Geopolitical Theories Ratzel’s Theory – Friedrich Ratzel States are similar to biological organism Birth, rise, decline, death

Heartland rules East Europe commands the Heartland Heartland Theory – Sir Halford J. Mackinder (1919) – Core area – In a nation-state, the area constituted by the national heartland—the largest population cluster, productive region, the area with the greatest centrality and accessibility, probably containing the capital city as well. – Eurasia (World Island) Center of Eurasia was a resource rich “pivot area” (Heartland) “Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland Who rules the Heartland commands the World Island Who rules the World Island commands the World”

Rimland Rimland Theory – Nicholas Spykmann – Opposite of Mackinder – The Heartland is semi-arid and powerless – Rimland (land encircling Heartland) has control

How does this apply? Doesn’t directly But has affected geopolitical thought – Nazi lebensraum Territory believed to be necessary for national existence or economic self-sufficiency – “Domino theory” in SE Asia – “Containment”

Changes to Countries DevolutionDemocratization Region within a state demand & gains more autonomy at the expense of the central government If devolution continues, can lead to balkanization – Break up of states – Example: Czechoslovakia, Sudan, Yugoslavia, etc. When a nation becomes more democratic Can also be a region – This is where supranational organizations come into play

Supranational Organizations Three or more states Can be: – Economic – Political – Cultural 20 th C. gave rise to many supranational organizations Today there are over 60 major supranational organizations

UN United Nations – The world’s preeminent supranational organization, a world governing body enforcing the upkeep of peace and basic human rights worldwide. – Started in 1945 – Currently includes193 states Came from League of Nations – Only 63 nations joined, excluding the U.S. Main purpose: Diplomacy Other UN Groups – World Health Organization (WHO) – Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Development Program (UNDP) – International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF)

UN

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization 1949 Regional Military alliance 16 states at its start – U.S., Canada, & Western Europe More added after the collapse of USSR – 28 currently

Warsaw Pact 1955 Regional Military Alliance In response to NATO – Maintain balance of power – Condition of roughly equal strength between opposing countries or alliances of countries. Eastern European communist nations – E. Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, USSR Disbanded – Several former Warsaw Pact countries have joined NATO

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations 1967 Regional Alliance Membership – 10 states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam – 1 Observer – Papua New Guinea

AU The African Union – Replaced the Organization of African Unity (OAU) – Organized primarily to end apartheid & colonialism Regional Economic Alliance 53 countries of Africa – Morocco only country not joined – Mali, Madagascar & Guinea-Bissau have been suspended

AU

OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries 1960 – Started by 5 countries Economic Alliance Currently 12 nations – Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Qatar, Libya, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Algeria, Nigeria, Ecuador, Angola – Had as many as 14 (Indonesia & Gabon)

OPEC

EC European Community Preceded by – Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) – European Coal & Steel Community (ECSC) – European Economic Community (EEC) Economic Alliance 1980s – 12 members Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark and Ireland – 12 Original members of the EU

EU European Union 1992 Economic & Political Alliance Currently 27 members Currency: Euro – 23 countries use the Euro (only 17 belong to EU) – EU members not part of Eurozone: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Sweden & UK – Non-EU member part of the Eurozone: Andorra, Kosovo, Montenegro, Monaco, San Marino, & Vatican City

EU

COMECON Council for Mutual Economic Assistance 1949 Economic Alliance 10 countries – USSR (E. Germany), Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania (All members of Warsaw Pact) – Also added: Cuba, Mongolia, & Vietnam Disbanded in 1990s

COMECON

NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement 1989 – Canada & U.S – Added Mexico Economic Alliance – Free trade (eliminating most tariff & non-tariff barriers) agreement between North American states

NAFTA

Other Supranational Organizations Organization on Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Organization of American States (OAS) The Commonwealth The Andean Community Caribbean Community & Common Market Commonwealth of Independent States