1. Geopolitical Theories
Objective: Understand the concept of geopolitics. Analyze the similarities and differences between the theories of Ratzel, Mackinder and Spykman.

2. What is Geopolitics?
Geography + power + politics + international relations
Helps us understand the arrangements and forces that are transforming the map of the world
Classical geopolitics
German School – sought to explain why certain states are powerful and how to become powerful
British/America School – sought to offer strategic advice for states and explain why countries interact at the global scale the way they do
Most geopoliticians today fall into the British/American school of thought and offer geostrategic perspectives on the world

3. Organic State Theory (Ratzel)
Main Idea: States must grow, they can only thrive when they attain more territory
Details:
Explains why certain states are powerful and how states can become powerful
State resembles a living organism and goes through the life cycle
To thrive, state needs nourishment through lebensraum (living space)
If state is confined, it will die
Borders are temporary
Colonialism/imperialism drive this theory

4. Organic State Theory Continued
Criticisms
Based on speculation
Ultimately led to Nazi expansionism, Hitler embraced geopolitics to justify the right for lebensraum because of racial superiority

5. Heartland Theory (Mackinder)
Main Idea: Whichever state controls the Heartland could eventually dominate the world
Details:
Determination of most strategic places on Earth
Land-based power, not sea-based will ultimately rule the world
Heartland = eastern Europe – eastern Siberia
World Island = Europe, Asia, Africa – contains 50% of the world’s resources
“Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland, who rules the Heartland commands the World Island, who rules the World Island commands the world

6. Details continued
Emergence of Soviet Union and control over Eastern Europe gave theory more attention
Mackinder issued advice before he died:
Keep Soviets in check by creating alliance around North Atlantic
Shortly after, US began containment (policy to stop spread of communism) and NATO formed
Domino Theory – if one country falls to communism, many more will

7. Rimland Theory (Spykman)
Main Idea: The Eurasian Rimland (Western Europe, North Africa, Asia), not the Heartland would be key to global power
Details:
Response to Heartland Theory
Rimland is important in containing the Heartland
“Who controls the Rimland rules Eurasia, who rules Eurasia controls the destinies of the world
Known as the godfather of containment