscapes
 Based on Concrete Ideas
1. Natural boundaries
 Based on recognizable physiographic features
 They exist in the landscape

Example:
a. Mountains- Alps (England– France,
Germany, Switzerland, etc) , and
Himalayas (India and China),
b. Water system- Rivers and seas
 The Alps

The Himalayas
 Based on Concrete Ideas
2. Geometric Boundaries (artificial)
 Segments of parallels (latitude) and
Meridians (longitude)
 Example:
US-Canada border- 49th parallel
 Based on cultural features
1. Antecedent boundary
 Boundaries the preceded the development of
the features of the cultural landscape
 As societies developed, they fit themselves to
the borders

Example: The US-Canada border- establish

through a treaty between Great Britain
and the US
 Based on cultural features
2. Subsequent boundaries
 Boundaries established after the cultural
pattern had been formed
 Two kinds:
►Consequent- border drawn to based on
religion, language, ethnicity and economic
differences --Northern Ireland and Eire
►Subsequent- border drawn with no regards of
those (above)– Africa (Rwanda)
Ireland
Rwanda
 Based on cultural features
3. Relict Boundaries
 Marked by some landscape
 Lines that have been abandoned for
political purposes

Example:
Hartshorne- former Russon-German
border
 Boundary disputes
► “The more neighbors a state has, the
greater the likelihood of conflict” –
WW2
1. Positional disputes- when states
disagree about the documents that
define their boundaries (antecedent)
- Argentina and Chile– based on oil
and natural gas
2. Territorial Disputes
 Fights for the ownership of a region when a
landscape divides an ethnic population
 Hitler’s justification for German superiority

3. Resource Disputes
 Territory being fought for was due to resources
 Persian Gulf war– oil deposits

4. Functional Disputes
 Happened when neighboring states disagree over
policies to be applied on the boundary
 Immigration, Customs, Land Use
 US and Mexico border
Unite and
Divide
►A political state is a community living
under a government (or without one,
but still bound by a form of social
code).
► People
► Territory
► Sovereignty
► Government
► Recognition
►Size
►Population
►Boundaries
► Topography
►Political Integrity
We now go into the main
topic: what puts a state
together (and apart, and
together again)
Fight for pride…
► Nationalism gives the people of a state a common
identity.
► The concept of a singular national identity helps
the people form a unified population, regardless of
cultural background.
► This unity will help to minimize internal conflicts
that may arise from the presence of
multiculturalism.
► Citizens of a state are taught to declare allegiance to
their homeland/ country.
► They are taught the state’s ideals, laws, and how
they can help in its affairs.
► This allegiance, in turn, gives political strength to the
state.
► States try to ensure the unity (and
continued allegiance) of its population
by giving them symbols that it can
identify with.
► State symbols also give people of other
states its presence.
► If more people can identify with these
symbols, the more a state will be
promoted, and therefore the more
people will want to pledge loyalty to it.
► Likethe symbols of nationalism
mentioned earlier, state institutions
help in promoting the sense of
nationalism essential to the state,
although in a more local setting.
Fight for unity…
► This is the greatest asset to a state’s
identity.
► It may represent the different ideals/
history of a country.
► The national anthem is the most
important song that identifies with the
state. It embodies its ideals and
values.
► Other patriotic songs also help in the
promotion of other aspects of the
state.
 Bayang magiliw,
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso,
Sa dibdib mo'y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig,
'Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y

Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw,
ng luwalhati't pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit
sa piling mo;

Aming ligaya,
na 'pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay
nang dahil sa iyo.
► The government assigns some objects
to be national symbols, so that a state
can be more identified, and promoted.
► These objects are often those that are
unique to the state, or are already
associated with it.
► It may also be objects that are part of
traditions in that state, like in the
Philippines.
► 1 January - New Year's Day
1 April - Holy Thursday
2 April - Good Friday
9 April - Araw Ng Kagitingan
1 May - Labour Day
12 June - Independence Day
21 August - Ninoy Aquino Day
30 August - National Heroes Day
10 September - Eid'l Fitr
1 November - All Saints Day
29 November - Bonifacio Day
25 December - Christmas Day
30 December - Rizal Day
31 December - New Year's Eve 
► Schools teach the children about the
state, its history, its goals, the law,
and traditions. This is in an attempt to
put the treasure trove of knowledge
about the state into children’s hearts
(and maybe heads, too).
► The national language is also taught
in schools, to help facilitate
communication.
► Many states were built around the
religious affiliation of its population.
► In those cases, the religious institution
becomes instrumental in uniting the
people with religion. This in effect will
unite the population, facilitating
promotion of nationalism for the
government.
► The government, through its different institutions
and agencies, also do their part not only in
promoting, but also protecting the interest in the
state.
► A tourism board, government-controlled media
and many local businesses help to promote the
state’s image inside and outside through TV,
advertisements, and produce.
► A military institution, like armed forces, help in
protecting the state’s interests and people. They
pledge absolute allegiance to their state.
Fight against corruption…
► Itis a set of laws which is the basis for
all political entities of a state.
► All government actions must adhere
to this set of laws.
► All new government entities must be
made in accordance to the
constitution.
► The government must ensure that the
people get equal attention and services.
► The government must enforce the law if
it is to keep order in the state.
► The government must ensure that
international laws are also observed.
► The government must be credible,
honest, and selfless in their service.
► Seriously. With all heart and soul.
Fight for faster internet…
► Communication between people of the state is now faster
than ever before, starting with the phone, to the rise of
FRIENDSTER, and now the mobile phone and FACEBOOK.
► The internet, which also facilitates communication, has
been faster also than ever before, beginning with the rise
of My DSL, dial-up, GSM, WCDMA, 3G, HSDPA, 4G, and
now South Korean internet.
► Utilities like these help in sharing of ideas, and ultimately
population unity.
► The concept of mass transport has
been around for centuries, but has
always been advancing.
► With ships, planes, trains and, to a
lesser extent, delivery hotlines,
transportation is now so much faster,
facilitating a country’s positive
growth.
Fight the power…
► The most powerful dividing force of a
state
► Refusal to obey any form of authority.
► An attempt to destroy/ overthrow
such authority.
► These are formed by people who are
already members of a state.
► Injustice to some populations
► Dislike for present government
► Attempts to obtain autonomy
► Desire to overthrow government for a
good cause
► Desire to overthrow government for
self-gain
► Violent(i.e. Terrorism, coup d'état)
► Non-violent (i.e. Mass subversion,
protests, “People Power”)
► A nonviolent
revolution meant
to overthrow the
two-decade rule of
strongman
Ferdinand Marcos.
► This movement
put the first
female president
of the Philippines
into power.
► A series of protests
erupted in Bangkok
from March to May,
led by the National
United Front of
Democracy Against
Dictatorship (UDD,
also “Red Shirts”)
► The movement
sought to replace the
parliament with a
presidential system
of government.
► Originally a peaceful
protest to change the
system of government
(from the current
communist at the time)
► Became chaotic when
the military took violent
countermeasures to quell
the rallies (deaths range
in the thousands, some
sources say as high as
10000 were killed)
► Economic instability

► Political meltdown
►Rise in terrorism
►ANARCHY (in
extreme cases)
► There is a loss of control over territory.
► There is a loss of control over people.
► The government fails to provide even
basic services.
► Inability to participate as a member of the
international community.
Red – Alert
Orange-Warning
Yellow-Moderate
Green-
Sustainable
Gray-No
Information
► Nationalism is the most powerful uniting
force of a state.
► Institutions and symbols help to create a
common identity, and a sense of
nationalism for the people.
► But if dividing forces like
rebellion/revolution/subversion take over, a
state’s integrity may be threatened.
Thank you.