Territory

Territory Definition

Territory refers to a geographical area that is subject to the formal jurisdiction or control of a recognised political authority. In sociological terms, this concept is often used to distinguish between the sharply defined boundaries of contemporary political entities and the more fluid, contested frontiers that existed in earlier historical periods.

Giddens’ Distinction

Anthony Giddens (1985) employed the concept of territory to contrast two distinct forms of spatial control. Firstly, he considers the jurisdiction exercised by modern nation-states, which are characterised by strictly demarcated and highly administered borders. Secondly, he contrasts this with the frontiers of preindustrial empires, which were typically much more loosely defined, often contested, and ill-defined.

Significance

Giddens views this difference as an illustration of how modern governments possess a significantly greater capacity to exert control over both time and space compared to the boundaries established during earlier historical epochs.