ABSTRACT

There can be little doubt that Mackinder's concept of the Heartland has gained more widespread attention in the twentieth century than any other specifically geographical theory. While far from being a precise formulation, its boldness, novelty, and vision have led to its being open to varied interpretations without losing its power of persuasive insight. This was to a large extent due to the power of Mackinder's literary style coupled with his broad knowledge of global history, geography and politics, not encumbered with unnecessary detail or jargon but able to integrate effectively and imaginatively to produce a coherent argument. Outlook, vision, and a certain cool detachment alongside startling conclusions of global significance, have endowed Mackinder's ideas with a power and influence over many international thinkers and leaders over most of the twentieth century.