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Introduction to Geopolitics Slide 2 Slide 3 The study of how geography impacts politics, demography, and economics, especially with respect to developing foreign policy and international conflicts. Slide 4 Geopolitics A term used to describe how nations or groups of people interact with or exert their influence over other peoples or surrounding nations Refers to one nations sphere of influence over its neighbors Slide 5 A key to understanding geopolitics is understanding that political attitudes and actions in the past are important factors in determining the current world condition. These attitudes develop in large part in response to the nations geographic situation in the world. Slide 6 Many mechanisms can be used by a nation to exert its influence over another country. Military force Trade Foreign aid Mass media Religion Economic sanctions and Industrial Development ** Energy and Pollution ** Population Policies Slide 7 When interaction between groups or nations is " confrontational" human rights are often at issue. Human rights issues can involve: ~ loss of life ~ economic deprivation ~ religious persecution ~ torture ~ arbitrary detention ~ abuse of children (child pornograpghy, labour) Slide 8 " All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." " entitled to all rights and freedoms without discrimination of any kind" Slide 9 The United Nations Commission of Human Rights receives over 400,000 complaints a year from individuals, families or groups such as Amnesty International Slide 10 Slide 11 All humans are born free and equal and in dignity and rights Everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national origin, property, birth or other status Slide 12 All human beings are entitled to the following freedoms: ~ life ~ liberty ~ freedom from torture ~ equality before the law ~ freedom of movement (including right to immigrate) ~ ownership of property ~ freedom of opinion and expression ~ choice of employment ~ equal pay for equal work ~ unhindered trade union membership ~ a standard of living suitable for health or well- being ~ free participation in the cultural life of the community Slide 13 How universally accepted are these human rights? Slide 14