Today, more and more people are beginning to become interested not only in the ruble exchange rate, but also in the events that affect it. Going deeper into the topic, they are faced with the question: "What is geopolitics?" Is this theoretical or applied science? What is behind this concept, and most importantly, how does it affect the life of each individual person? Let's try to figure it out.
What is geopolitics?
This is a scientific discipline that arose in the middle of the century before last. So to say, she "budged" from economic geography.
She considers the interests of the state separately from universal values. It was introduced by Rudolf Chöllen, a Swedish political scientist. In his work “The State as an Organism, ” he made an attempt to analyze how the country's goals arise and are formed, depending on its geographical location. That is, he gathered together the thoughts of those scientists who tried to recognize and formulate the principles and laws that affect any power, regardless of its social, religious or other structure. If we talk about the term itself, that is, break it down into its component parts, then it is clear that it is a synthesis of two sciences - geography and politics. Their laws, to one degree or another, became part of the new discipline. For those who have not yet understood what geopolitics is: this is the science of the formation and development of the interests of states, which are predetermined by the distribution of territories on the world map.
The meaning depends on the context.
Not every member of the expert community can be understood based on the scientific definition of the term used by him. Many in their own way understand what geopolitics is. This is a system of knowledge and rules, some say.
No, rather, this is a scheme by which one can more deeply understand the patterns of development of political processes, others argue. All this is true. Just different “angles” of the same sufficiently voluminous “phenomenon”. One of the approaches to this discipline was very intelligibly disclosed in the book “Geopolitics, how it is done” by N. Starikov. In simple language, based on known facts, he demonstrates to the attentive reader the laws of this discipline in historical retrospective. For example, why, at a time when Europe was considered a prosperous territory, in its open spaces there were no serious disagreements between states, did the prerequisites for the outbreak of the First World War create? If we consider the question, as the analyst of geopolitics teaches, then it becomes possible to identify the hidden differences that lead to armed conflicts.
Range of Issues
At the beginning of its creation, this discipline specialized in questions of the political structure of the world, explaining its relationship with their geographical location, as well as historically established methods and mechanisms of control over peoples and territories. Now, science is studying global processes, the formation and development of superpowers. The most important question for today - the prospects for creating a multipolar world - is one of those that is now studying geopolitics. How is this done, what needs to be done, what principles to follow, scientists are trying to answer.
The world is quite complex, includes many factors, each of which affects its overall picture. Therefore, geopolitical analytics should be based on historical materials, economic theories, geographical data, and sociological research. To deal with this subject, you must have huge system knowledge in many industries.
Methodology
They say that history does not know the subjunctive moods. The same applies to geopolitics. It is impossible, as is commonly believed, to apply empirical methods in the study of this subject. Imagine what a careless experimenter can get if he starts an ill-conceived experience. After all, his actions relate to the fate of a huge number of people, if not all of humanity. The study of the subject is carried out by analysis. At the same time, it is divided into parts. A deep understanding of historical events, economic and social processes is necessary, then a synthesis of the results is required, taking into account the geographical position of countries and individual groups.
Basic laws
Discipline suggests considering the state as a living organism. It is created, developed, influencing the neighbors and the surrounding world. The country itself is considered on the basis of its position, territory, resources. In the theories of some thinkers, it was customary to contrast the countries of the sea and land. Those whose logistics are tied to ships were supposed to develop faster than those who need roads. These two civilizations are in constant confrontation, which often leads to aggression. For example, the geopolitics of the United States (sea) is aimed at the use of other people's resources, both natural and human. This superpower intervenes in the affairs of other countries, trying to get certain benefits, to “swallow” their peoples and territory. In contrast to the geopolitics of Russia (land) has always been aimed at creating partnerships. That is, goals were set for mutually beneficial development of territories.
Schools of Geopolitics
Due to the fact that all of humanity by this science is divided into two conditional honor, it is clear that each of them develops its own views. It is worth noting that they justify their opinion with the same doctrine. Nevertheless, there are two schools that are commonly called continental European and Anglo-American (sea and land, conditionally). Their differences are rooted in history. They can be defined in relation to the effectiveness of the use of force. Europe (conditionally) treats wars with disgust, as its history is replete with bloody conflicts. Conceptually, this school proposes to rely on the norms and rules that are developed jointly in relations between the state. Such is the geopolitics of Russia. She defends the principles of peaceful conflict resolution in the international arena. The Anglo-American school holds the opposite point of view. Here it is considered that one cannot rely on agreements that may be violated at any time. You can only base your policy on the strength of weapons.
Application
It is extremely difficult to overestimate the practical benefits of this subject. This is already becoming clear to ordinary people. The world is said to have become very “small” as a result of globalization. The life of many people sometimes depends on the actions of individual states. That is, the goals pursued by a superpower are achieved, ultimately, due to the well-being, and sometimes life, of a single person. The geopolitics of the world is becoming one of the most important topics of the media. People should know why certain things happen concerning them personally. And also understand how these or those forces use them for their own purposes. And for this it is necessary to navigate them. States use geopolitics to predict events, build their own lines of behavior.
Modern example
Everyone is hearing events in Ukraine today. The fact that this country has become a place of confrontation between the two geopolitical forces does not speak only lazy. Who, and why, began to influence events in this territory? Simplified can be represented in this way. The USA (sea) needs an expansion of influence. They aim to consolidate their influence in the European zone (land). Ukraine is located geographically very well, in the center of this territory. In addition, gas transit passes through its territory, linking the economies of Russia and the EU. Having gained control of this country with its “pipe”, it is possible to effectively influence partners associated with gas contracts. It is clear that the states that are losing their economic advantages are opposed. First of all, Russia. So two forces clashed, the goals of which are diametrically opposite.
