1. Political Theories

2. Geopolitics
The study of the spatial and territorial dimensions of power relationships within the political-territorial order

3. Geopolitics
Friedrich Ratzel ( ): 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

4. Geopolitics
Halford Mackinder ( ) 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Supranational Organizations

8. UN The United Nations (UN) 193 Member States Membership is voluntary
UN Peacekeeping Forces
Security Council (US, Britain, France, China, and Russia)
Purpose: Political

9. 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

10. 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

11. NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
Agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico
Trade bloc designed to promote economic prosperity
Purpose: Economic

12. 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

13. ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations 10 member states
Designed to promote economic growth and cooperation among member states
Purpose: Economic and Socio-Cultural

14. Forces of Change Democratization Movement toward Market Economies
Revival of Ethnic or Cultural Politics
Forces of Change

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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