Foundations of classical geopolitics: evolution of the German school

Abstract

The relevance of the research topic is characterized by the importance of studying the foundations
of classical geopolitics. In the article, the authors reveal the meaning of geopolitics and its importance. The main
goal of the article is to consider the main theories and views that form the theoretical basis of geopolitics as a
science. The territory occupied by the state, its size, composition, and configuration is the main geopolitical
factor. Thus, geopolitics, from a theoretical point of view, is primarily a science of the territorial interests of
the state. In the context of recent events, the geopolitical interests of peoples must be realized in a democratic
and civilized way, through peaceful coexistence and unity in the commonwealth on the basis of new forms of
state structure and state unions. Initially, geopolitics as a science was formed by ideas about the possibility of
neutralizing and compensating for the unfavorable moments of the spatial situation through external economic
and political activity. There were attempts to theoretically justify military aggression against other states, for
example, such a period occurred in Germany, and it was characterized by the beginning of the First World
War. This fact determined a negative attitude toward geopolitics. Today, many experts agree that geopolitics is
the foundation of politics, historically confirmed when large organized groups of people in primitive societies  determined their location, activities, and relationships with other primitive social communities. In this article,
the authors review the foundations of classical geopolitics, and the meaning of the term, and explore the
evolution of the views of Western scholars. To achieve this goal, the authors use methods and analyze various
works of Western researchers.