A territorial dispute is a disagreement over the possession/control of land between two or more states A sovereign state is a political association with effective sovereignty over a geographic area and representing a population. A state usually includes the set of institutions that claim the authority to make the rules that govern the people of the society in that territory, though its status as a state often depends in part on being recognized by, or over the possession or control of land by one state after it has conquered it from a former state no longer currently recognized by the occupying power.
A map showing the disputed territory The Kashmir conflict refers to the territorial dispute over Kashmir, the northwesternmost region of the Indian subcontinent. The parties to the dispute are India, Pakistan, China and the people of Kashmir of Kashmir Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" referred only to the valley lying between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range.[citation needed]; since then, it has been used for a larger area that today includes the Indian administered state of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Context and definitions
These disputes are often related to the possession of natural resources Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity existent in various ecosystems such as rivers A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing toward an ocean, a lake, a sea or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including stream, creek, brook, rivulet, and rill; there is no, fertile farmland, mineral A mineral is a naturally occurring solid formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition, a highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. A rock, by comparison, is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids, and need not have a specific chemical composition. Minerals range in composition or oil Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid found in rock formations in the Earth consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights, plus other organic compounds resources, although the disputes can also be driven by culture Culture is a term that has different meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions. However, the word "culture" is most commonly used in three basic senses:, religion A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendent quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, God or gods, or ultimate truth. It may be expressed through and ethnic nationalism Ethnic nationalism is a form of nationalism wherein the "nation" is defined in terms of ethnicity. Whatever specific ethnicity is involved, ethnic nationalism always includes some element of descent from previous generations. Furthermore, the central theme of ethnic nationalists is that "...nations are defined by a shared heritage,. In many cases territorial disputes result from vague and unclear language in a treaty that set up the original boundary.
Territorial disputes are a major cause of wars A civil war is a dispute between parties within the same nation. War is not considered to be the same as occupation, murder, or genocide because of the reciprocal nature of the violent struggle, and the organized nature of the units involved and terrorism Terrorism is the intentional use or threat to use violence against civilians and non-combatants "in order to achieve political goals". This tactic of political violence is intended to intimidate or cause terror for the purpose of "exerting pressure on decision making by state bodies." The term "terror" is largely used, as states often try to assert their real, or imagined, sovereignty Sovereignty is the right to exercise, within a specific territory of a kingdom or a nation-state, the highest authority by the law. It is an important part of the three main political perspectives of realism, rationalism, and internationalism, as these three theories differ most in their views on sovereignty. Sovereignty has existed throughout over a territory through invasion, and non-state entities try to influence the actions of politicians through terrorism. International law does not support the use of force by one state to annex the territory of another state. The UN Charter says: "All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."
In some cases such as the Aksai Chin Aksai Chin, also Aksayqin, Akesaiqin or Akesai Qin , is a disputed region located in the northwestern region of the Tibetan Plateau north of the western Kunlun Mountains. It is entirely occupied and administered by China as a part of Kargilik County in the Kashgar Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region; it is, however, claimed by India as a part, the Taiwan straits The Taiwan Strait or Formosa Strait is a 180-km-wide strait between mainland China and Taiwan. The strait is part of the South China Sea and connects to East China Sea to the northeast. The narrowest part is 131 km (81.4 mi.) wide, and Kashmir Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" referred only to the valley lying between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range.[citation needed]; since then, it has been used for a larger area that today includes the Indian administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, both sides will define a line of control Specifically, the term Line of Control refers to the military control line between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir - a line which, still to this day, does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary but is the de-facto border. Originally known as the "Cease-fire Line& that serves as a de-facto international border. Although these lines are often clearly demarcated, they do not have the legitimacy of an agreed international boundary.
- The term border dispute applies only to the many cases where a limit territory bordering more than one state (including an enclave These are two distinct concepts, although many entities fit both definitions. In Fig. 1 at right, C is an exclave of B, and is also an enclave within A. If C were independent it would be an enclave but not an exclave. In Fig. 2 at right, D is again an exclave of B, but is not an enclave, because it has boundaries with more than one country in one state, e.g. Nagorno Karabakh Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, lying between Lower Karabakh and Zangezur and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains. The region is mostly mountainous and afforested and has an area of 8,223 square kilometres) is claimed by two or more, not the very existence of a whole state challenged (e.g. the Republic of China The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan since the 1970s, is a state in East Asia that has evolved from a single-party state with full global recognition and jurisdiction over China into a multi-party democratic state with a semi-presidential system and universal suffrage but limited international recognition and jurisdiction only over, which the People's Republic of China b. ^ Information for mainland China only. The Special Administrative Regions of the PRC: Hong Kong, Macau are excluded. In addition, the territories under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, are also excluded regards as a defunct and illegitimate entity, with its current jurisdiction of Taiwan Taiwan , also known as Formosa (福爾摩沙; from Portuguese (Ilha) Formosa, meaning "beautiful (island)"), is an island group located in East Asia between the South China Sea and the East China Sea off the southeastern coast of mainland China. It is well-known as the major area under the effective jurisdiction of the Republic of China ( claimed by the PRC as its 23rd province).
- The term occupied territories Occupied territories is a term of art in international law. In accordance with Article 42 of the Laws and Customs of War on Land ; October 18, 1907, Territory is considered occupied when it is actually placed under the authority of the hostile army. The occupation extends only to the territory where such authority has been established and can be (see that article) in general refers to regions distinct from the recognized territory of a sovereign state but which it controls, especially with military forces. Even though a long-term occupation is generally maintained as a means to act upon a territorial claim, this is not a prerequisite, as occupation may also be strategic (such as creating a buffer zone In geography, a buffer zone is any zonal area that serves the purpose of keeping two or more other areas distant from one another, for whatever reason. Common types of buffer zones are demilitarized zones and certain restrictive easement zones and greenbelts. Such zones may be, but not necessarily be, comprised by a sovereign state, forming a or a preventive move to prevent a rival power obtaining control) or a means of coercion (as a punishment, to impose some internal measures or for use as a bargaining chip).
- Since the latter part of the 20th century, the term "occupied territories" has, in some contexts, come to refer specifically to the West Bank The West Bank (Hebrew: הגדה המערבית, HaGadah HaMa'aravit) is a landlocked territory and is the eastern part of the Palestinian territories; on the west bank of the River Jordan in the Middle East. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel, which maintains the security of this area. To the and Gaza Strip The Gaza Strip is a coastal strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Egypt on the south-west and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about 41 kilometers (25 mi) long, and between 6 and 12 kilometers (4–7.5 mi) wide, with a total area of 360 square kilometers (139 sq mi). The area is recognized internationally as part of the, whose status is hotly disputed. It is also used for the case of the occupied North of the Republic of Cyprus.
- The term irredentism Irredentism is any position advocating annexation of territories administered by another state on the grounds of common ethnicity or prior historical possession, actual or alleged. Some of these movements are also called pan-nationalist movements. It is a feature of identity politics and cultural and political geography. Because most borders have (see that article) applies to those border disputes and other territorial claims that one party justifies on the basis of former cultural or ethnic attachment.
Current territorial disputes
See List of territorial disputes This is a list of extant territorial disputes around the world. Bold indicates one claimant's full control; italics, one or more claimants' partial control and List of active autonomist and secessionist movements Entries on this list meet two criteria: they are active movements with living, active members, and they are seeking greater autonomy or self-determination for a geographic region . What is and is not considered an autonomy or secession movement is, of course, contentious.
See also
- Fait accompli There are many words of French origin in English, such as art, collage, competition, force, machine, police, publicity, role, routine, table, and many others which have been and are being anglicized. They are now pronounced according to English rules of orthography, rather than French . Approximately 40% of English vocabulary is of French or Oïl
- Status quo ante bellum The term was originally used in treaties to refer to the withdrawal of enemy troops and the restoration of prewar leadership. When used as such, it means that no side gains or loses territory or economic and political rights. This contrasts with uti possidetis, where each side retains whatever territory and other property it holds at the end of
- Ethnic cleansing Ethnic cleansing is a euphemism referring to the persecution through imprisonment, expulsion, or killing of members of an ethnic minority by a local majority to achieve ethnic homogeneity in majority-controlled territory. The term entered English and international media usage in the early 1990s to describe war events in the former Yugoslavia
- Lebensraum Lebensraum (German for "habitat" or literally "living space") served as a major motivation for Nazi Germany's territorial aggression. In his book Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler detailed his belief that the German people needed Lebensraum – for a Großdeutschland, land, and raw materials – and that it should be taken in the East
- Irredentism Irredentism is any position advocating annexation of territories administered by another state on the grounds of common ethnicity or prior historical possession, actual or alleged. Some of these movements are also called pan-nationalist movements. It is a feature of identity politics and cultural and political geography. Because most borders have
- Rio Grande border disputes
- Thalweg Thalweg (pronounced /ˈtɑːlvɛɡ/; an English word compounded from the German elements Thal meaning valley, and Weg, meaning way) is a term adopted into English usage for geography and geomorphology. It signifies the deepest continuous line along a valley or watercourse re waterways
Sources and references
- WorldStatesman - click on any state for the listing (after the chronological lists of statesmen) of Territorial Disputes it is party to
- Territorial disputes in CIA World Factbook
- Talking Borders Queen's University Belfast online audio archive
External references
- All Along the Watch Tower (Peter Middlebrook Dr. Peter J. Middlebrook is an English political economist/Political Scientist specialising in emerging markets and the development of Transition economies. He is best known for his work as an economic advisor to governments in Africa, Central and South Asia, as well as OECD countries. He specialises in the political economy of public and private)
Categories: Disputed territories
