Glossary
Multinational State
A state that encompasses two or more distinct nations within its geographical boundaries.
Example:
Canada is a multinational state, home to both the Anglophone and Francophone (Québécois) nations, among others.
Multistate Nation
A nation whose population is distributed across the borders of two or more sovereign states.
Example:
The Korean people form a multistate nation, divided between the sovereign states of North Korea and South Korea.
Nation
A group of people united by a shared culture, language, history, or identity, often possessing a sense of common destiny.
Example:
The Navajo people, with their distinct language, traditions, and historical lands, constitute a nation within the United States.
Nation-State
A sovereign state where the majority of the population shares a common cultural identity, creating a strong sense of national unity.
Example:
Japan is often cited as a prime example of a nation-state, as over 98% of its population identifies as ethnically Japanese.
Political Geography
The study of how political processes and events influence and are influenced by spatial patterns, focusing on power, boundaries, and governance across the world.
Example:
Understanding why the borders of countries in Africa often follow straight lines, a legacy of colonial political geography, helps explain current regional conflicts.
State
A political entity with defined borders, a permanent population, a functioning government, and recognized sovereignty over its territory.
Example:
The United States is a classic example of a state, possessing clear boundaries, a large population, a federal government, and international recognition.
Stateless Nation
A nation that lacks its own sovereign state and is often dispersed across multiple existing states.
Example:
The Kurds are a prominent stateless nation, with a significant population spread across parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, seeking greater autonomy or their own state.