Essay about Mackinder or Mahan - 2123 Words

Who is more useful for understanding contemporary Geopolitics: Mackinder or Mahan? Use a major power to illustrate your points. In the current century that we live, the world is becoming a smaller place from the effects of technology and globalisation. In the 19th and 20th century, the theoretical works of Mahan and Mackinder were drivers of geopolitical thought. Both theorists’ have a similar framework where they studied political power, military strength and how they were affected by geographic space. In the modern era, geopolitics is very similar to traditional thought, which is why these theorists, in particular Mahan, are arguably still applicable to contemporary geopolitics. The ideologies that are held together by Mackinder and†¦show more content†¦His second trident, grammar, provides the rules of preparing for warfare and naval readiness. It consists martially and operational in nature, through production and overseas markets and bases. Holmes and Yoshihara (2010) come to appreciate the relevance of Mahan’s logic, more than his grammar. The grammar of combat is out-dated, providing that the last fleet engagement was at the Leyte Gulf in 1944. An extremely relevant question regarding the United States’ need for an immediate fleet is extremely relevant. An interesting discussion made by Holmes and Yoshihara (2010) addresses the questionable issue about the United States needing to have high-end ships and criticises the mindset in which the nation has regarding contemporary geopolitics and outcomes for the future of naval warfare. Mahan used six principles that primarily affect a nations ability to become a powerful sea power: geographical position, physical conformation, extent of territory, size of the population, character of the people, and character of the government. Parker (2003) stated these conditions â€Å"were valid requirements for national power in the late 19th century, are valid requirements for national powerShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Mahans Advocacy For Sea Power Against Mackinders Views On A Nations Economic Prosperity And Security1709 Words   |  7 Pageswritings of Mahan and Mackinder are often portrayed as two purist theories opposing one another. Scholars pit Mahan’s advocacy for sea power against Mackinder’s insights into the benefits of land power and soon the real genius of both is lost. (For examples, see Dodds and Sidaway 292, 2004 and Colls 238-239, 2002 as cited in Dodds and Sidaway 293, 2004 and Holmes and Yoshihara 25, 2005). In truth, in almost every respect, Mahan’s and Mackinder’s views are complementary. While Mahan does emphasizeRead MoreList Of Abbreviations And Abbreviations10695 Words   |  43 Pagesand controlled the sea routes. This made them conquer most of Europe, parts of Africa and the Middle East for their own imperial growth. Centuries later, Sir Halford Mackinder (1904) came up with the ‘heartland’ theory which stated that,‘the more the vast lands a state acquired the more powerful the state would became.’ Alfred Mahan (1890) came up with the ‘sea power’ theory which stated that,‘by controlling the waters and all its sea routes, the more powerful the state would become’ (kivoto, 2012)