geopolitiske

Geopolitiske, or geopolitics in English, is the study of how geographic factors influence political power, state strategy and international relations. In Danish usage, geopolitiske is used to describe analyses, policies and debates that involve geography, borders, resources and environmental conditions shaping political outcomes.

The term originated in the early 20th century with Rudolf Kjellén, who coined geopolitiske or geopolitik, and was developed by writers such as Halford Mackinder and Alfred Thayer Mahan, who linked geography to strategic power. Over time the field expanded to include critical geopolitics, which examines how political actors construct geographic knowledge and narratives to justify policy, as well as the role of culture, ideology and media.

Geopolitical analysis relies on maps, spatial data and qualitative methods to examine borders, resource access, sea routes, energy corridors and climate-related risks. It intersects with international relations, security studies and regional analysis, drawing on realist, liberal and constructivist perspectives to explain why geography matters and how states respond to geographic advantages or vulnerabilities.

Contemporary geopolitiske concerns include Arctic strategy, maritime chokepoints, great-power competition, energy security, migration and demographic shifts, and the geostrategic implications of climate change and cutting-edge technologies. The field remains contested, balancing geographic explanations with the agency of political institutions and actors, and considering ethical questions about the use of geographic knowledge in policy.