What is Geopolitics?

This is a tutorial given 13th June 2022

Introduction

Hello, I'm going to do this session in two sections. First I'll do a short introduction and give a broad brush description of geopolitics.

Then I'll pose some questions so that will can drill down in much more detail.

World events have moved geopolitics up the agenda. Almost every day there's news of geopolitical rivalries.

Today the E.U/U.K dispute has been all over the news. There's also the war in Ukraine.

What we're seeing is the consequences, the expressing, of the transition from a unipolar world to a multi-polar one.

There are conflicts between the west and Russia and between the west and China.

We need to develop a basic understanding of what drives these events and develop a perspective, a class perspective.

So that we can work out what is in the best interests of the working class.

Basic description of geopolitics

Division of the world according to Haushofer's Pan-Regions Doctrine

 

I'm going to start with a basic description of what geopolitics is.

There are quite a few descriptions of what geopolitics is.

The most succinct I've been able to come up with is:

How geography and resources influence the strategic interests between nations and blocs.

The greatest influence on geopolitics are between neighbouring countries.

They share or compete over resources and the bulk of their trade is usually with each other.

It's not just external relations that impact geopolitics.

The competing material interest and class conflict between different strata and within strata can affect what happens beyond a nations borders.

Brexit is a good example of this. There were divisions right though the classes, the result was profound geopolitical consequences.

A number of things are important governing geopolitical interests.

Territorial integrity, this is probably the most important.

Resources such as water, energy, metals, minerals, food etc.

Trade and trade routes

* From discussion on the questions below, religion was added as an important factor in geopolitics. This was from a discussion on Irish, Scottish and Indian politics.

Always bear in mind that ultimately geopolitics are a reflection of class interests.

To sum it up as simply as a I can, what matters when analysing geopolitical events is:

• A class perspective
• Facts on the ground

You take as a starting point the facts on the ground, not the rights and wrongs.

From there you can understand how events developed to that point and how those events will most likely evolve.

Then you can work out what is in the best interests of the working class.

Any other way is just a dry academic exercise.

Now for some questions.

===============Questions================

* Why do nations form alliances?

Answers

•      Defence
•      Mutual gain
•      Resources and trade
•      Shared class interests

* What are the order of strategic priorities for countries/blocs?
E.g. U.S and the E.U
Answers

•      Resources
•      Preventing rivals access to resources

* Why do powerful nations form alliances with weaker nations?
E.g. U.S/Israel and Russia/Syria.
Answers

•      Buffer state
•      Deny access of resources to rivals
•      Maintain military presence

* What methods are used to undermine the strategic interests of rivals?
Answers

•      Economic sanctions
•      Undermine territorial integrity
•      Regime change
•      Invasion
•      Containment - Surround with military + prevent economic development

* What, if any, interests does the working class have in these alliances and geopolitic rivalries?
Answers

•      Benefits from trade
•      Not very much - Go to war and die!

Gary Hollands - Monday 13 June 2022