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Space Is Power

The Seven Rules of Territory

John Hickman

From Russia’s annexation of Crimea to China’s ‘nine-dash line’ in the South China Sea, it is clear that territory is as important in international politics now as it has ever been. Yet too few contemporary foreign policy makers, journalists, and scholars are able to speak coherently about territorial issues. Space Is Power: The Seven Rules of Territory challenges the intellectual conceits that human territoriality is merely a social construct, that territorial sovereignty is atavistic, that territorial annexation is always irrational, and that territorial disputes are provoked by foreign policy makers who seek to divert public attention from more important issues. Space Is Power argues that territoriality is too basic to human nature to be denied and territorial sovereignty is too important to the survival of the modern state to be ignored. The truths about territory are captured in seven rules, some of which are intuitive while others contradict conventional wisdom. Rather than anticipating the transcendence of the territorial states, this book argues that the unmistakable direction of international politics is toward encompassing ever more physical space as the territory of states.

Lexington Books

Pages: 226 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4985-1289-3 • Hardback • February 2016 • $115.00 • (£88.00)

978-1-4985-1290-9 • eBook • February 2016 • $45.00 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Political Science / International Relations / General, Political Science / General, Political Science / History & Theory

Space Is Power

The Seven Rules of Territory

Hardback

eBook

Summary

From Russia’s annexation of Crimea to China’s ‘nine-dash line’ in the South China Sea, it is clear that territory is as important in international politics now as it has ever been. Yet too few contemporary foreign policy makers, journalists, and scholars are able to speak coherently about territorial issues. Space Is Power: The Seven Rules of Territory challenges the intellectual conceits that human territoriality is merely a social construct, that territorial sovereignty is atavistic, that territorial annexation is always irrational, and that territorial disputes are provoked by foreign policy makers who seek to divert public attention from more important issues. Space Is Power argues that territoriality is too basic to human nature to be denied and territorial sovereignty is too important to the survival of the modern state to be ignored. The truths about territory are captured in seven rules, some of which are intuitive while others contradict conventional wisdom. Rather than anticipating the transcendence of the territorial states, this book argues that the unmistakable direction of international politics is toward encompassing ever more physical space as the territory of states.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 226 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4985-1289-3 • Hardback • February 2016 • $115.00 • (£88.00)

978-1-4985-1290-9 • eBook • February 2016 • $45.00 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Political Science / International Relations / General, Political Science / General, Political Science / History & Theory

Author

John Hickman is professor of political science at Berry College.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Rule #1: Expect Humans to be Territorial
Chapter Two: Rule #2: Expect Polities to Claim Territory their Rulers Believe is the Most Valuable
Chapter Three: Rule #3: Expect the Modern State to Compete for Territory
Chapter Four: Rule #4: Remember that Competition for Territory Between Modern States may be Peaceful
Chapter Five: Rule #5: Treat International Law and Diplomatic Rhetoric about Territory as Mere Words
Chapter Six: Rule #6: Expect Territory to Provide both Present and Future Power Resources
Chapter Seven: Rule #7: Expect Geopolitical Grand Strategies to be Sticky
Chapter Eight: Anglo-sphere
Chapter Nine: Sino-sphere
Chapter Ten: Russo-sphere
Chapter Eleven: Indo-sphere
Chapter Twelve: Brazilo-sphere
Chapter Thirteen: Euro-sphere
Chapter Fourteen: Exotic Territories

Reviews

John Hickman's engaging and historically rich treatment of state survival, sovereignty, and competition for territory is a blow to all who predict the demise of the state. In the tradition of Raymond Aron, Hickman delivers an international relations primer built on the understanding that the state is rooted in human nature and the exercise of power over territory is a political universal that endures throughout human history, a fact that has made relative peace possible for much of the world over long stretches of time. Certain to leap to the forefront of the literature on geopolitics, Space Is Power also provides excellent background and lessons for policymakers intent on ‘solving’ global or regional issues in the 21st century.
— Steven Lambakis, National Institute for Public Policy

In an overpopulated and increasingly consumeristic world violent or peaceful competition over scarce resources, and by implication territory, is unavoidable. Writing from the tradition of political realism, one of Hickman’s main points is that territoriality is not only a basic political behaviour but an innate form of human behaviour. Hickman’s book is a relevant and timely addition to the literature. The book is clearly structured and written in a conversational style that is easily accessible without sacrificing erudition. A pleasure to read.
— Eleni Panagiotarakou, Lecturer of Philosophy and Political Science, Concordia University

Penetrating, wide-ranging, deeply learned, and accessible, Space is Power should be read by all those who want to learn how space and territory have shaped—and will continue to shape—global geopolitics and human fates. A timely and provocative book.
— Pekka Hämäläinen, University of Oxford, author of "The Comanche Empire"

Space Is Power

The Seven Rules of Territory

John Hickman

Space Is Power

The Seven Rules of Territory

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