Nation States (Edexcel A Level Geography): Flashcards
Exam code: 9GE0
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Define state in political geography.
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Define state in political geography.
A state is a self-governing political entity with sovereignty, a government, territory and population, over which no other state has higher authority.
Define nation.
A nation is a group of people sharing common identity and territory that may or may not have sovereignty or an independent state.
What are the five key characteristics of a sovereign state?
A sovereign state has highest territorial authority, a permanent population, defined boundaries, an independent government, and the ability to interact diplomatically with other states.
True or False?
A sovereign state must be recognised by all other states to exist.
False.
A sovereign state can exist without recognition, but unrecognised states struggle to make treaties or have diplomatic relations.
The UK is a state, while Wales and Scotland are within it.
The UK is a sovereign state, while Wales and Scotland are nations within it.
National identities like or can form from long-term and mixing.
National identities like American or Italian can form from long-term migration and mixing.
Why are Iceland and North Korea often seen as more culturally homogenous states?
Iceland is physically isolated, limiting migration, while North Korea is politically isolated, restricting interaction and cultural mixing with foreign populations.
Define national border.
A national border is a man-made demarcation line separating sovereign states, often following physical features, historical agreements, or cultural divisions.
Give two examples of physical features used as national borders.
Examples include the Rio Grande River between the USA and Mexico, and the Andes Mountains between Chile and Argentina.
True or False?
Many African borders reflect indigenous ethnic distributions.
False.
Many African borders were drawn by European colonial powers, often as straight lines, ignoring indigenous ethnic and cultural distributions.
Belgium was created in as a state between France and the Netherlands.
Belgium was created in 1830–1831 as a buffer state between France and the Netherlands.
Define contested border.
A contested border is a boundary whose sovereignty, ownership or legitimacy is disputed by one or more states or groups.
Name three main causes of contested borders.
Key causes include: territorial expansion, uniting culturally similar populations, and gaining access to valuable resources such as oil, gas or strategic seas.
Define nationalism.
A political ideology stressing loyalty and devotion to a nation, often based on shared culture, language, history or territory.
Define empire.
A group of territories or peoples controlled by a single state that extends its political, economic, military and cultural influence over others.
How did nationalism encourage imperial expansion in the 19th century?
It created pride and superiority, convincing citizens their nation should spread its civilisation and values, helping justify and drive empire-building.
True or False?
Nationalism only supported empires and never challenged them.
False.
Nationalism also inspired resistance movements and independence struggles among colonised peoples seeking self-rule and sovereignty.
The rapid European race to seize African territory in the late 19th century is known as the .
The rapid European race to seize African territory in the late 19th century is known as the Scramble for Africa.
War with in 1871 helped unite many German-speaking states into the new nation of Germany.
War with France in 1871 helped unite many German-speaking states into the new nation of Germany.
Define decolonisation.
The process by which colonies gain independence, leading to the breakup of empires and the formation of new nation states.
What did Macmillan’s “wind of change” speech refer to?
It referred to the growing independence movements, especially in Africa, and the widespread end of colonial rule after 1945.
True or False?
Running large empires after 1945 became too costly for Britain and France.
True.
High administrative and security costs after the Second World War pushed Britain and France to grant independence to many colonies.
Post-1945 migration from Jamaica to the UK, especially the generation, helped fill labour shortages.
Post-1945 migration from Jamaica to the UK, especially the Windrush generation, helped fill labour shortages.
Post-war migration from former colonies has increased Britain’s heterogeneity, especially in London, Liverpool and Bristol.
Post-war migration from former colonies has increased Britain’s cultural heterogeneity, especially in London, Liverpool and Bristol.
Why did many doctors from India and Pakistan migrate to Britain after WWII?
The new NHS lacked doctors, and their medical training matched British standards, so they were recruited to fill healthcare shortages.
Define tax haven.
A tax haven is a country or territory offering low or zero taxes and financial secrecy, attracting TNC profits and wealthy individuals from other states.
Why do TNCs move operations to low-tax regime states?
They move to reduce tax bills, benefit from freer capital movement, and increase profits by registering income where corporate tax rates are lower.
Low tax regimes are often linked to higher and lower public spending on .
Low tax regimes are often linked to higher income inequality and lower public spending on social services.
How has Ireland attracted large amounts of FDI?
Ireland uses a 12.5% corporate tax rate, far lower than some neighbours, encouraging TNCs to locate there and bring in large FDI inflows.
Define tax avoidance.
Tax avoidance is the legal use of loopholes and tax rules to reduce a person’s or company’s tax bill without breaking the law.
What is corporate profit-shifting in relation to tax havens?
It is when a TNC registers profits in a low-tax country (often its headquarters location) so it pays less tax on global earnings.
Many governments and IGOs have largely tax havens, while many have raised objections.
Many governments and IGOs have largely accepted tax havens, while many NGOs have raised objections.
True or False?
Tax havens can both boost economies and encourage corruption.
True.
They can attract investment and growth, but also reduce tax revenues, limit investment in LDEs, and encourage corruption and secrecy.
Define Gini coefficient.
A Gini coefficient is a statistical measure of income inequality, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (maximum inequality) within a country or group.
How does inequality affect economic stability?
Higher inequality is linked to less stable economies, more financial crises, debt, and inflation, and more low-paid, low-skilled jobs with poor prospects.
In 2021, Oxfam reported that the 10 richest men owned more wealth than the bottom billion people.
In 2021, Oxfam reported that the 10 richest men owned more wealth than the bottom 3.1 billion people.
True or False?
Bolivia’s policies have reduced inequality but left GDP per person relatively low.
True.
Inequality fell sharply and many escaped poverty, yet GDP per person remains low compared with neighbours and depends on global oil and gas prices.
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