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CU-Boulder GEOG 4712 - Introduction

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1Outline•Introduction• Geopolitical terms• Geopolitics definition• Alfred Mahan (1840 - 1914)• Halford Mackinder (1861 - 1947)Introduction• Geopolitics: the study of the geographical distribution of power among states across the world, and especially rivalry between major powers.• State-centric: the goal of geopolitics is to advance the interests of the state• A focus on geography: every place is understood in terms of its relationship to a state’s interests• Maximizing your own power involves weakening the power of others1) State-centric foreign policy prescriptions: the specific measures a state should take to achieve or maintain power. 2) World-view through which the goal and the methods are defined: the geopolitical code.Two elements of geopolitics2Geopolitical terms• Geopolitical code: The operating code of a government’s foreign policy that evaluates places beyond its borders.• Geopolitical world order: A more or less stable set of international power relations dominated by an agenda set by the major powers (e.g. the Cold War).• Geopolitical transition: Transition from one geopolitical world order to another. (e.g. from Cold War to post Cold War)• Geopolitical culture: The dominant geopolitical ideology of a society - can be multiple cultures within a country • Naval Historian• Head of US Naval Academy 1870’s and 1880’sGOAL: Replicate the success of Great Britain for the U.S.Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840 -1914)Mahan’s Six Geographic Characteristics of a World Power1. TERRITORY – Size matters (resources)2. POPULATION – bigger the better3. GEOPOLITICAL POSITION – island4. STRONG GOVERNMENT1. NATIONAL CHARACTER2. STRONG NAVY AND GOOD HARBORS3MAHAN’S 5 POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE U.S.1. BUILD A STRONG NAVY2. EXPAND INTO THE PACIFIC AND THE CARIBBEAN3. BUILD THE PANAMA CANAL4. CONTAINMENT OF RUSSIA5. FORM ALLIANCE WITH THE BRITISH EMPIRE• Founded Geography Dept at Oxford to address decline of B.E. and get people to think imperially; M.P.• Three innovations Sir Halford Mackinder1) Global or “god’s eye” view of world; “objective”2) Division of globe into seats of power with singular homogenous identity3) “Geographical causation of history” the world now a closed systemMackinder’s five central themes on political geography and world historyThe basis for political geography is physical geographyGeography lends itself to defense (especially with respect to sea vs. land)A focus on European history is central to understanding world historyThe evolution of history is based upon a struggle between land and sea powersThe world is an closed system – no more external areas: heightened resource competition4“Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland;Who rules the heartland commands the World-Island;Who rules the World-Island commands the World.”• Russia and C. Asia form the pivot of history (heartland): inaccessible by sea, armies can retreat into vast territory • Europe has suffered invasion by Mongols, Huns, Magyars: fear of this region uniting against U.K.• Transoceanic shipping in the 15thC. tipped balance toward sea power: Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, U.K.• Outer crescent the realm of sea powers, the inner crescent (rimland) the zone of conflict where the land powers try to break out and gain warm-water port• Railroads may shift power back: an economics-driven argumentMACKINDER’S FAMOUS DICTUM How to prevent any one state from controlling East Europe?• Split Germany – Russia• Politically fragment the region• After WWI the allies split up the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires into ethnic states: Germany was geographically separated from Russia, and a buffer zone was created between Russia and W. Europe• Wilson’s principle of self-determination for nations5MACKINDER’S POLICY PRESCRIPTION FOR BRITAIN IN 19431. PREVENT GERMANY FROM DEVELOPING NAVAL POWER2. PREVENT GERMANY AND RUSSIA FROM COMING TOGETHER3. MAINTAIN CONTROL OF INNER CRESCENT4. MIDLAND OCEAN ALLIANCE (after 1943)MACKINDER’S LEGACY• “MIDLAND OCEAN ALLIANCE” post-World War II. Geopolitical world order of U.S. and U.K. vs. Soviet Union.• Containment. Rimland site of cold war alliances —NATO, CENTO, SEATO.• Idea that a land-battle in Asia cannot be won. “DON’T INVADE ASIA” — Napoleon and Hitler both defeated in Russia, US in Korea and Vietnam. (still true today?)CRITIQUES OF MACKINDER’S GEOPOLITICAL VISION1. Doesn’t consider changes within societies residing in the geographical Heartland1. Overlooks Russian power – thought Germany was the Heartland power that would defeat Russia and control the World Island2. Doesn’t acknowledge Britain’s decline or the rise of the U.S. or Japan3. Doesn’t foresee or acknowledge the importance of air


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CU-Boulder GEOG 4712 - Introduction

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