Confronting Theories of Geopolitics

This book elucidates two distinct traditions within geopolitical theory: the Anglo-American and the Continental schools. By examining these different frameworks, the volume underscores the necessity of recognizing the contrasting worldviews that underpin each tradition for anyone seeking to engage meaningfully with the concept of "geopolitics." Through this comparative lens, the book offers enriched insights into the historical dynamics of war and peace in regions such as Europe and Japan, as well as contemporary international conflicts. It demonstrates how the tension between these opposing geopolitical paradigms can serve as a valuable analytical tool for understanding global political developments.

Focuses upon theories of geopolitics Identifies two distinctive traditions of geopolitical theories: Anglo-American and Continental Applies two different confronting worldviews to history and contemporary affairs

Autorentext

Hideaki Shinoda is Professor at Institute of Global Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) and Visiting Senior Research Fellow, ROLES University of Tokyo. He obtained a Ph.D. in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). After working as a part-time teacher at LSE and Keele University, he took a research fellow position at the Institute for Peace Science of Hiroshima University, where he became Associate Professor. Then, he took the current position at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies in 2013. He has been a visiting scholar at the Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law, Cambridge University (2000) and at the Center for the Study of Human Rights, Columbia University (2002). He was Visiting Professional at the International Criminal Court (2017). He is the author of many books and articles including Partnership Peace Operations: UN and Regional Organizations in Multiple Layers of International Security (Routledge, 2024). He has received academic awards including Osaragi Jiro Rondan Award (2003), Suntory Academic Award (2012), Yomiuri Yoshino Sakuzo Award (2017).

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Introduction: The Geopolitical Perspective in a Rapidly Changing World.- Part 1. Defining Geopolitics.- Chapter 2. Anglo-American Versus Continental Traditions of Geopolitics.- Chapter 3. Theoretical Divides in Geopolitical Thought: Mackinder and Haushofer.- Chapter 4. The Development of Competing Geopolitical Theories: Spykman and Schmitt.- Part 2. The History of War from the Geopolitical Perspective.- Chapter 5. The History of War in Europe.- Chapter 6. The Cold War in the 20th Century From a Geopolitical Perspective.- Chapter 7. The PostCold War World and the RussoUkrainian Conflict.- Part 3. Japan's Wars from the Geopolitical Perspective.- Chapter 8. Prewar Japan from the Perspective of Anglo-American Tradition of Geopolitics.- Chapter 9. Wartime Japan from The Perspective of the Continental Tradition of Geopolitics.- Chapter 10. Geopolitics as Esotericism in Postwar Japan.- Part 4. Contemporary Global Conflicts and Geopolitical Analysis.- Chapter 11. The Global Structure of Armed Conflicts Today.- Chapter 12. Regional Patterns of Conflicts around the World.- Chapter 13. The Free and Open Indo-Pacific, the Belt and Road Initiative and BRICS.- Chapter 14. Conclusion: Geopolitics as a Perspective on Conflict Analysis.