Great Powers and Geopolitical Change

by Jakub J. Grygiel

Overview

Named by Foreign Affairs as a book to read on geopolitics.

In an era of high technology and instant communication, the role of geography in the formation of strategy and politics in international relations can be undervalued. But the mountains of Afghanistan and the scorching sand storms of Iraq have provided stark reminders that geographical realities continue to have a profound impact on the success of military campaigns. Here, political scientist Jakub J. Grygiel brings to light the importance of incorporating geography into grand strategy. He argues that states can increase and maintain their position of power by pursuing a geostrategy that focuses on control of resources and lines of communication.

Grygiel examines case studies of Venice, the Ottoman Empire, and China in the global fifteenth century—all great powers that faced a dramatic change in geopolitics when new routes and continents were discovered. The location of resources, the layout of trade networks, and the stability of state boundaries played a large role in the success or failure of these three powers. Grygiel asserts that, though many other aspects of foreign policy have changed throughout history, strategic response to geographical features remains one of the most salient factors in establishing and maintaining power in the international arena.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421404158
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	08/01/2011
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	280
Sales rank:	913,620
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jakub J. Grygiel is an associate professor and the George H. W. Bush Chair of International Affairs at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Premature Death of Geography
2. Geography, Geopolitics, and Geostrategy
3. The Geopolitical Change of the Sixteenth Century
4. The Geostrategy of Venice (1000–1600)
5. The Geostrategy of the Ottoman Empire (1300–1699)
6. The Geostrategy of Ming China (1364–1644)
7. Lessons for the United States
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

This interesting book examines the strategic structure of the empires of Venice, the Ottomans, and Ming China from the eleventh to the sixteenth centuries . . . Grygiel's provocative volume will initiate many debates.
—Brian W. Blouet, Geographical Review

A must-read for anyone interested in international relations in general and geopolitics in particular.
—John P. Vanzo, International Studies Review

Grygiel’s short but informative study serves as testament to the fact that today, no serious work of political theory can ignore the perspective of the longue durée, and even more specifically, the historical experience of non-Western regions and states.
—Boris Stremlin, Journal of World-Systems Research

He makes a very compelling case that geography, geopolitics, and geostrategy are relevant factors in the rise and decline of great powers, past, present, and future . . . Great Powers and Geopolitical Change is a book that I believe deserves the attention of policymakers and scholars alike.
—Randall L. Schweller, Perspectives on Politics

According to Grygiel, a country's strategic response to geography remains one of the most salient factors in establishing and maintaining power in the international arena.
—Geoffrey Sloan, Foreign Affairs

From the Publisher

This interesting book examines the strategic structure of the empires of Venice, the Ottomans, and Ming China from the eleventh to the sixteenth centuries . . . Grygiel's provocative volume will initiate many debates.

Geographical Review - Brian W. Blouet

He makes a very compelling case that geography, geopolitics, and geostrategy are relevant factors in the rise and decline of great powers, past, present, and future . . . Great Powers and Geopolitical Change is a book that I believe deserves the attention of policymakers and scholars alike.

Perspectives on Politics - Randall L. Schweller

"According to Grygiel, a country's strategic response to geography remains one of the most salient factors in establishing and maintaining power in the international arena."

Foreign Affairs - Geoffrey Sloan

"Grygiel’s short but informative study serves as testament to the fact that today, no serious work of political theory can ignore the perspective of the longue durée, and even more specifically, the historical experience of non-Western regions and states."

Journal of World-Systems Research - Boris Stremlin

"A must-read for anyone interested in international relations in general and geopolitics in particular."

International Studies Review - John P. Vanzo

According to Grygiel, a country's strategic response to geography remains one of the most salient factors in establishing and maintaining power in the international arena.

— Geoffrey Sloan

Foreign Affairs

He makes a very compelling case that geography, geopolitics, and geostrategy are relevant factors in the rise and decline of great powers, past, present, and future... Great Powers and Geopolitical Change is a book that I believe deserves the attention of policymakers and scholars alike.

— Randall L. Schweller

Perspectives on Politics

Grygiel’s short but informative study serves as testament to the fact that today, no serious work of political theory can ignore the perspective of the longue durée, and even more specifically, the historical experience of non-Western regions and states.

— Boris Stremlin

Journal of World-Systems Research

A must-read for anyone interested in international relations in general and geopolitics in particular.

— John P. Vanzo

International Studies Review

This interesting book examines the strategic structure of the empires of Venice, the Ottomans, and Ming China from the eleventh to the sixteenth centuries... Grygiel's provocative volume will initiate many debates.

— Brian W. Blouet

Geographical Review