Political Theories
Geopolitics
• The study of the spatial and territorial
dimensions of power relationships within the
political-territorial order
Geopolitics
• Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904): developed the study of
geopolitics; compared the state to an organism with
a predictable rise and fall of power
• Without “nourishment” (expansion), the state will
die
• Forgotten theory, until adopted by Nazi Germany to
explain their expansion by force
Geopolitics
• Halford Mackinder (1861-1947) was concerned
with the power relationship around Britain’s
empire; believed Britain’s empire revolved
around the sea, but eventually a land-based
power would rule the world;
• Heartland Theory: the “pivot area” of the world
(Eurasia), hold the resources to dominate the
world; 1904
– Used by Russia after WW II
Heartland Theory
Whoever rules East Europe commands the
Heartland
Whoever rules the Heartland commands the
World Island
Whoever rules the World Island commands the
World
Geopolitics
• Rimland Theory: challenges the Heartland
Theory; says the Eurasian Rim holds the
power to dominate the world; rim includes
land that encircles the Heartland and
includes China, Korea, Japan, SE Asia,
India, the Arabian Peninsula, and Europe
– Developed by Nicholas Spykman
Supranational Organizations
UN
• The United Nations (UN)
– 193 Member States
– Membership is voluntary
– UN Peacekeeping Forces
– Security Council (US, Britain, France, China,
and Russia)
– Purpose: Political
NATO
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
– 28 Member Nations including the US, Canada,
and Turkey
– Developed as a political association
– The combined spending of NATO on defense is
70% of the world’s defense spending
– Purpose: Military
OPEC
• Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC)
– 13 Member Countries including Venezuela,
Ecuador, and Nigeria
– Powerful political force as well
– control the worldwide supply of oil
– Purpose: Economic
NAFTA
• North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA)
– Agreement between the United States, Canada,
and Mexico
– Trade bloc designed to promote economic
prosperity
– Purpose: Economic
EU
• European Union (EU)
– 28 Member States
– Three Pillars of the EU:
• Trade and other economic matters; including a single
currency and European Central Bank
• Justice and home affairs; asylum, border crossing,
immigration, and international justice
• Common foreign and security policy; joint positions
and actions, common defense policy
– Purpose: Economic and Political
ASEAN
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations
• 10 member states
• Designed to promote economic growth and
cooperation among member states
• Purpose: Economic and Socio-Cultural
Democratization
Movement toward Market Economies
Revival of Ethnic or Cultural Politics
FORCES OF CHANGE
Democratization
• The movement of a country’s government
towards a democracy
– First Wave: developed gradually over time
– Second Wave: occurred after the Allied victory in
WW II
– Third Wave: began in the 1970’s and is continuing
today; characterized by defeat of dictator or
totalitarian rule in South America, Eastern Europe,
and Africa; Samuel Huntington
Movement Towards Markets
• Many countries are moving from socialism towards
capitalism
– Command Economy: supply determined by the state
– Market Economy: demand determined by consumer
– Mixed Economy: Government has a say in what is
produced, but competition still exists
• Ex: Germany
– Privatization: the transfer of state-owned property to
private ownership
Revival of Ethnic of Cultural Politics
• Fragmentation: divisions based on ethnic
or cultural identities
• Nationalism: identities based on
nationhood
• Politicization of Religion: the domination
of religion in World Politics
– Samuel Huntington claims our next worldwide
conflict will be based on clashes of civilizations