OPENING• What are some characteristics

that can strengthen or weaken a state?

Spatial Organization of Governments

How states organize their territories

Richard Hartshorne (1950s)

• Forces at work that affect success of state

• Centripetal forces– Unify a state

• Centrifugal forces– Break a state apart

Centripetal Forces

• Forces that strengthen state

• National institutions

• Common history

• Culture

• Strong central government

• Effective communications

• Homogeneity

Centrifugal Forces

• Forces that weaken state

• Regionalism

• Ethnic strife

• Territorial disputes

• Heterogeneity

Critical Thinking

• Identify and explain three centripetal and three centrifugal forces within the United States

Forms of Government

• Unitary– Centralized,

powerful capital– Monarchy/dictator– Strong state

Forms of Government

• Federal– Shared power– Strong v. weak

• Degree of regional power

Devolution

• Movement of power from central to regional governments

• Bringing the power closer to the people– Often based on ethno-cultural groups

• Can contribute to centrifugal forces