What is geopolitics? What is science? Geopolitics of Russia. Geopolitics of the USA

Today, more and more people are beginning to be interested not only in the ruble exchange rate, but also in those events that affect it. Deepening into the topic, they are faced with the question: "What is geopolitics?" Is it theoretical or applied science? What is behind this concept, and most importantly, how does it affect the life of each individual person? Let's try to figure it out.

What is geopolitics?

This is a scientific discipline that arose in the middle of the century before last. So to speak, it "budged" it from economic geography.

It considers the interests of the state separately from universal human values. It was introduced by Rudolf Challain, a Swedish political scientist. In his work "The State as an Organism," he attempted to analyze how the country's goals arise and are formed, depending on its geographical location. That is, he gathered together the thoughts of those scientists who tried to understand and formulate the principles and patterns that affect any power, regardless of the social, religious or other structure of it. If we talk about the term itself, that is, to break it into its component parts, it is clear that it is a synthesis of two sciences - geography and politics. Their laws to some extent included in the new discipline. Those who have not yet understood what geopolitics is: it is the science of the formation and development of the interests of states that are predetermined by the distribution of territories on the world map.

The meaning depends on the context

Far from any member of the expert community can understand, based on the scientific definition of the term used by him. Many in their own way understand what geopolitics is. This is a system of knowledge and rules, one says.

No, rather, this is a scheme through which you can better understand the patterns of development of political processes, others assert. All this is true. Just different "foreshortenings" of the same large enough "phenomenon." One of the approaches to this discipline was very intelligently disclosed in the book "Geopolitics, how it is done" by N. Starikov. In a simple language, relying on known facts, he demonstrates to the attentive reader the patterns of this discipline in a historical retrospective. For example, why, at a time when Europe was considered a prosperous territory, there were no serious disagreements between states on its expanses, the prerequisites for the outbreak of the First World War were created? If we consider the issue, as the analyst of geopolitics teaches, then it becomes possible to reveal the hidden disagreements that lead to armed conflicts.

The range of issues under consideration

At the beginning of its creation, this discipline specialized in questions of the political structure of the world, explaining its relationship with their geographical location, as well as historically established methods and mechanisms of control over peoples and territories. Now science is studying global processes, the formation and development of superpowers. The most important issue for today is the prospects for creating a multipolar world, one of those that geopolitics is now studying. How it is done, that it is necessary to undertake what principles to follow, scientists try to answer.

The world is complex enough, includes many factors, each of which affects its overall picture. Therefore, the analyst of geopolitics should be based on historical materials, economic theories, geographical data, sociological research. To deal with this subject, you need to have a huge system knowledge in many industries.

Methodology

They say that history does not know the subjunctive moods. The same applies to geopolitics. It is impossible, as is commonly believed, to apply empirical methods in the study of this subject. Imagine what an imprudent experimenter can get if he starts an ill-considered experience. After all, his actions concern the fate of a huge number of people, if not all of humanity. The subject is studied through analysis. In doing so, it is broken into parts. It requires a deep understanding of historical events, economic and social processes, then a synthesis of the results is required, taking into account the geographical location of countries and individual groups.

Basic laws

Discipline offers to view the state as a living organism. It is created, developed, influencing the neighbors and the surrounding world. The country itself is considered based on its position, territory, resources. In the theories of some thinkers, it was customary to oppose the countries of the sea and land. Those whose logistics are tied up on ships are supposed to develop faster than those who need roads. These two civilizations are in constant confrontation, which often leads to aggression. For example, US geopolitics (the sea) is aimed at using foreign resources, both natural and human. This superpower interferes in the affairs of other countries, trying to get certain benefits, "swallow" their peoples and territory. In contrast to Russia's geopolitics (land), it has always been aimed at creating partnerships. That is, the goals were set for mutually beneficial development of the territories.

Schools of geopolitics

In connection with the fact that all of humanity is divided by this science into two conditional honor, it is clear that each of them develops their own views. It should be noted that they justify their opinion with the same doctrine. Nevertheless, two schools are singled out, which are usually called Continental European and Anglo-American (sea and land, conditionally). Differences between them are rooted in history. They can be determined in relation to the effectiveness of the use of force. Europe (conditionally) to wars is disgusted, as its history is full of bloody conflicts. Conceptually, this school proposes to rely on the norms and rules that are developed jointly in the state's relations. Such is the geopolitics of Russia. It advocates in the international arena the principles of peaceful conflict resolution. The Anglo-American school adheres to the opposite point of view. It is believed that one can not rely on agreements that can be broken at any time. You can base your policy only on the strength of weapons.

Application

It is extremely difficult to overestimate the practical benefits of this subject. This is easy for people to understand. The world, as they say, has become very "small" as a result of globalization. Sometimes the life of many people depends on the actions of individual states. That is, the goals pursued by a superpower are achieved, ultimately, at the expense of well-being, and sometimes life, of a single person. Geopolitics of the world is becoming one of the most important media topics. People should be aware of why these or other things happen that concern them personally. And also to understand how these or other forces use them for their own purposes. And for this it is necessary to orient yourself in them. States also use geopolitics to predict events, build their own line of conduct.

Modern example

Everyone has heard about events in Ukraine today. The fact that this country has become a place of confrontation between the two geopolitical forces is not said only by the lazy one. Who and why began to influence the events in this territory? Simplified, you can imagine this way. The US (sea) needs an expansion of influence. They pursue the goal of strengthening their influence in the European zone (land). Ukraine is located geographically very successfully, in the center of this territory. In addition, gas transit passes through its territory, linking the economies of Russia and the EU. Having gained control over this country with its "pipe", it is possible to effectively influence partners connected by gas contracts. It is clear that "against" are the states that lose their economic advantages. First of all, Russia. Here and shlestnulis two forces, whose goals are diametrically opposed.

Features of national geopolitics

The world has reached the level when the question of its device becomes more and more relevant. The leadership of the Russian Federation draws the attention of the countries to this problem. This was said by the President of Russia at the Valdai Forum. His speech concerned not only criticism of the modern world order, but also proposals for a fundamentally new formation of relations between states. Russian geopolitics is created on historically formed confidence of equality of all countries. In the world, everyone has their own interests, which must be respected and understood by everyone else. On any issue, it is possible and should negotiate without the use of threats or weapons. The multipolar world has just begun to outline its forms and centers. It is important that he can do without unnecessary unreasonable victims.