Geopolitics Flashcards
give an initial definition of geopolitics
the role of space in international relations
what was geography like in the 19th cent
a practical pursuit rather than an intellectual enterprise
primary located in societies, which were exclusionary
based on exploration, cartography
imperialism
outline who Friedrich ratzel was
German geographers trained in natural science
interested in evolutionary biology,
influenced by Darwins work on evolution - he wanted a scientific explanation for geography
key Friedrich ratzel publication
and what did he argue for
politische Geographie
argued for lebensraum
outline lebensraum and cite
populations require a certain territory to thrive
each state is an organism that compete over territory, natural selection of stronger states subsuming weaker ones
(ratzel, 1897)
problems with ratzels theory
suggests conflict between states is inevitable. there is an anarchical desire to fight.
justifies empire
who coined the term geopolitics
Rudolf kjellen
