Consequences of Disunity (Edexcel A Level Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Jacque Cartwright
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Nationalist Movements
Nation or state?
Confusion arises around the terms nation or state or even nation-state and which one to use.
The term nationalism is used to describe pride and promotion of sovereign and non-sovereign regions which leads to more confusion
For example, when talking about 'African nations' it refers to sovereign states (the countries) but the 'United Nations' is an organisation of nation-states
Differences Between a Nation and a State
Nation | State |
|---|---|
A nation is a group of people with common traditions, culture, language, or history and willing to live together. A nation is dynamic and always changing | The State must have all the following: a population, a territory, a government and sovereignty (power to govern) |
Nations do not have judicial laws, but have unwritten traditions, customs and rules | States create laws and rules that are mandatory |
Not all nations have a state. They can form other territorial entities, such as communities, regions or villages | A state is based on one or several nations |
A nation is historical and sociological | The state is a political concept |
Nations evolve and are more stable | States are created and rely on soverignty |
Nations can survive without a defined territory | States have a defined, fixed territory |
Consequences of disunity
There are strong nationalist movements seeking to create independent, smaller states (separatism) whilst remaining within larger trading groups (Catalonia or Scotland wishing to be separate but remain in the EU)
These nationalistic movements arise due to:
Differences in languages and cultures
Peripheral location geographically (Bangladesh was once part of Pakistan but separated by India)
Alienation from central government
Or a combination of above factors
If national divisions are significant enough, it can lead to a demand for secession - where part of a state is separated in order to create a new and independent country
Demands for secession
Independence Movements
| Catalonia | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
Where | Autonomous region of Spain, a triangular area in the northeastern corner of Spain. It is bordered by France and Andorra to the north | Northern region of the UK |
Language | Catalan | English with Scots and Scottish Gaelic as minority languages |
Background | Autonomy existed prior to Spanish Civil War, but was withdrawn by Nationalist General Franco as Catalan had sided with the losing Republicans. Recognised as a separate nationality by the new democratic government in 1979, but not granted independence. | The Scots have always resented the way their nation is controlled by English politicians sitting Westminster. Ancient conflicts with the English stir up strong feelings on nationalism, yet in 2014, the Scottish people chose to remain part of the UK - but only just |
Recent movement | Large pro-independence demonstrations held which culminated in an independence referendum being held in October 2017. The referendum attracted a 43% turnout, with 90% of the votes returning 'yes'. This was enough for Catalan President Carles Puigdemont to declare independence from Spain. The Spanish government in Madrid declared it illegal and Madrid imposed direct rule on the region shortly afterwards. | Very few supported the Conservative or Labour Party in Scotland during the 2019 General Election. Out of 59 Scottish seats, 48 were won by the SNP (Scottish National Party), which advocates full Scottish independence. Although Scotland has an income from oil and gas, recent price fluctuations means that independence may cost more than nationalists suggested. |
Result | No other state recognised the result as valid and independence wasn't gained. Some leaders of the separatist movement were put on trial, and others fled the country. The trial increased tensions with Madrid and support for independence is mixed. | In 2020, support for Scottish independence is higher than in 2014, and a second referendum is being pushed for. Brexit may be the catalyst for a Scottish independence as support for the EU is strong with over 60% of Scotland voting to 'remain' in the EU |
Political Tensions in Emerging Nations
There are significant political tensions in the BRIC and other emerging nations resulting from the uneven pattern of the costs and benefits of globalisation
In some instances, these uneven, internal regional or ethnic divisions threaten to dis-unify nation-states
Emerging Economy | Internal Tensions |
|---|---|
Brazil | Divisions arose over the costs of hosting of the World Cup (2014) and the Olympic Games (2016). Protesters argued that the money would have been better spent in alleviating poverty. Many of the promises of improved homes, infrastructure and schools never materialised and many of the stadiums and Olympic Village sits abandoned and vandalised. Indigenous communities of the Amazon are facing loss of ancestral land from land-grabbers after deforestation. Many communities have been threatened and even killed, in attempts to oust them from their land. Bolsonaro elected in 2019, divided Brazilian society on a wide range of issues from anti-LGBT rights and support for deforestation |
Russia | Internal tensions on Russian nationalism are a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that have political, social and cultural dimensions and many link back to the era of the Soviet Union Russification was a policy of enforcing Russian culture on the vast numbers of ethnic minorities that lived in Russia. It involved promoting Russian language, religion, education, and administration over other cultures and suppressing their rights and identities. |
India | There are long-standing tensions between the Hindi majority and Muslim minority and Prime Minister Modi's 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act is seen as a way to alienate India's Muslims Kashmir in the northwest is a difficult region to control and is disputed with Pakistan Several separatist movements in the northeast of the country Tripura, Nagaland and Mizoram |
China | Separatist pressure exists in Tibet and in the west where the mostly Muslim Uyghur ethnic group live, resulting in the Chinese government constructing 're-education camps', which some observers have commented as an action to genocide. Internally, there is large rural to urban migration and the hukou system has resulted in migrants not having full rights when they move to urban areas. Hong Kong has seen pro-democracy protests as a response to Beijing's move to exert more control within the semi-autonomous region. China's new National Security Law (2020) effectively gives control over Hong Kong - although this is in breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1985 |
Role of State & National Identity
The role of the state is variable and national identity is not always strong, especially in ‘failed states’ where there are stark differences between the politically and economically powerful elite, foreign investment groups and the wider population
Where a government has lost political control and is unable to provide it basic responsibilities; unity and loyalty to the state is lost and it becomes 'a failed state'
Many African states were artificially created under European rule in the 19th century, and this threw differing indigenous communities together
In the immediate post-colonial period, statesmanship was lost as these communities squabbled amongst themselves for ultimate power, creating a lack of internal cohesion allowing for newly emerging nations to quickly fail
It also exposed the differences between those with political and economic power and the wider population and bred corruption and inherent instability
Sudan
The Sudan became independent in 1955
During its colonial past, Britain divided it along ethnic lines
Arabs in the north
Mostly black African ethnic groups in the south
This separated the country ethnically and culturally
In 2011, after 50 years of internal struggles and a loss of 2 million lives, the Sudan gave up on unity
The new state of South Sudan was declared
The remainder of Sudan kept its name and the capital city - Khartoum
As a state, South Sudan has the worst health and development indicators in the world
Internal issues include:
Violence and corruption jeopardising peace and development efforts
Ethnic conflict that has killed and displaced thousands of civilians. South Sudan has 64 ethnic groups with the largest being the Dinkas, who make up around 35% of the population and dominate in government.
Lack of a viable governing system and widespread political conflict
Food insecurity and malnutrition caused by drought and economic failures
Cattle are used as food and as a store of wealth. It takes 20 cows to buy a bride if a young man hopes to marry, which encourages cattle raiding and ethnic conflict
Attacks on humanitarian workers and suspension of aid support
Solution?
There are no easy solutions to internal disunity
Many of the borders were drawn by past colonial rule, which threw unrelated ethnic groups together and created further tensions when independence was subsequently gained
Even secession can create issues, as South Sudan has shown
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Although many of the failed states are due to past colonial rule, it is important that you find a balance in your argument when discussing disunity. Remember that although they are unsettled and waring amongst themselves, national tendencies may eventually unite these states. Rwanda is a positive example of this, where despite the legacy of genocide, reparations are being made through intermarriages of Tutsis and Hutus, in a bid to unite the country and become a single nation-state with one voice.
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