Forms of Governance
Isabella Hernandez
9 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers governance and political geography, focusing on forms of governance (democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, etc.), federal vs. unitary systems, shapes of states (compact, elongated, prorupted, perforated), and the impact of globalization and supranationalism. It provides examples, practice questions, and exam tips to help prepare for the AP Human Geography exam.
#AP Human Geography: Governance & Political Geography - Night Before Review 🚀
Hey there, future geographer! Let's get you prepped for the exam. This guide is designed to be your quick, go-to resource for a final review. We'll hit the key points and make sure you're feeling confident. Let's dive in!
#Foundations of Governance
#What is Governance?
Governance is simply how a community or organization makes decisions and uses its authority. It’s about who gets to decide and how those decisions are made. Think of it as the rulebook and the referees for a society. 💡
- Key Idea: Governance structures vary widely, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
#Forms of Governance
Let's break down some of the main types:
- Democracy: Power to the people! Citizens have a say, either directly or through elected representatives.
- Direct Democracy: Citizens vote on everything (think ancient Athens).
- Representative Democracy: Citizens elect officials to make decisions (like the U.S.).
- Autocracy: One person or group holds all the power. 👑
- Monarchy: Rule by a king or queen.
- Dictatorship: Rule by a single leader with absolute power.
- Totalitarianism: A system where the state controls every aspect of life.
- Oligarchy: A small group holds power (often based on wealth, race, or gender). 💰
- Federalism: Power is shared between a central government and regional governments. 🤝
- Anarchy: No central authority; decisions are made through voluntary cooperation. 🕊️
Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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Which of the following best describes a unitary system of government? (A) Power is divided between a central government and regional governments. (B) Power is held primarily by the central government. (C) Power is shared among multiple political parties. (D) Power is distributed equally among all citizens. (E) Power is concentrated in the hands of a single dictator.
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A country where a small group of wealthy elites controls the government is best described as: (A) a democracy (B) an autocracy (C) an oligarchy (D) a federal state (E) an anarchy
Free Response Question:
Explain the difference between a federal and unitary system of government. Provide one real-world example of each system and discuss a potential advantage and disadvantage of each system.
Scoring Rubric:
- Explanation of Federal System (1 point): A clear definition of federalism as a system where power is shared between a central government and regional or state governments.
- Example of Federal System (1 point): A valid example of a country with a federal system, such as the United States, Canada, or Germany.
- Advantage of Federal System (1 point): A reasonable advantage of federalism, such as accommodating regional differences or preventing tyranny through checks and balances.
- Disadvantage of Federal System (1 point): A reasonable disadvantage of federalism, such as potential conflicts between central and regional governments or inefficiencies due to overlapping jurisdictions.
- Explanation of Unitary System (1 point): A clear definition of a unitary system as a system where power is held primarily by the central government.
- Example of Unitary System (1 point): A valid example of a country with a unitary system, such as France, China, or the United Kingdom.
- Advantage of Unitary System (1 point): A reasonable advantage of a unitary system, such as efficiency in decision-making or national unity.
- Disadvantage of Unitary System (1 point): A reasonable disadvantage of a unitary system, such as potential for ignoring regional needs or over-centralization of power.
#Federal vs. Unitary Systems
#Federal Systems
- Power is shared between the central (federal) and local (state/regional) governments.
- Think of it like a layered cake, where each layer (federal, state, local) has its own responsibilities.
- Examples: United States, Canada, Germany, India, Australia, Brazil
Caption: A visual representation of power distribution in a federal system.
#Unitary Systems
- Power is primarily held by the central government.
- Local governments are essentially extensions of the central government.
- Think of it like a single pizza, where the central government controls all the slices.
- Examples: France, China, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore
Key Point: Federal systems often suit large, diverse countries, while unitary systems can be more efficient in smaller, more homogeneous states.
#Shapes of States (Morphology)
The shape of a state can impact its governance, communication, and defense. Let's look at the main types:
#State Shapes
- Compact: Roundish, with the center easily accessible from all borders. ⚽
- Example: Poland, Romania
- Benefit: Efficient trade and communication.
- Elongated: Long and stretched out, like a banana. 🍌
- Example: Chile, Norway
- Challenge: Difficult communication and defense.
- Prorupted: Compact with a large extension. 🫒
- Example: Thailand, India
- Challenge: Extension might be hard to control.
- Perforated: Has another state entirely within its borders. 🍩
- Example: South Africa (surrounds Lesotho), Italy (surrounds Vatican City)
- Challenge: Landlocked state is dependent on the surrounding state.
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Compact |
|
| Elongated |
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| Prorupted |
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| Perforated |
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Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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Which of the following is the best example of an elongated state? (A) Poland (B) South Africa (C) Chile (D) Thailand (E) France
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A state that completely surrounds another state is known as: (A) compact (B) elongated (C) prorupted (D) perforated (E) fragmented
Free Response Question:
Describe the four primary shapes of states (compact, elongated, prorupted, and perforated). For each shape, provide a real-world example and discuss one challenge that each shape might pose to the state's governance or development.
Scoring Rubric:
- Description of Compact State (1 point): A clear description of a compact state as roundish with the center easily accessible from all borders.
- Example of Compact State (1 point): A valid example of a compact state, such as Poland or Romania.
- Challenge of Compact State (1 point): A reasonable challenge posed by a compact state, such as the need for efficient transportation networks.
- Description of Elongated State (1 point): A clear description of an elongated state as long and stretched out.
- Example of Elongated State (1 point): A valid example of an elongated state, such as Chile or Norway.
- Challenge of Elongated State (1 point): A reasonable challenge posed by an elongated state, such as difficult communication and defense.
- Description of Prorupted State (1 point): A clear description of a prorupted state as compact with a large extension.
- Example of Prorupted State (1 point): A valid example of a prorupted state, such as Thailand or India.
- Challenge of Prorupted State (1 point): A reasonable challenge posed by a prorupted state, such as the extension being hard to control.
- Description of Perforated State (1 point): A clear description of a perforated state as having another state entirely within its borders.
- Example of Perforated State (1 point): A valid example of a perforated state, such as South Africa surrounding Lesotho.
- Challenge of Perforated State (1 point): A reasonable challenge posed by a perforated state, such as the landlocked state being dependent on the surrounding state.
#Globalization & Supranationalism
#Globalization
- Increased global trade, connections, and interactions. 🌐
- Technology has made the world smaller and more interconnected.
- Can challenge state sovereignty as borders become less important for trade and information flow.
- Example: The Arab Spring showed how social media can spread ideas and movements rapidly.
#Supranationalism
- Multiple countries form an organization for mutual benefit. Think of it as a team of countries. 🤝
- Economic Supranationalism: Focuses on trade and economic benefits.
- Examples: WTO, ASEAN, OPEC
- Military & Strategic Supranationalism: States work together for mutual defense.
- Examples: NATO, Warsaw Pact
Memory Aid: Remember Globalization is like a Giant web connecting the world, while Supranationalism is like States joining forces.
#Transnational Companies
- Companies that operate across multiple countries. 🏢
- Can weaken state sovereignty as they have economic power that transcends borders.
- Examples: Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple
#Impact of Supranationalism
- Positive: Can revitalize economies, provide mutual defense, and address global issues.
- Negative: Can lead to environmental challenges (pollution from transnational corporations) and require international cooperation to solve.
Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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Which of the following is an example of a supranational organization primarily focused on economic cooperation? (A) NATO (B) United Nations (C) OPEC (D) Warsaw Pact (E) Amnesty International
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The increased interconnectedness of the world through trade, technology, and cultural exchange is known as: (A) nationalism (B) regionalism (C) globalization (D) isolationism (E) protectionism
Free Response Question:
Define globalization and supranationalism. Explain how globalization can challenge state sovereignty and discuss the positive and negative impacts of supranationalism, providing examples to support your points.
Scoring Rubric:
- Definition of Globalization (1 point): A clear definition of globalization as the increased interconnectedness of the world through trade, technology, and cultural exchange.
- Explanation of Challenge to State Sovereignty (1 point): A reasonable explanation of how globalization can challenge state sovereignty, such as through the weakening of borders for trade or the rapid spread of ideas.
- Definition of Supranationalism (1 point): A clear definition of supranationalism as multiple countries forming an organization for mutual benefit.
- Positive Impact of Supranationalism (1 point): A valid positive impact of supranationalism with an example, such as economic revitalization through organizations like the WTO or mutual defense through organizations like NATO.
- Negative Impact of Supranationalism (1 point): A valid negative impact of supranationalism with an example, such as environmental challenges from transnational corporations or the need for international cooperation to address global issues.
#Final Exam Focus 🎯
Okay, let's get down to the brass tacks. Here's what you absolutely need to nail for the exam:
- Federal vs. Unitary Systems: Know the differences, examples, and pros/cons. (See: Federal Systems, Unitary Systems)
- Shapes of States: Understand how the shape affects governance and development. (See: Shapes of States)
- Globalization & Supranationalism: Know how these forces impact state sovereignty. (See: Globalization, Supranationalism)
- Key Terms: Make sure you can define and explain terms like democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, and anarchy. (See: Forms of Governance)
#Exam Tips
- Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
Remember to pace yourself!
Use the rubric as a checklist to make sure you've covered all the points.
Sometimes the best answer is the one that's least wrong!
Double-check your definitions!
#Last Minute Pep Talk 💪
You've got this! You've studied hard, and you're ready to show off your knowledge. Take a deep breath, stay calm, and approach the exam with confidence. You're not just memorizing facts; you're understanding how the world works. Now go out there and rock that AP Human Geography exam!
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