V. Geopolitics

• Considers the strategic value of land and sea area in the context of national economic and military power and ambitions– power relationships: past, present, and future

• Manifest Destiny, Monroe Doctrine, “Greater East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere”

Geopolitics – German School

Ratzel’s Organic Theorya) Held that a nation which is an aggregate of

organisms would itself function and behave as an organism

b) Nourishment of organism provided by acquisition of territories and people

c) Territory is essential to life.d) Nazi expansion policies based on some of Ratzel’s

ideas.

Sir Halford Mackinder Heartland Theorya)Believed a land-based power, not a sea power,

would ultimately rule the worldb)Pivot area extended from Eastern Europe to

eastern Siberia

Geopolitics – British/American School

Mackinder – Heartland Theory

• The Heartland is impenetrable • Resource rich• Provided a base for world conquest

Mackinder – 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”

Geopolitics

Nicholas Spykman - Rimland Theory• Critic of Mackinder• Argued that the Eurasian rim, not its

heart, held the key to global power

Spykman-Rimland

• Fragmented zone • Divided rimland key to balance of world

power • Dense population, abundant resources,

controlling access to both the sea and the interior

• “Who controls the Rimland controls Eurasia”

• “Who rules Eurasia controls the destiny of the world”

Spykman-Rimland

Recent Geopolitical Developments Bipolar World

• Post WWII – Heartland = U.S.S.R

NATO

CENTO

SEATO

• U.S. practiced Containment• Confining the U.S.S.R by means of

alliances with Rimland • Military intervention• Domino Theory

Geopolitics Today

• Current world events have rendered older geopolitical ideas obsolete

• End of the Cold War, Nuclear Technology, and Japan, China, Western Europe becoming world powers

• Unilateralism – United States dominance Will this last???

U.S. Foreign Policy Strategies/Principles

1. Isolationism-state tends to domestic affairs only2. Realism-take active role in international affairs 3. Neo-isolationism-keep foreign involvement to a

minimum (only when necessary)4. Idealism-foreign involvement for good of all

countries