Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
these sets of lines has occasionally fostered significant ethnic and political tension in Africa and else-
where.
This unrest broadly falls into three categories. Before discussing them, however, I need to
make a particular distinction between state and nation. For the purposes of this discussion,
state
is synonymous with country. It refers, therefore, to territory that is delineated by a border
andhassovereign,independentstatus.
Nation,
incontrast,issynonymouswithanethnicgroup
that has its own traditional homeland, history, and culture that causes its members to view
themselves as distinct from other people. Sometimes, for example, particular Native Americ-
an peoples are referred to as the Seminole
Nation,
the Hopi
Nation,
the Sioux
Nation,
and so
forth. That is the meaning of “nation” used here.
Multi-nation states
A
multi-nation state
is a country that contains the homelands of more than one nation. Nigeria, whose
population consists of the homelands of some 200 national (ethnic) groups, is a prime example. The
main problem in this situation is trying to create a common identity and sense of unity among peoples
who speak different languages, practice different religions, and, perhaps worse, have a history of mu-
tual animosity, if not outright hostility. Consider the following scenarios, any one of which might res-
ult in a level of ethnic tension that results in unrest:
Appointed government officials, top military leaders, or chiefs of police are members of an
ethnic group that is distrusted by members of other ethnic groups.
Political parties form along ethnic lines, heightening prospects that election results may
lead to friction between nations.
Government declares official languages or religious holidays that promote the culture of
one or more nations but not others.
The capital is located in (or relocated to) the homeland of a particular nation that is distrus-
ted by others.
Economic development projects are disproportionately located in the homeland of a partic-
ular nation, leading other groups to feel they are being deprived of their fair share of economic
opportunity.
