Spykman Rimland Theory Pdf Download
Spykmans Rimland Theory: A Geopolitical Perspective on World Politics
Are you interested in learning more about the rimland theory, a concept that explains the importance of the coastal areas of Eurasia for global power and security? If so, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with a brief overview of Spykmans rimland theory, its main arguments, and its relevance for todays world. We will also provide you with a link to download a PDF version of this article for your convenience.
spykman rimland theory pdf download
What is Spykmans Rimland Theory?
Spykmans rimland theory was developed by Nicholas John Spykman, a professor of international relations at Yale University. He was influenced by Halford Mackinders heartland theory, which claimed that whoever controlled the central Asian zone (the so-called Heartland) would dominate the Eurasian continent and the world. Spykman criticized Mackinder for overrating the Heartland as being of immense strategic importance due to its vast size, central geographical location and supremacy of land power rather than sea power. He argued that the Heartland was not a potential hub of Europe, because:
Western Russia was then an agrarian society
Bases of industrialization were found to the west of the Ural mountains
This area was ringed to the north, east, south, and south-west by some of the greater obstacles to transportation (ice and freezing temperature, lowering mountains etc.)
There has never really been a simple land powersea power opposition
Spykman thought that the Rimland, the strip of coastal land that encircles Eurasia, was more important than the central Asian zone (the so-called Heartland) for the control of the Eurasian continent. He described the maritime fringe of a country or continent; in particular the densely populated western, southern, and eastern edges of the Eurasian continent. He divided the Rimland into three sections:
The European coast land
The Arabian - Middle Eastern desert land
The Asiatic monsoon land
Spykmans famous slogan was: Who controls the Rimland rules Eurasia, who rules Eurasia controls the destinies of the world. He believed that the Rimland contained most of worlds people as well as large share of worlds resources. It was also in between Heartland and marginal seas, so it was more important than Heartland. It included Asia minor, Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, South East Asia, China, Korea and East Siberia except Russia. All these countries lie in the buffer zone that is between sea power and land power. Rimland countries were amphibian states, surrounding the Eurasian continents.
Spykman rejected the simple grouping of the Asian countries into one monsoon land. He recognized that India, the Indian Ocean littoral, and Indian culture were geographically and civilizationally separate from the Chinese lands. The Rimlands defining characteristic is that it is an intermediate region, lying between the heartland and the marginal sea powers. As the amphibious buffer zone between the land powers and sea powers, it must defend itself from both sides, and therein lies its fundamental security problems.
Why is Spykmans Rimland Theory Relevant Today?
Spykmans rimland theory is still relevant today because it provides a useful framework for understanding the geopolitical dynamics of Eurasia and beyond. Some of the current issues that can be analyzed using Spykmans rimland theory are:
The rise of China as a major sea power and its challenge to US hegemony in Asia-Pacific
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as Chinas attempt to expand its influence and connectivity across Eurasia
The South China Sea dispute as a flashpoint between China and its rimland neighbors over maritime rights and resources
The US-led Indo-Pacific strategy as a counterbalance to Chinas BRI and assertiveness in Asia
The role of India as a potential swing state between China and US in Eurasia
The conflicts and cooperation among rimland states in Middle East over oil, security and ideology c481cea774