The Political Organization of Space

Supranationalism Global organizations that extend state borders through the assistance and/or establishment of other organizations to further economic and/or political cooperation. Examples include: EU, EEC, UN, NAFTA,NATO

Boundaries, Control, and Disagreements Disagreements can lead to conflict Conflict meaning military engagement There have been several agreements forged to curb military deployment. Organizations include: – NATO – CENTO tion tion – SEATO /seatohttps://history.state.gov/milestones/ /seato

Generally, these organizations were established to stop the spread of communism and force states around the world to “pick a side” US v. Soviet Union

Warsaw Pact and Satellite States Was created in reaction to the Warsaw Pact which united countries under Soviet Communism. Countries that were apart of the Warsaw Pact were considered to be ‘satellite states’. This created a cultural boundary known as the “Iron Curtain”

Shatterbelt Region Conflict between the two super powers would often times include, or were centered around other states. These states were called ‘shatterbelt regions’

East Asia Korean War Vietnam War

Middle East Soviet occupation of Afghanistan

Central America Nicaragua Contra supported groups by US

Shatterbelt regions have a history of unrest and was ripe for communist and democratic control but it never really stuck. Geographically they tended to be isolated, mountainous regions with little governmental control.

Buffer State Neutral countries that lye between two conflicting states. Mongolia has been an example of conflicts between China and the Soviet Union

Theories of Control and Political Power The Heartland Theory The Rimland Theory The Domino Theory

Geopolitics Geopolitics – the interplay among geography, power, politics, and international relations.

Mackinder’s Heartland Theory: “Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland Who rules the Heartland commands the World Island Who rules the World Island commands the world”

The Heartland Theory Whoever owns Eastern Europe and Western Asia has the political power and capital to rule the world. Eastern Europe is extremely rich in agricultural resources. – i.e Ukraine could produce enough wheat to sustain a large population. – Coal production

The Heartland Theory Cont Fans: Hitler Fails: Hitler- he couldn’t complete with tough resolve and harsh climate. Technological advancements When asked about Russia in 2012 Mitt Romney said “This is without question our No. 1 geopolitical foe”

The Rimland Theory Nicholas Spykman, “Containment” The belief that forming alliances in necessary to keep the Heartland in check. The heartland is so powerful that no country alone contain it. NATO, SEATO,CENTO are evidence of this theory Also, the heartland may control the land, but the rimland controls the sea.

The Domino Theory When one country experiences rebellion or political disunity, other countries around it will also experience turmoil as a result leading to a domino effect of political instability in the region. Used as propaganda for involvement in Southeast Asia conflicts like Korea and Vietnam Critics say US is fine even when Mexico isnt.

Irredentism US foreign policy model An attempt by one country to provoke coups or separatist movements in another country. Example: Country A tries to spark a separatist movement from a nationality within country B. This can be done through radio, literature, radio programs, or television ads.

Examples of US irredentism US companies like Facebook are used to spark revolution in Arab countries by communicating the benefits of capitalism and democracy. Used a lot also during WWII and cold war against Germany and Soviet Union

Other Forces Centripetal and Centrifugal forces to influences states and their populations. Centrifugal forces- forces that break up a state. Centripetal forces-forces that tend to unite a state. To make an enemy out of the enemy and a hero of yourself

C.C Forces Religion Language Government Ethnicities Morphology External Threat

Religion Centrifugal:

Language Centripetal:

Government Centrifugal:

Ethnicities Centrifugal

Morphology Centrifugal

External Threat ???? Which one?