In this chapter we learn how political geographers study the political organization of the world; i.e. the ways that people organize the space they live in on the global, regional and local levels. We will also look at the role that territory plays in politics. The following content is aimed at addressing the following questions:

1. What distinguishes the terms “nation” and “state” in the context of political geography? How do stateless nations and multinational states fit into the broader understanding of nations and states?
2. How has the modern political map developed over time?
3. How do supranational organizations compare in terms of their missions?
4. How do international boundaries shape geopolitical relationships, and what is their significance in the global context?
5. In what ways can the geographical shape of a state influence its potential and capabilities?
6. How do states collaborate within military and economic alliances to achieve their strategic objectives?
7. What are the underlying factors that can lead to the emergence of conflict?
8. How do international boundaries shape geopolitical relationships, and what is their significance in the global context?