ABSTRACT

In 1904 Sir Halford Mackinder published his seminal paper The Geographical Pivot of History demonstrating the central position of political geography in the study of geography as a whole; a century later and political geography is still at the heart of human geography.

Yet over time political geography has experienced many significant ups and downs, eventually recovering to a position of renewed pre-eminence as the last century drew to a close. This fascinating journey, charted by this equally fascinating book, forms a key part of the history of the evolution of spatial science. Beyond a narrative, the book provides an introduction to all the complex elements that constitute political geography today. Organized in three distinct sections, it covers:

  • process and patterns
  • ideology and geopolitical visions
  • beyond the state.

Tackling key contemporary issues (such as politics and the local state), as well as more traditional topics (such as state formation and international relations), this thought-provoking book covers the range of theoretical approaches. Including many original maps and diagrams which skilfully illustrate key themes, this book is a concise, student-friendly, pedagogically rich introduction for students of geography, political science and world affairs.

chapter |14 pages

Placing political geography

part |117 pages

Process and patterns

chapter |21 pages

The idea of the state

chapter |18 pages

Making states work

The variety of local state systems

chapter |17 pages

The politics of difference

chapter |17 pages

Electoral geographies

part |49 pages

Ideology and geopolitical visions

chapter |18 pages

Dreams into action

The making of national foreign policy

chapter |14 pages

A nnexing the oceans

part |35 pages

Beyond the state

chapter |4 pages

Conclusion

The shape of things to come