Geopolitics

Defining Geopolitics

Geopolitics is a term used to describe how nations exert their influence over surrounding nations. It refers to one nation's sphere of influence over its neighbours. A key to understanding Geopolitics is that political attitudes and actions in the past are the most important factors in determining the current world condition. These attitudes develop in large part in response to the nation's geographic situation in the world. Many mechanisms can be used by a nation to exert its influence over another country. They include military force, trade, aid, media, religion, economic sanctions, among others.

In this unit we will study 2 examples of how countries have exerted their influence over other countries. The case studies will be Cambodia and the Former Yugoslavia. We could also examine other areas in the world which are equally good in illustrating these concepts but time permits only these two case studies. At the end of the unit, I will have you and another student pair up to research some of the other areas in the world where one or more countries are exerting their influence over another nation. Please read the assignment ahead of time so you fully understand what is expected.

Please also read from the text pages 360-366 and 372-383.