Evolution of the Contemporary Political Pattern APHG Topic IV: The Political Organization of Space 1

This part of the political geography topic requires you to know: the nation-state concept colonialism and imperialism Independence movements + democratization fall of communism and legacy of the Cold War Where you see this sign, please complete the activity.

The Nation-State Concept Refer to the handout notes on the rise of the modern state.

What is sovereignty? It is the exercise of state power over people and territory, recognized by other states and codified in international law.

What is nationalism? It is a feeling of belonging to a nation; also, the belief that a nation has a natural right to determine its own affairs

Colonialism and imperialism

Some key terms: Colonialism = the establishment and maintenance of political and legal domination by a state over a separate and alien society Imperialism = extension of the power of a nation through direct or indirect control of the economic and political life of other territories

European countries began developing world empires around 1500 European countries began developing world empires around 1500. Most achieved their maximum extent by the late 19th century. In the 20th century, most of these empires were dissolved.

Dominant Colonial Influences, 1550-1950 This map shows the dominant influence, as some places were colonized by more than one power in this time period.

There were two phases of large-scale colonization: 1415-1800 Late 19th century to post-World War II

The first phase of colonization

1415-1800 This phase was dominated by trading companies except in Latin America, where the Spanish imposed the rule of the monarch directly, using the reconquista policy. During this period, colonialists focused on the Americas and South Asia. The Russians directed their energy eastward into Siberia.

This phase of colonization was characterized by conquest, plunder, slavery, and the annihilation of indigenous people. For example, the Aztec population decreased from 13 million to 2 million by 1600.

The second phase of colonization

Late 19th century to post-World War II This phase was characterized by economic exploitation and was arguably less destructive on societies. The focus was on Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

European colonies in Africa, 1496-1912.

What were the effects of colonialism? The reduction of population pressure in core regions Dependence theory = the argument that less developed countries depend for their survival on their links with dominant, more developed countries, links formed during the colonial period. This is especially true in African and Asian countries.

Decolonization In 1938 there were 70 states in the world Decolonization In 1938 there were 70 states in the world. In 2009 there are +190 states in the world. What has happened in the past few decades?

Two Waves of Decolonization Decolonization = the acquisition by colonized peoples of control over their own territory First wave – focused on decolonization of the Americas Second wave – focused on decolonization of Africa and Asia

Most new states have achieved independence from a colonial power Most new states have achieved independence from a colonial power. The transition to independence has sometimes been violent, sometimes peaceful. The idea of national identity originated in Europe, but it has been welcomed by colonial areas discontented with colonial rule. Neocolonialism: Decolonization does not necessarily signal an end to domination within the world system. Neocolonialism is the use of economic, political, and cultural arrangements to influence a country, in the absence of more direct control.

Decolonization of Africa, before and after 1960

Democratization

There was colonialism and imperialism… And then there was decolonization When colonized people reacquire control over their own territory In many cases sovereign statehood has been achievable only through armed conflict And in many cases democratization: the transition to a more democratic political regime. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/140743/Political-scientist- Francis-Fukuyama-author-of-The-End-of-History Activity: Watch the short video (see link above), and make a list of conditions that enable or encourage democratization.

People gather in front of the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the opening of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. In October of that year, East Germany's hard-line communist leadership had been forced from power during the wave of democratization that swept through Eastern Europe.

Fall of communism and Legacy of the Cold War

The East/West Divide Refers to the gulf (gap) between communist and non-communist countries Has played a significant role in global politics since at least the end of WW II in 1945 and even, perhaps, since the Russian Revolution in 1917 By the 2nd decade of the 20th c., major world powers were backing away from colonization but were reluctant to encourage decolonization for fear that independent countries in Africa and other regions would succumb to communist political and economic systems rather than Western capitalism

The Cold War The state of heightened military and political tension as well as economic competition between the former USSR and its satellite states on one side and the US and its allies on the other, lasting from 1946 to 1991

The case of Cuba: Activity: Read pp. 360-361, ’The Arab Spring and Its Aftermath.’ What is the Arab Spring? Why are there different types of protests and different responses by the various governments to these protests among the many countries that participated in the Arab Spring?

Legacy of the Cold War The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, and the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Consequently, former socialist and communist countries such as China and Russia opened up to Western-style capitalist economic development. US President George H. W. Bush (dad) made a speech in 1991 referring to a “new world order” following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This new world order assumes that with the triumph of capitalism over communism, the US is the only world superpower and therefore its policing force. The US’s political, economic and cultural dominance leads it to promote, worldwide, liberal democracy and a global economy built on transnational corporate growth through organizations like the World Bank and the World Trade Organization.

This move toward liberal, Western-style democracies and the capitalist consumption practices necessary to the success of this global economy has created instability in some parts of the world, especially where Cold War struggle between the USSR and US was significant, e.g. Afghanistan. In the post-Cold War era, radical forms of warfare and political practices have replaced more conventional ones. Examples: The attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 The resulting war on terrorism