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

Forces of Change 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