Geopolitical Theories
Describe the following Geopolitical theories and how they reflect geopolitical strategies for
placing value on the land and the sea. Following a brief description of each, you are to select
one theory which you feel is most significant if you want to be a “World Power”. Be sure to
support your answer with spatial and historical examples as well as solid AP terminology.
(Organic - Heartland - Rimland - Domino)
which theory for world power
The heartland theory was created by Sir Halford MacKinder in 1904. This theory says
that the ruler of Eastern Europe and Western Asia has enough political and capital power to rule
the entire world. Nicholas Spykman created the rimland theory, which says that due to alliances,
the “heartland” is maintained and kept powerful, making it impossible for one country to control
it. This theory is where organizations like NATO and SEATO come from. The domino theory is
not thought to have one specific inventor, but Dwight Eisenhower was the first to use the word
domino in terms of geopolitical theories. It occurs when one country has a rebellion, and as a
result, the surrounding countries and areas follow in the “domino effect”. The final geopolitical
theory is the organic theory, which occurs when it is believed that the state is an organism
attached to the earth that competes with other states to thrive, and this was created by Ratzel.
I believe that the most effective geopolitical theory for taking over the world would have
to be the rimland theory. I believe this to be the most effective for world domination because it is
seen in the past and in the present that organizations like NATO and the United Nations have
been very productive in gathering the largest powers in the world, these being strong and
productive examples. The theory creates alliances between them all, therefore having one
“team” feel like they have dominance over the “heartland”, which is surrounded by the main
point of the theory, water. Due to the large idea of control over the waters in the rimland theory,
this shows how concerned Spykman is with the communication and trade throughout the world.
I believe this to be especially important when dealing with trying to be a world power. This
theory also creates a strong sense of unity between the countries involved because of the
dominance over land and sea.