Overview
Geopolitics is the study of how geography dictates destiny. Mountains, rivers, and oil fields determine which countries are powerful and which are invaded.
Core Idea
The core idea is location. You can change your ideology, but you can’t move your country.
- Sea Power: Nations with navies (UK, USA) dominate trade.
- Land Power: Nations with vast interiors (Russia, China) dominate resources.
Formal Definition
The analysis of the geographic influences on power relationships in international relations.
Intuition
- Russia: Has no warm-water ports and flat borders (easy to invade). This makes them paranoid and aggressive.
- USA: Protected by two oceans and has a massive river network (Mississippi) for trade. It plays on “Easy Mode.”
- Middle East: Has oil. Therefore, everyone cares about it.
Examples
- The Heartland Theory (Mackinder): “Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island; who rules the World-Island commands the world.”
- Choke Points: Narrow straits (Suez Canal, Strait of Hormuz) where global trade can be blocked.
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Technology makes geography irrelevant.
- Correction: Missiles fly far, but armies still need to cross mountains. The internet relies on undersea cables that follow geographic routes.
Related Concepts
- International Relations: Geopolitics is a realist subfield.
- Imperialism: Often driven by geopolitical needs (bases, resources).
- Resource Curse: Having too many resources can be bad for democracy.
Applications
- Military Strategy: Where to put bases.
- Energy Policy: Pipelines are geopolitical weapons.
Criticism and Limitations
- Determinism: It can ignore human agency and culture. Geography is not always destiny.
Further Reading
- Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
- The Revenge of Geography by Robert D. Kaplan