Writers, observers, and practitioners of international politics
frequently invoke the term "geopolitics" to describe, explain, or
analyze specific foreign policy issues and problems. Such
generalized usage ignores the fact that geopolitics as a method of
understanding international relations has a history that includes a
common vocabulary, well-established if sometimes conflicting
concepts, an extensive body of thought, and a recognized group of
theorists and scholars. In Geopolitics, Francis P. Sempa presents a
history of geopolitical thought and applies its classical analyses
to Cold War and post-Cold War international relations.
While mindful of the impact of such concepts as "globalization"
and the "information revolution" on our understanding of
contemporary events, Sempa emphasizes traditional geopolitical
theories in explaining the outcome of the Cold War. Using the work
of Halford Mackinder, James Burnham, Nicholas Spykman, Alfred
Thayer Mahan, and others, he shows that, even though the struggle
between the Western allies and the Soviet empire was unique in its
ideological component and nuclear standoff, the Cold War fits into
a recurring geopolitical pattern. It can be seen as a consequence
of competition between land powers and sea powers, and between a
potential Eurasian he-gemonic power and a coalition of states
opposed to that would-be hegemony.
The collapse of the Soviet empire ended the most recent threat
to global stability. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, no
power or alliance of powers poses an immediate threat to the global
balance of power. Indeed, the end of the Cold War generated hopes
for a "new world order" and predictions that economics would
replacegeopolitics as the driving force in international politics.
However, as Sempa points out, Russian instability, the nuclear
dimension of the India-Pakistan conflict, and Chinese bids for
dominance have turned the Asia-Pacific region into what Mahan
called "debatable and debated ground." Russia, Turkey, Iran, India,
Pakistan, China, Japan, the Koreas, and the United States all have
interests that collide in one or more of the areas of this
region.
The timeliness and deep historical perspective of Sempa's
analysis will remind statesmen, strategists, and interested
citizens that the current world situation will not last forever.
The defeat of one would-be hegemonic power is likely to be followed
by a new challenger or challengers to current stability in the
international system.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
