Journal of Geographical Sciences ›› 2016, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (12): 1769-1784.doi: 10.1007/s11442-016-1357-1
• Orginal Article • Previous Articles Next Articles
Received:
2015-10-03
Accepted:
2015-11-03
Online:
2016-12-20
Published:
2016-12-20
About author:
Author: Hu Zhiding (1986-), PhD and Associate Professor, specialized in globalization and geo-setting research. E-mail:
Supported by:
Zhiding HU, Dadao LU. Re-interpretation of the classical geopolitical theories in a critical geopolitical perspective[J].Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2016, 26(12): 1769-1784.
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Table 1
Major national and regional GDP share of world GDP, 1700-2009"
Year | 1700 | 1820 | 1870 | 1913 | 1950 | 1973 | 1998 | 2009 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 5.7 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 5.3 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 3.0 |
Germany | 3.6 | 3.8 | 6.5 | 8.8 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
Italy | 3.6 | 3.8 | 6.5 | 8.8 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
The United Kingdom | 2.9 | 5.2 | 9.1 | 8.3 | 6.5 | 4.2 | 3.3 | 3.1 |
The Former Soviet Union | 4.4 | 5.4 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 3.4 | - |
The United States | 0.1 | 1.8 | 8.9 | 19.1 | 27.3 | 22.0 | 21.9 | 20.4 |
Japan | 4.1 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 6.0 |
China | 22.3 | 32.9 | 17.2 | 8.9 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 11.5 | 12.6 |
India | 24.4 | 16.0 | 12.2 | 7.6 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
Table 2
The UK and the world’s marine shipping capacity, 1570-1913"
Time | Sailing boat | Steamship | Total shipping capacities | Sailing boat | Steamship | Total shipping capacities |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK | World | |||||
1780 | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 3950 | 0 | 3950 |
1820 | 2436 | 3 | 2448 | 5800 | 20 | 5880 |
1850 | 3397 | 168 | 4069 | 11400 | 800 | 14600 |
1900 | 2096 | 7208 | 30928 | 6500 | 22400 | 96100 |
1913 | 843 | 11273 | 45935 | 4200 | 41700 | 171000 |
Table 3
Summary of classical geopolitical theory based on a critical perspective"
Land power theory | Sea power theory | National organism theory | Edge district theory | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Time of proposal | 1904 | 1898 | 1896 | 1944 |
Author / country | Mackinder / UK | Mahan / US | Ratzel / Germany | Speakman / US |
Background of author Discipline background | Geographer Political scientist | Naval historian Navy strategist | Geographer Having received specialized training in biology | Geopolitical strategist International relation scholar |
Viewpoint / concept | Political geography is based on the natural geography. | Might is right. | The social organic system is similar to the biological organism, subject to the laws of nature. | Geographical determinism |
Scientificity | The sea power is subject to the land forces. | The improvement of naval strength will contribute to the improvement of national strength and the protection of overseas trade security. | Along with the economic development and population growth, the country needs more land to maintain the economic and population growth. | A great naval power needs to fight against land powers with the help of land bridgehead countries. |
Hypothesis | On account of its expansion to the edge zone of Eurasia, the pivotal country can create a fleet by taking advantage of the huge continental resources, so that then the world is in sight. | In the final analysis, since it has secured the absolute command of sea and has built the most powerful navy, the state will become stronger and more prosperous. | There are seven laws of national spatial growth. | Whether in wartime or in peacetime, the US must prevent several power centers from uniformly linking up against its interests. |
Historicality | Hundred Years’ Great Cold War between Britain and Russia Russian expansion in Europe and Asia | Surge in overseas trade; interception of the US Merchant Marine by British Royal Navy in the early days; trade embargo during the Napoleonic Wars; | National united war, instability of economic growth and continuous growth of population | Experiences of the United States in entering the World War I & II |
Sociality / situationality | The Great Britain was actively expanding overseas, establishing its colonies, and striving for hegemony all over the world. | The United States was wandering between conservative isolationism and aggressive overseas expansion. | The unstable economic growth and continuous population growth of Germany would put the tremendous pressure on its living space. | The America’s GDP share of the world’s total GDP was up to nearly 30%. The United States completely dominated the world in the economy and military. |
Political pursues Value targets | Serve the British overseas colonial expansion and world hegemony. | Enhance the naval strength; expand the overseas trade and colonies; ensure the maritime transport security; | Enhance the international status of Germany; implement the imperialism and “world politics”. | Adapt to the American strategic vision of postwar world hegemony. |
Geographic knowledge - power | The pivotal country has its nature of overseas expansion and aggression as described above. All other countries should be united against the pivotal country. | The United States has the basic conditions for building up a strong navy. | The national system is similar to the biological organism, subject to the laws of nature. Therefore, the nation’s expansion is inevitable. | The great power in the Eurasian region has its nature of expansion and control of marginal regions. |
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