1. Geopolitical Theories
AP Human Geography

2. GEOPOLITICS
* The power of the state to control space or territory and shape foreign policy of individual states and international relations.

3. ORGANIC STATE THEORY * 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.
The state has a life cycle (birth to death)
* Adolf Hitler used this theory to invade surrounding countries and build German nationalism.

4. Friedrich Ratzel
Organic Theory of States
“lebensraum”

6. 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.

7. 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. Cold War
Korea (1950)
Vietnam (1964)
Afghanistan (1980)

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

10. 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