Geopolitics and International Relations

Although we live in a globalised world, territorially embedded factors are highly relevant in such domains as security, economy, energy, environment, politics & diplomacy. Today’s analysts of world affairs are often loosely referring to ‘geopolitics’, but do not always clearly define it. This book therefore offers a necessary framework: an introduction into the main components of geopolitical analysis, an overview of the main geopolitical schools of thought, as well as reflections on how technology and geopolitics affect each other in economy, energy and security. In addition, several empirical studies are showcased, each developing innovative approaches. Leading authors reflect upon containment, analyse geopolitical myths, research geoeconomic rivalries, study mental maps, analyse conflict through territorially embedded variables & greed motivations and apply ‘neo-medievalism’ to study sub-state diplomacy.

Contributors include: David Criekemans, Gyula Csurgai, Luis da Vinha, Manuel Duran, Alexandre Lambert, Antonios Nestoras, and Steven Spittaels.

David Criekemans, Ph.D (1974), is Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Antwerp (Belgium). He also teaches at KU Leuven (Belgium), University College Roosevelt (Utrecht University) in Middelburg (the Netherlands), Geneva Institute of Geopolitical Studies (Switzerland) and Blanquerna, Ramon Lull University in Barcelona (Spain).