Geopolitics Q2 PDF

Geopolitics Q2 Babette Léonard Geopolitics General introduction and introduction to Geopolitics Geopolitical analysis A breve history, today very popular. First, why is Geopolitics, very difficult to define in...

Geopolitics Q2 Babette Léonard Geopolitics General introduction and introduction to Geopolitics Geopolitical analysis A breve history, today very popular. First, why is Geopolitics, very difficult to define in one sentence. But like Cohen said, “Scholarly analysis of the geographical factors underlying international relations and guiding political interactions.” We can prevent event, but we can understand why it’s happened and observe the consequences. We are studying the potential consequences and the set of conditions that enable certain situations and their consequences (e.g.: end of Cold War and the origins and consequences of the Arab Spring). Geopolitics as a discipline “[Geopolitics] as a discipline has had to overcome some controversial roots. Introduced a century ago as a deterministic field of study and a recipe for statecraft, it was first offered as a set of geographically determined laws governing a state’s strategic destinies and evolved as the geographical underpinnings of realpolitik. Presented as a science, its scholarly legitimacy was challenged on the grounds that it lacked empirically based principles in its development of doctrines that served the singular needs of states. In addition, the focus on realpolitik was criticized for the absence of a moral and ethical basis.” Cohen, 2014 Back in those days, theorist said if you do that you have that. This is what you need to do, if you want this to happened. When law is used it’s in a scientific way. Power as Central Concept What makes a country powerful? Military force and willingness to use it: but maybe not a smart one or technological Economic capacity and resources: EU a very powerful power whit its economy, during the cold war URSS and USA were able to produce a lot of tanks Political strength – Leadership o External influence -> Soft power o Internal cohesion Population: Germany invaded the Soviet Union, but it had a big population so if you killed one million there is another million. But it can also be a weakness, in case of attack, Seoul is very close from North Correa. Territory/geography: a large territory is almost untouched like Russia, Canada, USA. If we think to Switzerland, it’s hard to invaded it because there are surrounded by mountains. In general, we consider those factors: size, physiography (mountains, desert), sea, population, density. World order Borders doesn’t change anymore, in the last 20 years, only 3 countries are born. Bipolar world: Cold War Unipolar world: Post Cold War period 1  Geopolitics Q2 Babette Léonard - Multipolar world: Concert of Europe (Vienna system); Today: USA, China, Russia, EU. - Regional power Early-stage Geopolitics Ratzel, Mackinder, Mahan, Haushofer, Kjellen, Spykman Products of their time/environment. Imperial Hegemony Intense nationalism Social Darwinism: ‘survival of the fittest’ → not only the strongest will survive. Ratzel’s Lebensraum Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904) German expansion and Germany’s place in the world, one way to extend is to invade a smallest country. And Germany as a country was develop to late, France, UK existed before. So, all the colonial resources were already shared (even Belgium got colonies). So, it’s a just cause to extend. o German Unification (1864-71) and industrial development o The delayed nation (Die verspätete Nation, Plessner) Introduction of the concept of ‘Lebensraum’ o The State as a living organism, tied to the land o growth and decline o Justification of German will for expansion Mahan and sea Power Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914) US Naval officer, studied the influence of sea power Whatever power rules the sea also rules the world Commercial and military advantages of strong Navy Underestimation of land arms and diplomacy Before the rise of submarines Influence on Britain, Germany, Japan You invest money but you get it back so easy. Great Britain was also one of the strongest countries. Mackinder’s Heartland He is the first to have an original perspective. So, his theorist is determining for the future. He wants to know how Great Britain can stay strong. He believed that you could build from the heartland to the sea construct a big root. Even if it is just a theory, it will influence others who will have a direct impact. Halford Mackinder (1861-1947), geographer (biology/history) Power of British empire based on naval capacity o Railroad as threat to GB o Dominance of rail over sea power 2  Geopolitics Q2 Babette Léonard Advantage of centrality and efficient movement of ideas, goods and people Pivot area, or heartland o World domination o Threat of Germany, Russia, China or alliance (WW I & II) Heartland Theory as defining moment for Geopolitics as a discipline “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 He is a contemporary of Mackinder. He was a military general and was really affected by the defeat of the German and choked by the treaty of Versailles. Soviet Union and Germany make a pact to not attack each other. He believed that this was going to happen (the map), and if anyone was able to dominate Europe it would be German. Karl Haushofer (1869-1946), general Reaction to defeat of WWI and loss of territory World divided into pan-regions, lebensraum and autarky To master the World–Island by neutralizing USSR and destroy British sea power Influence on German-Soviet pact Direct influence on Hitler through Rudolph Heß Personal downfall Geopolitics today Very popular and sometimes you think everything is geopolitics. Trump push Europe to think to organise our security ourselves. Global perspectives: o Impact of Trump presidency on European defense strategies o Russia’s active foreign policy Regional perspectives: o Syria & Yemen o North Korea, Iran Thematic perspectives: o Geopolitics of energy o Geopolitics of climate change 3