Geopolitics Overview

A set of flashcards covering key concepts of geopolitics, its significance, historical context, and theories.

What is geopolitics?

Geopolitics is a set of theories and practices explaining how space, territory, and power are related, and how states and other actors project power across space.

Why is geopolitics important in the modern world?

It shapes global responses to conflict, climate change, and power struggles, such as Arctic protection, the Russia–Ukraine war, and Israel–Gaza ceasefires.

How is geopolitics linked to the state and territoriality?

States seek to control/excert power over territory to secure resources, borders, influence, and security, making territorial power central to geopolitics.

How does the Dictionary of Human Geography define geopolitics?

It describes geopolitics as a contested term used in media to describe violence over territory, but academically as a complex field with evolving definitions.

What are the three forms of geopolitics?

1. Formal geopolitics – circulation of theories by state intellectuals

2. Practical geopolitics – language/geographical vocabulary used by political leaders = help citizens make sense of the world

3. Popular geopolitics – media, films, news, internet representations.

What defines classical geopolitics? - traditional view

All about geographical factors influencing power and control

State-centric, focused on rivalry (military, economic, cultural) and physical geography of a state being most important with a realist worldview that assumes conflict is inevitable.

supported by Alfred Mahan - sea power view

What defines critical geopolitics (alternative view/modern)?

Focus on the way that geographical knowledge is produced

About people and discourse, emphasizes cooperation and change, questions power structures, and has an idealist worldview- how ‘the world should be’

Challenges state-centric perspectives

e.g., Simon Dalby

What is the main difference between classical and critical geopolitics?

Classical geopolitics focuses on state power and geographical factors, while critical geopolitics questions the creators of political ideas and their interests.

What are the three main periods of geopolitical thought?

1. Classical geopolitics (1800s–1945)

2. Cold War geopolitics (1945–late 1980s)

3. Contemporary geopolitics (late 1980s–present), including critical approaches.

What historical conditions shaped classical geopolitics?

• British imperial dominance

• rising German power

• US economic strength but isolationism

• breakdown of the Concert of Europe

• growing nationalism.

What role did determinism play in classical geopolitics?

Physical geography was seen as determining political success, often linked to social Darwinism and racial hierarchies that justified imperialism.

Why is Alfred T. Mahan important to geopolitics?

He argued that sea power determined global dominance, outlining six factors including geography, population, and government, influencing naval strategy (e.g. Pearl Harbor).

1. Geographical positions

2. Physical conformation

3. Extent of territory

4. Number of population

5. National character ‘

6. Character of government