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Questions and Answers
What is the central idea behind the concept of 'Lebensraum'?
What is the central idea behind the concept of 'Lebensraum'?
- The State as a living organism, tied to the land and justified for expansion (correct)
- The influence of sea power on global politics
- The importance of diplomacy in international relations
- The role of land arms in military conflicts
Who is credited with the phrase 'Whatever power rules the sea also rules the world'?
Who is credited with the phrase 'Whatever power rules the sea also rules the world'?
- Friedrich Ratzel
- Alfred Thayer Mahan (correct)
- Rudolf Plessner
- Halford Mackinder
What is the main focus of Mahan's theory of sea power?
What is the main focus of Mahan's theory of sea power?
- The importance of land arms in military conflicts
- The influence of the heartland in global politics
- The commercial and military advantages of a strong Navy (correct)
- The role of diplomacy in international relations
What is the central idea behind Mackinder's Heartland Theory?
What is the central idea behind Mackinder's Heartland Theory?
Which of the following is a key aspect of the concept of 'Lebensraum'?
Which of the following is a key aspect of the concept of 'Lebensraum'?
Who is credited with being the first to have an original perspective on geopolitics?
Who is credited with being the first to have an original perspective on geopolitics?
What was the basis of the British empire's power, according to Halford Mackinder?
What was the basis of the British empire's power, according to Halford Mackinder?
What is the concept referred to as the 'Pivot area' or 'heartland'?
What is the concept referred to as the 'Pivot area' or 'heartland'?
Who is the author of the quote 'Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island; who rules the World-Island commands the world'?
Who is the author of the quote 'Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island; who rules the World-Island commands the world'?
What was the name of the treaty that Haushofer was 'choked by'?
What was the name of the treaty that Haushofer was 'choked by'?
What is the name of the theory that suggests that a country's power is based on its ability to dominate the 'heartland'?
What is the name of the theory that suggests that a country's power is based on its ability to dominate the 'heartland'?
What is the term for the idea that a country's power is based on its ability to dominate the sea?
What is the term for the idea that a country's power is based on its ability to dominate the sea?
What is one of the main factors that Ratzel's Lebensraum theory is based on?
What is one of the main factors that Ratzel's Lebensraum theory is based on?
Who is credited with the concept of 'survival of the fittest' in geopolitics?
Who is credited with the concept of 'survival of the fittest' in geopolitics?
What is the primary focus of Mahan's geopolitical theory?
What is the primary focus of Mahan's geopolitical theory?
What is the name of the system that governed Europe after the Vienna Congress?
What is the name of the system that governed Europe after the Vienna Congress?
What is the term for the idea that a country needs to expand its territory to survive?
What is the term for the idea that a country needs to expand its territory to survive?
Who is credited with the Heartland Theory?
Who is credited with the Heartland Theory?
What is one of the key factors that determines a country's geopolitical power?
What is one of the key factors that determines a country's geopolitical power?
What is the term for the period of time when the world was dominated by two superpowers?
What is the term for the period of time when the world was dominated by two superpowers?
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Study Notes
German Unification and Industrial Development
- German unification occurred between 1864-71
- The concept of 'Lebensraum' (living space) was introduced, justifying German expansion
- The State was seen as a living organism tied to the land, with growth and decline
Mahan and Sea Power
- Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914) was a US Naval officer who studied the influence of sea power
- He believed that whoever rules the sea also rules the world
- Mahan emphasized the commercial and military advantages of a strong Navy
- His ideas influenced Britain, Germany, and Japan
Mackinder's Heartland
- Halford Mackinder (1861-1947) was a geographer who studied the power of the British Empire based on naval capacity
- He believed that the centrality of a location and efficient movement of ideas, goods, and people were key advantages
- The pivot area or heartland was crucial for world domination
- Mackinder's Heartland Theory is a defining moment for Geopolitics as a discipline
- His famous quote is: "Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island; who rules the World-Island commands the world"
Haushofer's Pan-Regions
- Karl Haushofer was a contemporary of Mackinder and a military general
- He was affected by the defeat of Germany and the Treaty of Versailles
- He believed that a pact between the Soviet Union and Germany would lead to German domination of Europe
- Haushofer's Pan-Regions theory emphasized the importance of regional power blocs
Factors of National Power
- Military force and willingness to use it
- Economic capacity and resources
- Political strength - leadership, external influence, and internal cohesion
- Population - a large population can be a strength or weakness
- Territory/geography - size, physiography, and sea access are important factors
World Order
- Borders have remained relatively stable in the last 20 years, with only 3 new countries emerging
- The world order has shifted from bipolar (Cold War) to unipolar (Post-Cold War) to multipolar (current)
- A multipolar world is characterized by multiple regional power blocs, including the USA, China, Russia, and the EU
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