4.3 Political Power and Territoriality

Introduction

Political power and territoriality are closely related concepts in the study of geopolitics. Political power refers to the ability of a group or individual to influence or control the decisions, actions, and resources of others. Territoriality, on the other hand, refers to the control or ownership of a defined area of land or water.

In many cases, political power is closely tied to territoriality, as the control of territory often confers economic, military, and symbolic advantages. Governments and other political actors often seek to expand their territory in order to increase their power and influence. At the same time, the control of territory can be used as a means of exercising political power, as the ability to regulate and control the use of a particular piece of land or water can give a group or individual a great deal of influence over those who depend on it.

Political power and territoriality can also be closely related in the sense that the control of territory can be used as a way of asserting or defending political power. Governments and other political actors may seek to defend their territory in order to protect their power and autonomy, and they may use their control of territory as a means of projecting their power and influence beyond their borders.

Overall, the relationship between political power and territoriality is complex and multifaceted, and it plays a central role in the study of geopolitics.

Territories and Geopolitics

Geopolitics is the study of the influence of geographical factors on the political, economic, and military affairs of nations and regions. It involves the analysis of the relationships between political power and geographical space, and the ways in which geography can shape and influence the exercise of power. Geopolitics is often used to understand the foreign policies of countries and the strategies that they use to pursue their goals on the international stage. It can also involve the study of the spatial organization of power and the distribution of resources across the globe.

Territoriality is the concept of territory, which refers to a defined area of land or water that is claimed by a group or individual as their own and is protected from external interference. Territoriality is a way for animals, including humans, to mark their territory and defend it from intruders. In human societies, territoriality is often tied to ideas of ownership, sovereignty, and jurisdiction, and it is often used as a means of establishing and maintaining power and control. Territoriality can be expressed through physical means, such as fences, walls, and other types of barriers, or through more symbolic means, such as flags, symbols, and other forms of national identification.

But, why do some states grow while others stay weak? There are some theories that aim to explain this. 

Organic Theory

The Organic Theory (Ratzel) says that states need living space to survive, which leads to the annexation of lands from weaker states. Ratzel was a biologist and heavily influenced by Darwin and the theory of natural selection. In political geography, this meant every state needed living room, or lebensraum, to survive. The strongest states would expand while the weakest states would be absorbed and that was the natural flow. Hitler himself used this theory to justify annexing Austria and Czechoslovakia.

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Who Was Ratzel? 

Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904) was a German geographer and ethnographer who is best known for his contributions to the development of the discipline of geography and for his theory of Lebensraum, also known as the Organic Theory.

Ratzel was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, and studied natural sciences, history, and philosophy at the University of Munich. He later worked as a teacher and researcher, and he became one of the leading figures in the field of geography in Germany during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Ratzel is known for his work on the concept of Lebensraum, which he developed in his book "Political Geography" (1897). According to Ratzel, a nation's territory is like an organism that must grow and expand in order to survive and thrive, and he argued that nations must continuously seek to expand their territory in order to secure the resources and living space they need to prosper.

Ratzel's theory was influential in shaping the foreign policies of various countries and was used to justify imperialism and territorial expansion by European powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has also been heavily criticized for its naturalistic and deterministic approach, which fails to account for the complex and fluid nature of international relations. Despite its criticisms, Ratzel's work remains an important part of the study of geopolitics and has had a lasting impact on the field of geography.

Organic Theory Summary

The Organic Theory, also known as the Theory of Lebensraum, was developed by the German geographer Friedrich Ratzel in the late 19th century. It was an influential theory that sought to explain the relationship between a nation's population, territory, and power. Here are some bullet points that summarize key elements of the Organic Theory:

• The Organic Theory asserts that a nation's power and prosperity are determined by the size and quality of its territory.
• According to Ratzel, a nation's territory is like an organism that must grow and expand in order to survive and thrive.
• The theory emphasizes the importance of "Lebensraum," or "living space," which refers to the amount of territory a nation needs to support its population and ensure its long-term survival.
• Ratzel argued that nations must continuously seek to expand their territory in order to secure the resources and living space they need to prosper.
• The Organic Theory was used to justify imperialism and territorial expansion by European powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• The theory has been heavily criticized for its naturalistic and deterministic approach, which fails to account for the complex and fluid nature of international relations.

Heartland Theory

The Heartland Theory (Mackinder) states that land-based power led to domination. Whoever controlled the “heartland” (Russia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe), would dominate the world. He reasoned that this land created the perfect conditions for power. By the 1800s, transportation across the land was greatly improved and could provide quick transportation of troops. Also there were vast natural resources available such as coal and because it was landlocked it was protected from naval attacks. And finally, the vastness of the land meant huge populations of people that could operate a roaring economy.

Who Was Mackinder?

Halford Mackinder (1861-1947) was a British geographer and political scientist who is best known for his contributions to the development of the discipline of geopolitics and for his theory of the "Heartland," which proposes that the control of the interior of the Eurasian landmass is the key to global dominance.

Mackinder was born in Gainsborough, England, and studied natural sciences at Oxford University. He later worked as a teacher, researcher, and politician, and he became one of the leading figures in the field of geography in the UK during the early 20th century.

Mackinder is known for his work on the concept of the "Heartland," which he developed in his paper "The Geographical Pivot of History" (1904). According to Mackinder, the "heartland," which includes areas such as Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, is the pivot point of world politics because it is the largest contiguous landmass on earth and contains the majority of the world's population and resources. Mackinder argued that the dominant power in the heartland would be able to project its influence over the rest of the world, including the surrounding "world islands" (Africa, Australia, and the Americas) and the "outer crescent" (the coastal regions of Europe and Asia).

Mackinder's theory has been influential in shaping the foreign policies of various countries and has been used to justify territorial expansion and military intervention in the heartland region. It has also been criticized for its deterministic and Eurocentric approach, which fails to account for the complexity and diversity of world politics. Despite its criticisms, Mackinder's work remains an important part of the study of geopolitics and has had a lasting impact on the field of geography.

Heartland Theory Summary

The Heartland Theory is a geopolitical theory developed by British geographer Halford Mackinder in the early 20th century. It proposes that the "heartland," a region located in the interior of the Eurasian landmass, is the most important area in the world because it is the center of the world's land power. Here are some bullet points that summarize key elements of the Heartland Theory:

• The Heartland Theory suggests that the control of the heartland is crucial to the exercise of global power and influence.
• Mackinder argued that the heartland, which includes areas such as Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, is the pivot point of world politics because it is the largest contiguous landmass on earth and contains the majority of the world's population and resources.
• According to the theory, the heartland is the key to global dominance because it is the most defensible and self-sufficient region in the world.
• The Heartland Theory suggests that the dominant power in the heartland will be able to project its influence over the rest of the world, including the surrounding "world islands" (Africa, Australia, and the Americas) and the "outer crescent" (the coastal regions of Europe and Asia).
• The theory has been influential in shaping the foreign policies of various countries and has been used to justify territorial expansion and military intervention in the heartland region.
• The Heartland Theory has been criticized for its deterministic and Eurocentric approach, which fails to account for the complexity and diversity of world politics.

Rimland Theory

In direct contrast, the Rimland Theory (Spykman) claims that whoever controlled the seas and maritime areas (coastal regions across Europe and Asia) would rule the world. Spykman valued the seas more than Mackinder did and theorized that control of the coasts was more powerful than the “heartland” could ever be.

Who Was Spykman?

Nicholas Spykman (1893-1943) was an American diplomat and strategic thinker who is best known for his contributions to the development of the discipline of geopolitics and for his theory of the "Rimland," which proposes that the control of the coastal regions surrounding the "heartland" (the interior of the Eurasian landmass) is the key to global dominance.

Spykman was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and immigrated to the United States as a child. He studied political science and economics at Yale University and later worked as a professor and researcher. Spykman is considered one of the founders of the discipline of geopolitics and is known for his work on the concept of the "Rimland," which he developed in his book "The Geography of the Peace" (1944).

According to Spykman, the "rimland," which includes the coastal regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa, is the key to global dominance because it is the most economically and politically advanced region in the world. Spykman argued that the dominant power in the rimland would be able to project its influence over the rest of the world, including the "heartland" (the interior of the Eurasian landmass) and the "outer crescent" (the Americas and Australia).

Spykman's theory has been influential in shaping the foreign policies of various countries and has been used to justify naval expansion and military intervention in the rimland region. It has also been criticized for its deterministic and Eurocentric approach, which fails to account for the complexity and diversity of world politics. Despite its criticisms, Spykman's work remains an important part of the study of geopolitics and has had a lasting impact on the field of geography.

Rimland Theory Summary

The Rimland Theory is a geopolitical theory developed by American diplomat and strategist Nicholas Spykman in the mid-20th century. It proposes that the "rimland," the coastal regions surrounding the "heartland" (the interior of the Eurasian landmass), is the most important area in the world because it is the center of the world's sea power. Here are some bullet points that summarize key elements of the Rimland Theory:

• The Rimland Theory suggests that the control of the rimland is crucial to the exercise of global power and influence.
• Spykman argued that the rimland, which includes the coastal regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa, is the key to global dominance because it is the most economically and politically advanced region in the world.
• According to the theory, the rimland is the pivot point of world politics because it is the hub of international trade and communication, and it is where the major sea routes converge.
• The Rimland Theory suggests that the dominant power in the rimland will be able to project its influence over the rest of the world, including the "heartland" (the interior of the Eurasian landmass) and the "outer crescent" (the Americas and Australia).
• The theory has been influential in shaping the foreign policies of various countries and has been used to justify naval expansion and military intervention in the rimland region.
• The Rimland Theory has been criticized for its deterministic and Eurocentric approach, which fails to account for the complexity and diversity of world politics.

Territoriality is more complicated than just maps. It’s easy to draw lines on a map and mark territory, but these lines are oftentimes not as well defined in real life. For example, the people may not agree with the boundaries or other states may not recognize them.