Lessons 20 · 1 lessons · Sh. M. Sharipov, V. N. Fedorko, N. I. Safarova, V. A. Rafiqov. Geography (Applied geography), Grade 10, 1st edition. “O‘zbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi” State Scientific Publishing House, Tashkent, 2017
20
The world's geopolitical system and its formation
Textbook: pp. 82–84
GoalDescribe the essence of geopolitics, its approaches and the periods in which the world's geopolitical system took shape.
New words
geopolitics · geosiyosatgeopolitical field · geosiyosiy maydonbalance of power · kuchlar nisbatibipolar world · bipolyar dunyo
Explanation
Geopolitics is the science that studies how geographic factors (location, borders, resources, population) influence states' policy and questions of control over space. The term was introduced by the Swedish scholar Rudolf Kjellén, and the German geographer Friedrich Ratzel is counted among the founders of the field. Three approaches are distinguished: civilisational (history is shaped by cultural-religious communities – civilisations), military-strategic (a state's power depends on its maritime or continental position) and geographic determinism (the natural environment, especially climate, influences society). These views are debated and should be assessed critically: a state's policy is not decided by geography alone. According to the textbook's scheme the world geopolitical system passed through several periods: Westphalia (1648), Vienna (1814–1815), Versailles (1919), the bipolar world after the Second World War (from 1945) and the period after the Soviet Union ended in 1991. In today's world there are several major centres and regional powers, so the world is often described as multipolar.
Worked examples
A state with a long coastline and many ports has a favourable position in sea trade (the focus of the military-strategic approach). A state without sea access depends on neighbours for transport; Uzbekistan, as a doubly landlocked country, must cross at least two countries to reach the sea.
From Westphalia (1648) to Vienna (1814) 1814 − 1648 = 166 years passed. Between Versailles (1919) and 1945 there are 1945 − 1919 = 26 years. This shows how quickly the arrangement of states can change.
Class activity
“Geopolitical maps”: groups compare three maps (1648, 1919, today), find in which regions borders changed most and write 3 conclusions.
Practice
1
State the object and main idea of geopolitics in a sentence or two.
Its object is the influence of geographic factors on states' policy and control of space; the main idea is that location, borders and resources influence the balance of power.
2
How many years are there between the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and the start of the Congress of Vienna (take 1814)? (Number only.)
166
3
Name the three approaches and explain each in one sentence.
Civilisational – history is shaped by cultural-religious communities; military-strategic – power depends on maritime or land position; geographic determinism – the natural environment influences society.
4
Why should geographic determinism be assessed critically?
Because states in the same natural conditions have developed differently; economy, history, culture and decisions shape policy too, not geography alone.