ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part shows that attitudes toward foreign countries among political decision makers may well affect foreign policy. Certainly General DeGaulle's conception of Europe as a geographical and political entity extending from the Atlantic to the Urals conflicts with the American notion of an "Atlantic Alliance."The part examines findings from animal societies for possible generalizations concerning the territorial behavior of man and focuses on specifically upon spatial perception. It illustrates the relevance of cognitive spatial structure to political decision making and explores the utility of spatial analysis of voting behavior. Since the spatial analysis of political behavior requires examination of its social and psychological roots, political geographers must devote attention to the behavioral process. The part seeks to provide spatial pattern of electoral results and then inquires as to its relevance in the operation of the urban political system.
