Geopolitical Theories AP Human Geography

GEOPOLITICS The study of power relationships past, present, and future Branch of political geography that considers the strategic value of land and sea area in the context of national economic and military power and ambitions

Alfred Thayer Mahan: 1890 Sea power necessary to facilitate trade and peaceful commerce The country that possessed power would be one that could control the sea Development of a strong navy was essential ingredient to a powerful state as was the country’s location Most powerful country would have accessible and large coastline and good harbors

Friedrich Ratzel Organic Theory of States “lebensraum”

ORGANIC STATE THEORY: 1897 * Founded by Friedrich Ratzel The state is an organism conforming to natural laws and forced to grow & expand into new territories in order to secure resources needed for survival. State requires lebensraum Translates to “living space” Adolf Hitler used this theory to invade surrounding countries and build German nationalism Must devour other territories to achieve this goal

HEARTLAND THEORY Founded by Sir Halford Mackinder World power is based on the assumption that the land based state controlling the EURASIAN heartland has the key to world domination. Advent of railroads released countries from dependence on navy to move to army Warfare would move from the water to land Railroads would make heartland easy to defend and hard to conquer

Heartland Theory Contd. Summary: Believed the physical geographical quantities (land) are the most important aspect of state Criticized for oversimplifying the complexity of factors that shape global geopolitics

C.  Heartland/Rimland Theory -  1.  Heartland developed by Sir Halford Mackinder in the beginning of the 20th century a.  He who rules the heartland rules the world states the great geographical "pivot" point in the center of a landmass will always be the key factor in making a nation globally dominant –Proposed that Russia would conquer the world b. Did not take into account the failure of Soviet economic system, the importance of the oceans or potential for countries to unite against the Soviets

2.  Rimland Theory: Nicholas Spykman argued that the land around the heartland, was the most important for world political power.

DOMINO THEORY Cold War and Eastern Europe Destabilization from any cause in 1 country can result in the collapse of order in a neighboring country leading to a chain of events that affect adjoining states in turn. Korea (1950) Vietnam (1964) Afghanistan (1980)

Domino Theory Contd. President Eisenhower Speaks Out Against Communism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N1_JGG4XX8 Domino Theory – Presidents’ Perspective https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP9QDRDLw6c

Bush Doctrine Two main pillars are identified for the doctrine: 1. preemptive strikes against potential enemies, and 2. promoting democratic regime change.

Bush Doctrine preventive war, depose foreign regimes that represented a potential or perceived threat a policy of spreading democracy around the world, especially in the Middle East

D.  One of the most important trends in current global politics is the development of international alliances 1.  Supranationalism

2. supranational organization – political, economic, and/or cultural cooperation among national states to promote shared objectives with states often giving up some political power to a higher authority in pursuit of common objectives (political, economic, military, or environmental) a.  United Nations (UN) - a global supranational organization established at the end of World War II to foster international security and cooperation

c.  European Union (EU) - comprised of Western European countries to promote free trade among members – 1. Changes resulting from supranationalism in Europe a) Larger market (greater trade, free trade, reduced tariffs) b) Greater international influence (greater ability to compete with the economies of other countries c) Open borders (tourists and labor)

d) Common Currency – EU members have accepted the Euro as a common currency and a common economic focus – a common stable currency is the most important move to unify Europe e) Common policy (resources, agriculture, economic, environment, trade, military) and loss of control over individual policy

d.  Confederation - 1. the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a confederacy made up of independent states from the former Soviet Union who have united because of their common economic and administrative needs.

F. The Cold War and the East/West divide 1.  from 1945-1989 the Cold divided east from west based on types of governments and economic 2.  Domino theory 3.  Iron Curtain 4. Cuba and Japan exceptions

5. After Soviet Union, power of states transferred to individuals – ie 5.  After Soviet Union, power of states transferred to individuals – ie. Osama Bin Laden.

G.  North/South divide 1.  Division between the wealthy countries and the generally poorer countries 2.  The divide is mainly economic created by economic inequality created by a history of colonization and dominance.