Political Geography Lab PDF

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Political Geography Lab Report...

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Geog 101

Lab 6: Political Geography

11th Nov 2016

Total Points 45 Part I: Concepts in Political Geography 1.Based on your readings and class discussion, distinguish between the following terms. Also provide examples of countries/organizations that best illustrate these characteristics (or processes). (6 points) a. Nation vs. Nation-State Nation – a group of people who feel bound by a common language, culture, religion, history, or ethnicity (Ex. Kurds and Basque) Nation-State – a homogenous group of people governed by their own state (Ex. Japan, Poland, and Iceland) b. Enclave vs. Exclave Enclave – a state that is surrounded by another state that does not rule it (Ex. Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa) Exclave – a territorial outlier of a state; part of a state that is fragmented or separated (Ex. Spanish Exclaves in North Africa and France) c. Supernationalism vs. Devolution Supernationalism – represents the global trend towards developing associations of three or more states created for mutual benefit and for achieving common goals both political and economic (Ex. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), United Nations (UN), and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)) Devolution – a response to managing centrifugal forces (Ex. Wales and Scotland have their own National Assembly and Parliament) 2. Why are the Kurds or Basques described as stateless nations? Choose any one of these stateless nations and write a short paragraph describing their claims, demands and objectives (You may use online resources to find out more about them). (4 points) Due to their inferiority in their nation states, both the Kurds and Basques are defined as stateless nations, meaning their ethnic minorities do not have the power or ability to claim their own state. The Kurds are considered a stateless nation because their ethnicity is dispersed across many different countries, including Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey. Within each of these countries, the Kurds are denied the jurisdiction to call themselves a state. The Kurds have been denied autonomy from Turkey despite the fact that the country is

supported by the United States. In terms of Iraq, the Kurds are only allowed autonomy because of the United States request in the writing of the constitution. Lastly, both the Syrians and Iranians actively exclude the Kurds and indefinitely repress their right to individual expression. With the preceding information in mind as well as the inability to self-govern and no unified traditions, the Kurds cannot control any independent territories that would conceivably belong to a Kurdish Country. In this sense, the Kurds are considered a stateless nation. Considering their current position within the said countries, the Kurds choose to retaliate through specific demands and objectives. A vast number of Kurds press for demands concerning the PKK, such as democratic autonomy to remove bias against the Kurds and end decriminalization of those whose speeches are interpreted as offensive and terroristic. The Kurds also urge for criminal penalties to be depreciated in relation to diverse criminal offenses, specifically that of the guerillas, under the circumstances they lay down their arms. For the Kurds in Turkey, many desire a new constitution based on multiculturalism that redefines Turkey’s national identity. Alongside this, the Kurds long for different universities to accommodate the Kurdish language for those looking into receiving higher education in Kurdish. 3.Using a world Map (use the map on pg. 3-26 in the Lab manual), mark and label the following: (10 points) *none of the examples should overlap. Two States Two Nation-States Two Part-Nation States (Belonging to the Arab Nation) Two Stateless-Nations An Enclave Part II: European Union Explore the following websites: https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries_en http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/policy/from-6-to-28-members/index_en.htm Based on the information in these websites and your text and class discussion answer the following questions about EU. 1a. Name the 6 original member countries of the EU, previously known as European Economic Community (EEC). (6 points) Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands 1b. What were the initial reasons for establishing the EEC in 1950s? (2 points)

The initial reasons for establishing the EEC were to foster economic cooperation through trade amongst the member nations and become interdependent amongst each other in order to avoid conflict. 1c. Name 3 of the countries that joined the 6 original members of EEC in 1973 making it an organization of 9 member states. (3 points) Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom 1d. What are the current criteria for membership in the EU? Mention at least three of them. (3 points) Stable institutions that guarantee democracy, rule of law, and human rights and respect for and protection of minorities 1e. Name one candidate country that has applied to become a member of the EU? (1 point) Serbia 2. Using the map of Europe that is provided (pg 3-30 in Lab Manual), create a qualitative map that chronicles the development of the Union based on the dates in which the member states joined the union. Use specific color/symbol to present all the member states that joined EU in specific year. Create an appropriate index to explain your map. Label each country. (10)...