Review Essay : The Uses and Abuses of Geopolitics

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Abstract
Three recent books illustrate the variety of contemporary interpretations of geopolitics G Parker presents the terminological tradition, originating among Europeans (Kjellén, Ratzel, Mackinder), as an expression of the late nineteenth century spirit, continuing in a German inter-war version (Haushofer) often accused of having inspired Nazi strategies, and with a modern American interpretation (Spykman, Kissinger) But there is also a more detached, French interpretation: the tradition of Yves Lacoste and the Hérodote-group, which in a recent collection edited and translated by P Girot and E Kofman is presented as a modern alternative to the great power view of geopolitics Finally, geopolitics may also be seen simply as a label for the study of the relationship between geography and politics The recent survey by P O'Sullivan presents methods and issues in this kind of political geography This review essay takes these three views of geopolitics as points of departure for some reflections on the geopolitical tradition and its present relevance.

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