Political Geography

Key Issue 3: Why Do States Cooperate with Each Other?

Political and Military Cooperation

Supranational Organizations: a group of three or more countries that cooperates to promote shared political, economic, and/or cultural objectives Many states joined the U.N. during the Cold War. Why would they do this?

The United Nations

Created after WWII with 49 states 2007 192 states League of Nations 5 permanent members: China, France, Russia, the U.K, and the U.S.
They have veto power

Regional Military Alliances

Many states joined regional military alliances after WWII. This was because of the emergence of two superpowersThe United States and Soviet Union The opposing sides were relatively equal strength (balance of power)

Era of Two Superpowers

The superpowers gained allies to ensure their dominance Both states used the military to be sure that allies did not become too independent
The Soviets: Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Afghanistan The U.S.: Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Panama

Military Cooperation in Europe

NATO: military alliance among 16 democratic states Warsaw Pact: military agreement among Communist Eastern European countries After the dissolution of the Soviet Union: NATO expanded

Expansion of NATO

Warsaw Pact Countries

Other Regional Organizations

The Organization of American States (OAS): 35 states in the Western Hemisphere The African Union (AU): established in 2001 and encompasses 53 African countries
Emphasis is promoting economic integration in Africa

Economic Cooperation
Post Cold War: the most important elements of state power are ECONOMIC Japan and Germany have become superpowers Russia has slipped

European Union
Established in 1958 with 6 countries 1973 Denmark, Ireland, and the U.K. 1981 Greece 1986 Portugal and Spain 1995 Austria, Finland, Sweden 2004 Eight former communist counties

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON)

COMECON was created in 1949 by members of the Warsaw Pact for the purpose of trade and sharing of natural resources It disbanded in the early 1990s when communism fell

COMECON Members

Economic Actions
The main task of the EU is to promote development within the member states through economic cooperation Free trade The Euro Wealth!

Summary
So why do states cooperate with each other?