What are the Patterns of Border Conflicts? Crash Course Geography #37

Summary

In this episode of Crash Course Geography, Alizé Carrère explores the shifting and often complex nature of geopolitical borders. Using regions like Nakhchivan, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the South China Sea as examples, the script delves into how borders are shaped by historical conflicts, power struggles, and natural features. The episode highlights the role of artificial boundaries, exclaves, and the influence of major powers like Russia and Turkey. It emphasizes how these borders are constantly evolving and how geography plays a pivotal role in both international relations and local self-sufficiency.

Takeaways

• 😀 A map is just a snapshot of Earth at a particular time, and borders can change due to geopolitics, historical events, and conflicts.
• 😀 Borders are rarely straight lines, and many follow natural or cultural features, but some are artificially drawn, ignoring these factors.
• 😀 Exclaves, like Nakhchivan, are regions separated from their main country by other countries, often leading to complex political and economic challenges.
• 😀 Geopolitical relationships and power dynamics influence borders, with the precision of modern borders growing from the 1800s onward.
• 😀 The shape of a country can affect internal unity, with compact states like France having centralized power and fragmented or elongated states like Indonesia facing more logistical challenges.
• 😀 Nakhchivan's status as an exclave of Azerbaijan results from historical decisions by the Soviet Union, as well as conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• 😀 Borders drawn by the Soviet Union, like those around Nakhchivan and Nagorno-Karabakh, are often considered 'superimposed' because they disregarded ethnic and cultural divisions.
• 😀 Fragmentation and power confusion at borders can lead to self-sufficiency in regions like Nakhchivan, where conflict with neighboring Armenia has isolated it from the rest of Azerbaijan.
• 😀 Geopolitical conflicts, like those between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, often involve larger powers like Russia and Turkey, influencing the outcomes through proxy wars.
• 😀 International maritime boundaries, such as those in the South China Sea, can become contested areas due to the value of resources and strategic trade routes, often leading to conflicts between multiple nations.

Q & A

Why do borders on maps often seem permanent, and how do they change over time?

Borders on maps may appear permanent, but they are actually a snapshot of the Earth at a particular moment in time. Borders shift and change due to various factors, including political decisions, conflicts, and geographical events. Over time, these borders can evolve, leading to new shapes and divisions of land.

What are the differences between natural and artificial borders?

Natural borders are defined by physical features such as mountains, rivers, or lakes, which historically served as loose borders. Artificial borders, on the other hand, are man-made and do not necessarily follow natural features. These boundaries are drawn according to political or administrative decisions and can often ignore cultural or geographical realities.

What are the challenges of fragmented states, and can you give an example?

Fragmented states are those whose territory is not physically connected, which can lead to challenges in governance, communication, and resource distribution. An example is Nakhchivan, an exclave of Azerbaijan, which is geographically separated from the main part of Azerbaijan by Armenia. This fragmentation has created unique political and economic challenges for the region.

What is the significance of the exclave of Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan?

Nakhchivan is a significant exclave of Azerbaijan due to its geographical separation from the rest of the country by Armenia. Despite its isolation, Nakhchivan has developed a degree of self-sufficiency due to ongoing conflict and the closure of border crossings, leading to sustainable agricultural and economic practices.

How do superimposed and subsequent borders impact ethnic groups?

Superimposed borders are imposed by external powers without regard to existing ethnic or cultural boundaries, often leading to conflict. Subsequent borders are drawn after settlements are established, often based on political or historical events. Both types of borders can result in ethnic tensions, as in the case of Armenia and Azerbaijan, where borders were drawn by the Soviet Union without considering the ethnic makeup of the regions.

What role did the Soviet Union play in the creation of borders in the Caucasus region?

The Soviet Union played a key role in shaping the modern borders of many countries in the Caucasus, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. By imposing superimposed and subsequent borders, the Soviet Union created political divisions that ignored ethnic and cultural ties, contributing to ongoing conflicts in regions like Nagorno-Karabakh and Nakhchivan.

What is balkanization, and how does it relate to modern border conflicts?

Balkanization refers to the fragmentation of a state into smaller, often ethnically homogenous, regions. This process can result in the creation of new boundaries along ethnic lines. It is relevant to modern conflicts, as seen in the case of Armenia and Azerbaijan, where ethnic and national identities continue to shape territorial disputes and border conflicts.

How does geopolitical involvement from external powers like Russia and Turkey affect conflicts in the Caucasus?

Geopolitical powers like Russia and Turkey often influence conflicts in the Caucasus region to further their own strategic interests. For example, Turkey supported Azerbaijan in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, strengthening its relationship with Azerbaijan and securing access to regional resources. Russia, historically aligned with Armenia, has played a more cautious role, focusing on peace talks while maintaining influence in the region.

What is irredentism, and how is it reflected in the South China Sea conflict?

Irredentism refers to a political claim by a country to reclaim territory it believes historically belongs to it or has people of its ethnic group. In the South China Sea, China’s claim to vast areas of the sea is an example of irredentism, as it seeks to assert territorial control over regions that it believes are part of its historic domain, despite competing claims from other nations.

Why are maritime borders in places like the South China Sea a source of geopolitical tension?

Maritime borders are a source of tension because they involve valuable resources such as oil, gas, and fishing grounds, as well as important trade routes. The South China Sea, for example, is rich in resources and sees a significant amount of global shipping traffic. Countries like China, the Philippines, and the US have conflicting territorial claims, creating tensions over control and access to these vital areas.