Political Divisions
SOL WG.10a, b
Essential Questions
What are some examples of political
divisions at the local and regional
levels?
What are some reasons for political
divisions at the local and regional
levels?
How do political divisions generate
conflicts?
Essential Questions
Why do political divisions cooperate?
What are some examples of political
divisions are the national and
international levels?
Examples of Political Divisions
Neighborhoods
Election districts
School districts
Regional districts
Cities
Counties
States
Reasons for Divisions
Desire for government closer to home
Need to solve local problems
Need to administer resources more
efficiently
Reasons for Conflict
Boundary disputes
Cultural differences
Economic differences
Competition for scarce resources
Political advantages (gerrymandering)
Reasons for Cooperation
Natural disasters
Economic advantages
Cultural similarities
Addressing regional issues
International Political Divisions
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
European Union
Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries
North American Free Trade Agreements
United Nations
International Political Divisions
Organization of American States
League of Arab States
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
African Union
NATO
A political alliance of 26
countries from Europe
and North America that
has pledged to safeguard
freedom and democracy.
Key members: United States, France, Britain, Germany
EU
An economic and
political union of 27
democratic European
countries. It introduced
a common currency
called the Euro.
OPEC
OPEC sets the price and production of oil for
member countries. Key members are Saudi
Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and UAE.
NAFTA
NAFTA is a trade agreement that was signed by the
United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAFTA
eliminated most tariffs between the three members
creating a free trade zone.
United Nations
192/195 nations are
members of the United
Nations. The purpose
of the UN is to promote
world peace and
security.
OAS
The OAS is a political union that
includes all 35 countries in North
And South America.
League of Arab States
The League of Arab
States is composed of
countries that are Muslim
and speak Arabic.
ASEAN
ASEAN is an economic
organization in Southeast
Asia.
African Union
The African Union is a political
organization in Africa.
Reasons for Political Divisions
Differences in culture, language, religion
Retention of historical boundaries
Imperial conquest and control
Economic similarities and differences
Reasons for Conflict
Boundary and territorial disputes
Examples: Syria/Israel, Western
Sahara/Morocco, China/Taiwan, and
India/Pakistan
Cultural differences - Indonesia,
Canada, Sudan
Nationalism
Reasons for Conflict
Economic differences (fertile land,
access to fresh water, access to coast,
fishing rights, natural resources,
different economic philosophies)
Ethnic differences - Balkans, Cyprus,
Kashmir
Examples of Cooperation
Red Cross/Red Crescent
Law of the Sea
Antarctica Treaty/UN peacekeepers
Peace Corps
Alliances for environmental preservation
Foreign aid