IV. International Political Geography
A. Organic Theory 1. proposed by Friedrich Ratzel in the late 19th
cent.
2. the view that states
resemble biological
organisms with life
cycles that include stages
of youth, maturity, and
old age
B. Geopolitics
1. developed by Swedish
political scientist Rudolf
Kjellen
2. nations must expand their
land base to maintain power
and standard of living
3. Don’t expand - disappear
4. Theory discarded by geographers after Adolf Hitler
used it to justify his military aggression during World
War II.
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.
D. One of the most important trends in current global
politics is the development of international alliances
1. International organization
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. 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.