This document discusses several key concepts in geopolitics including Mackinder's Heartland Theory which argues that controlling Eastern Europe allows control of the world. It also defines supranational organizations like the EU and UN as separate entities formed by states for mutual benefit. Finally, it outlines some unique aspects of the EU such as its multifaceted governance structure and optional membership driven by economic incentives.

2. How do Geopolitics Help us Understand the World?
• “Geopolitics is the interplay among geography, power, politics, and international
relations. Geopolitics brings locational considerations, environmental contexts, territorial
perspectives, and spatial assumptions to the fore.” -- de Blij 262
• Geopoltics fit into two categories:
• German School: explanation why certain states are powerful and how to be become
powerful
• British/American School: offers strategic advice for states and explains why countries
interact at the global scale the way they do

3. Mackinder’s Heartland Theory
• Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland
• Who rules the Heartland commands the World Island
• Who rules the World Island commands the world

5. What Are Supranational Organizations?
• Supranational organization: A separate entity
composed of three or more states that forge an
association and form an administrative structure
for mutual benefit in pursuit of shared goals
• Examples:
• European Union
• United Nations
• WTO (World Trade Organization)
• OPEC (Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries)

6. Germany Russia
SOVIET UNION
GERMANY
BALTIC
STATES
FINLAND
SWEDEN
DENMARK,
NORWAY
POLAND

7. Baltic League
SOVIET UNION
GERMANY
BALTIC
STATES
FINLAND
SWEDEN
DENMARK,
NORWAY
POLAND

8. Figure 3: The Cold War era ‘Nordic balance’
West Soviet UnionNOR SWE
EU
DEN FIN
Finland is depicted as partly falling into the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence
due to the FCMA treaty that limited its external sovereignty.
The Cold War era ’Nordic balance’ (II)

9. EU ’empire’
USA
North Africa: Maghreb,
energy, immigration,
smuggling
Middle East: Mashrek,
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Turkey:
Cyprus, energy
transit
Western
CIS/NIS:
energy
transit, open
and frozen
conflicts
’Northern/Baltic
Europe’: energy,
frozen/open
conflicts, borders
Russia:
energy,
competing
empire?
USA
Uzbekistan
Central Asia:
energy,
’matrioshka’
nationalisms and
hegemonies
China
From northern to wider Europe and beyond: geopolitics on
different levels and constellations

11. What is Unique about EU?
• It is not a state, nor a simple organization of states (unique in this regard)
• EU has multifaceted gov’t structure; three capitals (Brussels, Strasbourg,
Frankfurt & the Hague) and billions in monetary flow
• EU extends into foreign relations, domestic issues, military policies
• States have sovereignty within the EU, but must abide by EU guidelines in
order to remain a participant in the EU
• EU membership is optional, but has proven to be highly sought after
• There is no Constitution, but a Treaty (Treaty of Lisbon 2007) that binds
member states to set standard of laws by 2009
• Parliament would be given more leeway in proposing and changing laws
• A Day in the Life of a Parliamentary Member

12. € 2012
€ 2009
€ 2011

13. The EU Parliament
Lisbon Treaty

14. Member Nations of the European Union
1957
blue
1973
green
1981
red
1986
yellow
1995
orange
2004
purple
2007
lavender
Europe
Atlantic Ocean
Faroe Islands
(Denmark)
Norwegian Sea
Iceland
Sweden
Finland
Norway
Poland
Czech Rep.
Hungary
Slovakia
Romania
Ukraine
Russia
Belarus
Moldova
U.K.
Ireland
Spain
Germany
France
Belgium
Neth.
Lux.
Italy
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Russia
BulgariaSerbia
Alb.
Bos.&
Herz.
Mont.
Greece
Portugal
Turkey
Cyprus
Mace.
Croatia
Slovenia
Austria
Liech.
San Marino
Monaco
MaltaTunisiaAlgeriaMorocco
Switz.
Denmark
Mediterranean Sea
Greenland
(Denmark) Jan Mayen
(Norway)