Classical Geopolitics

This chapter points exclusively to the classical or traditional version of geopolitics. Common to most research, other versions exist as well, these being the “critical geopolitics” of a postmodern bent with emphasis upon deconstruction of elites’ alleged corruption and upon an emancipatory conclusion, and the power politics or “media geopolitics” set on Great Power actions and policies contributing to international instabilities. Both approaches give a negative impression against geopolitics. The classical version departs from both types in its possession of multiple theories and platforms available for a neutral study of foreign affairs, the focus of this chapter. The author much prefers, respects, and endorses the classical version, although he will accept the other two approaches for having utility as well. Accordingly, the pages that follow will describe what the author believes to be the essentials of the classical geopolitical model, this intended to depict it as a legitimate international relations theoretical construct.