Assignment on POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

Assignment-1
Topic: Geopolitical Approaches in political geography and
Geopolitical thoughts and concepts.
Course Code:GEO-4103

Submitted By
Name: Arafat Hossain
ID: B170602018
Session: 2017-18
Dept. of Geography & Environment
Jagannath University
Dhaka

Submitted To
Name: Dr. Hasina Akter
Associate Professor
Dept. of Geography & Environment
Jagannath University
Dhaka

Submission Date: 10th Feb, 2023

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Environmental GEOPOLITICS
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Economic

GEOPOLITICS

Geopolitical concepts as a set of ideas and frameworks used to analyze and understand the
relationships between countries and their impact on the world. These concepts help to explain how
political, economic, social, and environmental factors interact and shape global affairs. Some of the
most prominent geopolitical concepts include realism, liberalism, Marxism, constructivism,
feminism, neoliberalism, and environmentalism.
Each of these approaches focuses on different aspects of international relations, such as power
dynamics, cooperation, class struggle, ideas and norms, gender, economic growth, and
environmental sustainability. The study of geopolitical concepts is an important field within
political geography and helps to understand the complex dynamics of the global political
landscape.
Geopolitical approaches and concepts are a major part of the field of political geography.
Political geography is the study of how geography affects and is affected by political systems,
power relations, and policies. Geopolitical approaches are used to analyze and understand the
relationship between geography and politics.
Some of the most important concepts in geopolitics include:
State sovereignty: the idea that a state has control over its territory and is free to make its own
decisions, without interference from other states.
Nationalism: the belief that a specific nation or cultural group has the right to self-determination,
often leading to the desire for independence or a separate state.
Balance of power: the distribution of power and influence among states, which can determine the
stability of the international system.
Realism: the belief that states are the primary actors in international relations and that their
behavior is motivated by self-interest and the pursuit of power.
Geopolitical rivalry: competition between states over control of territory or influence in a
particular region.
Geostrategy: the use of geography and power to achieve specific foreign policy goals.
Heartland theory: the idea that the state with control over the heartland, or central region of the
world, will dominate the international system.
These concepts are often used to analyze the behavior of states and understand the relationships
between states and regions in the international system.

Geopolitical Approaches
Realism: Realism is a political geography approach that emphasizes the importance of power,
national interests, and security. This approach views international relations as a struggle for power
and resources, and sees the state as the central actor in this struggle.

Liberalism: Liberalism is a political geography approach that emphasizes cooperation and

interdependence between nations. This approach views international relations as based on common
interests and mutual benefit, and advocates for free trade, open borders, and international
organizations to promote cooperation.

Marxism: Marxism is a political geography approach that emphasizes the role of class struggle
and economic relations in shaping political and geographic space. This approach views
international relations as a struggle between capitalist and socialist countries, and sees imperialism
as a means of maintaining power and control over resources.
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Constructivism: Constructivism is a political geography approach that emphasizes the role of
ideas, norms, and institutions in shaping international relations. This approach views international
relations as a product of shared beliefs, values, and norms, and sees cooperation as based on shared
understandings.

Feminism: Feminism is a political geography approach that emphasizes the role of gender and
feminist perspectives in shaping political and geographic space. This approach views international
relations as gendered, and sees women as marginalized in the political and economic structures of
the world.

Geopolitical Thoughts

Geopolitical Realism: This approach emphasizes the role of power and security in shaping
international relations and views the world as a competitive arena in which states pursue their
national interests.

Geopolitical Liberalism: This approach emphasizes cooperation and interdependence in shaping

international relations and views the world as a network of relationships between states and non-
state actors.

Geopolitical Marxism: This approach emphasizes the role of economic relations and class struggle
in shaping international relations and views the world as a struggle between capitalist and socialist
forces.

Geopolitical Constructivism: This approach emphasizes the role of ideas and norms in shaping
international relations and views the world as shaped by shared beliefs and values.

Geopolitical Feminism: This approach emphasizes the role of gender in shaping international
relations and views the world as a gendered arena in which women are marginalized and
disadvantaged.

Geopolitical Neoliberalism: This approach emphasizes the role of free markets and economic
growth in shaping international relations and views the world as a system of global trade and
investment.

Geopolitical Environmentalism: This approach emphasizes the role of environmental concerns in

shaping international relations and views the world as a system that is interconnected and
interdependent, with a shared responsibility for the environment.
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