003 - Geopolitical Constraints

Geographic Knowledge and Understanding

Geopolitical constraints on global interactions:

• Government and militia controls on personal freedoms to participate in global interactions.

• National trade restrictions, including protectionism and resource nationalism.

Concepts

Groups - either formal (governments) or informal (militia) - have the power to control personal freedoms of a population and therefore their ability to  participate in global interactions.

Aims

Key Terminology

Define the key terms above by using the 'Useful Links' below:


Useful Links

Activity One - Watch - Geopolitical Controls

Before we start to investigate how specific governments and militia control the personal freedom of people we are going to watch an overview of which countries have the worst censorship.


Activity Two - Detailed Examples - Geopolitical Controls

We can't look at the geopolitical constraints that countries place on their citizens without looking at China and North Korea. China is also one of our focus countries so you will be able to use what you learn here in other areas of the curriculum. Unfortunately the Chinese are unable to access my site as it is blocked! Why could that be? But Mr. Allaway's www.geographyalltheway.com slips through their fire wall...



Useful Resources

China

North Korea

Activity Three - Research - Militia Controls

You have now found out how countries can control the flow of information that people have access to and we are now going to look at how the militia does it. Remember the key focus is the restriction of people to participate in global interactions and that could be freedom of movement, flow of ideas, transfer of goods and freedom of voice etc. For this activity we are going to focus on South Sudan. As we will be watching a series of YouTube clip I would suggest you you collect a piece of A4 paper and a set of coloured pens.


Useful Resources

Faces of the SPLA

Upper Nile's Commanders

Independence Amid Violence

White Army on the Frontlines

Activity Four - Comprehension - Trade Restrictions

You have mind mapped, watch YouTube clips, interrogated sources so far for this syllabus point so we are now going to go old school and get out the textbook. As you read through pages 76 to 78 make notes on the following points that can restrict trade between countries.


Useful Resource

'Geography. Global Interactions. Study and Revision Guide.' by Oakes Pages 76-78

Activity Five - Detailed Example - Resource Nationalism

Once you have the basic theory down it is time to relate this to a specific place. We are going to focus on Bolivia and investigate what they are doing to utilise their natural resource of gas. When creating a detailed example you need to include the following points.


Exam Style Question

Using examples, explain how geopolitical constraints can control the ability of a population to participate in global interactions. [12 marks]

This lesson was development in collaboration with Richard Allaway from geographyalltheway. For more resources please visit www.geographyalltheway.com