SUPRANATIONALISM TENDENCY FOR STATES TO GIVE UP POLITICAL POWER TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY IN PURSUIT OF COMMON OBJECTIVES (political, economic, military, environmental) FRQ:2 Supranationalism and Devolution

SUPRANATIONALISM Involves multiple national states (two or more) with a common goal. Examples: European Union NAFTA UN NATO

DEVOLUTION A kind of decentralization whereby a state transfers some power to a self- defined community, such as one of its national groups Process whereby regions within a state demand and gain political strength and growing autonomy at the expense of the central government. Breakup of a state (balkanization)

Examples of Devolution Break up of a state Yugoslavia / Balkans Former U.S.S.R. Czechoslovakia Austria-Hungary Demand for autonomy UK: Scotland, Wales, Ireland, N. Ireland Spain: Basques, Catalonians

EFFECTS OF SUPRANATIONALISM Free Trade (reduced Tariffs) = economic prosperity Common Currency Open Borders for labor & tourists Greater international influence – Greater political/eco power – More power to compete with economies of other countries

EFFECTS OF SUPRANATIONALISM Loss of Control over individual policy War is less likely Common policy – Resources, agriculture, economic, environment, trade, military

EFFECTS OF DEVOLUTION Formation of new states More power to regions – Formation of new legislatures – Local control over policy Local ethno-nationalism – Linguistic – Religious revival Regional separatism

EFFECTS OF DEVOLUTION Political instability – Civil war – Fighting – Hostility – Ethnic cleansing Economic instability Mass Migration – Refugees – emigration

FRQ #2 Practice The modern state system is engaged in a struggle between the forces of supranationalism and devolution. a. Define both terms and give a geographic example of each. (5 pts) b. With reference to the political and economic geography of Europe, briefly discuss 2 changes resulting from supranationalism. (10 pts) c. With reference to the political and economic geography of Europe, briefly discuss 2 changes resulting from devolution. (10 pts)