Geopolitics and Supranationalism Political Geography Geopolitics and Supranationalism

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

Classical Geopolitics German School eg. Ratzel’s organic state theory British / American School eg. Mackinder’s Heartland Theory

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”

Mackinder’s Heartland Theory

Domino Theory If one country in a region chose or was forced to accept a communist political and economic system, then neighboring countries would be irresistibly susceptible to falling to communism. Examples: Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia

Critical Geopolitics The idea that intellectuals of state craft and construct ideas about places, these ideas influence and reinforce their political behaviors and policy choices, and these ideas affect how what happens and how most people interpret what happens.

Geopolitical World Order Temporary periods of stability in how politics are conducted at the global scale. bi-polar – Cold War: US & UK v. USSR multi-polar Unilateralism –US in lead with allies following rather than joining in the decision making process. New World Order – Global cooperation to bring discipline to rogue states.

Geopolitical World Order The United States’ controversial invasion of Iraq significantly undermined its influence in many parts of the world. Southeastern Asia states that had long been oriented towards the US began to turn away. Anti- Americanism surged around the world. Emergence of China and India as increasingly significant powers; new multi-polar order? Will individual states remain the dominant actors in a future geopolitical world order?

Supranational Organizations A separate entity composed of three or more states that forge an association and form an administrative structure for mutual benefit in pursuit of shared goals. * How many supranational organizations exist in the world today? 100+

Global Scale – The United Nations

Regional Scale – The European Union

How does Supranationalism affect the State? identities economics

Establishing Boundaries Define – legal with lines of latitude & longitude Delimit – cartographers/maps Demarcate – fences & walls Administrate – maintaining boundaries & trade issues

Types of Boundaries Geometric boundaries – based on grid systems eg. Boundary between the US and Canada Physical-political boundaries – follow an agreed-upon feature in the physical geographic landscape. eg. Boundary between the US and Mexico

Boundary Disputes Locational – centers on delimitation and demarcation Operational – centers on the function of the border Allocational - centers over resources