Traditional space vs. cyberspace: The changing role of geography in current international politics
Title:
Traditional space vs. cyberspace: The changing role of geography in current international politics
Author:
Spiegel, Steven L.
Appeared in:
Geopolitics
Paging:
Volume 5 (2000) nr. 3 pages 114-125
Year:
2000
Contents:
In the post-Cold War world, the competition and restraint of the bipolar Cold War are both gone, giving rise to two opposing forces: the unifying force of globalisation and the fragmenting impact of nationalism and geographic conflict. In the current international system, these two forces are confronted in different ways by three types of states, each with its own priorities and place for geography. For high technology, or twenty-first century states, the focus is on globalisation and disputes cannot be solved by territorial acquisition. For nationalistic, or nineteenth century states, nationalist hostilities still predominate and gaining land is often still more important than wealth. Transitional, or twentieth century states, are caught in a vice between their advanced technological potential and their economic and social crises. Any accurate depiction of the current system must include all three types of states, as well as how their interaction affects the goals and behaviour of each type.
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