The Cartographic State
Maps, Territory, and the Origins of Sovereignty
Published on 18. December 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
242 pages
978-1-107-49972-0 (ISBN)
Description
Why is today's world map filled with uniform states separated by linear boundaries? The answer to this question is central to our understanding of international politics, but the question is at the same time much more complex - and more revealing - than we might first think. This book examines the important but overlooked role played by cartography itself in the development of modern states. Drawing upon evidence from the history of cartography, peace treaties and political practices, the book reveals that early modern mapping dramatically altered key ideas and practices among both rulers and subjects, leading to the implementation of linear boundaries between states and centralized territorial rule within them. In his analysis of early modern innovations in the creation, distribution and use of maps, Branch explains how the relationship between mapping and the development of modern territories shapes our understanding of international politics today.
Reviews / Votes
'This is a fascinating book that retells history of modern cartography from an international relations perspective. As such, Branch skillfully brings together critical interpretations from two areas of scholarship to provide a compelling argument on how the developments of maps and political sovereignty are crucially linked. The primary thesis is that the depiction of bounded spaces on early modern maps preceded modern political practice premised upon bounded spaces. This has important theoretical ramifications for understanding how a uniquely modern form of relations between states was created ... This book has stimulated me to engage with its ideas; it presents a very distinctive and distinguished argument that I recommend others to likewise engage with.' Peter J. Taylor, The Cartographic JournalMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
12 Halftones, unspecified; 2 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
357 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-107-49972-0 (9781107499720)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2013
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
€24.99
Available for download
Book
11/2013
Cambridge University Press
€129.20
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Jordan Branch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Brown University. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley and in 2011-12 he was the Hayward R. Alker Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for International Studies at the University of Southern California. His articles have appeared in the European Journal of International Relations and in International Organization.
Content
1. Introduction; 2. Authority, sovereignty, and international change; 3. The cartographic revolution; 4. Mapping the territorial state; 5. New World mapping and colonial reflection; 6. Peace treaties and political transformation; 7. Mapping the territorialization of France; 8. The cartographic state today.