What you'll learn:
- Understand key geopolitical thinkers, theories and concepts
- Identify the most important founders of geopolitics, including their key contributions
- Understand the impact of classical geopolitics on contemporary foreign policy problems, including the war in Ukraine and US policy on China
- Understand the importance and impact of the political geography of Friedrich Ratzel
- Understand the idea of a state as a living organism and lebensraum
- Compare Ratzel with Rudolf Kjellén, who expanded Ratzel's theories and informed German Nazi expansionism
- Understand the profound impact of Halford MacKinder on modern foreign policy of great powers
- Become expert on the theory of Eurasian Heartland, Inner Crescent and Outer Crescent
- Explore the naval strategy of Alfred Thayer Mahan and his influence
- Understand the influence of Nikolas Spykman and how he revised MacKinder's geopolitics
- Explore the significance of Rimland in relation to Heartland, as well as Offshore Continents
- Explore the geopolitics of Karl Haushofer and his role in Nazi Germany
- Understand the importance of the German - Soviet alliance and why it matters today
- Explore the impact of classical geopolitics on the modern challenge of US foreign policy and the rise of China
- Explore the impact of classical geopolitical thinkers on Russian foreign policy and its role in the world
Unlock the Foundations of Global Power: Introduction to Geopolitics, History, and Founders
Lost in the complex web of global power struggles? Curious why countries act the way they do, or how historical ideas shape today’s policies?
This course on “Introduction to Geopolitics: History and Founders” will guide you through the fascinating origins of geopolitics—from the ideas that once shaped empires to the foundational theories still influencing today’s foreign policy. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply passionate about global affairs, this course gives you the confidence to engage deeply with the forces shaping our world.
Why Understanding Geopolitics Matters Today
Global tensions, shifting alliances, economic rivalries—these challenges aren’t new. They’re driven by timeless ideas and strategies established long ago by visionaries of geopolitics. Unfortunately, most media coverage overlooks the foundational ideas that still drive modern conflicts. Without these insights, it’s hard to truly grasp why wars begin, alliances shift, and nations pursue power.
Imagine knowing why the US views China as a rival, why Russia is invested in Eastern Europe, or how historical strategies like the “Heartland” theory influence power plays today. This course will make you an informed voice on these pressing issues, arming you with the knowledge of geopolitical foundations that shape today’s global arena.
What You’ll Get in This Course
Through structured, engaging video lectures and practical exercises, this course brings the critical theories of geopolitics to life, making complex ideas easy to grasp. You’ll not only learn about these theories—you’ll understand how they influence the headlines we see today.
Learning Resources
Printable Handouts: Visualize key ideas with easy-to-reference handouts covering each section’s slides.
Study Guides: Test your knowledge with quizzes, essay questions, and glossaries designed to reinforce each topic.
Multiple Choice Quizzes: Check your understanding as you go with quizzes that track your progress.
Audio Summaries: End-of-section audio reviews solidify your learning, making it easy to absorb even complex topics.
What You’ll Learn: Discover the Minds and Ideas That Shape Global Power
By the end of this course, you’ll know the theories, thinkers, and strategies that define geopolitics and guide the actions of world leaders. Here’s what you’ll cover:
1. The Founders of Geopolitical Theory
Meet the thinkers who defined geopolitics as we know it today and understand their influence on current international policies.
2. Key Geopolitical Concepts and Why They Matter
Explore essential ideas like Lebensraum, Heartland Theory, Rimland Strategy, and Political Geography and see how these concepts influence today’s power struggles.
3. The Impact of Friedrich Ratzel’s Ideas on Political Geography
Understand how Ratzel’s concept of the “state as a living organism” laid the groundwork for future territorial ambitions and global strategy.
4. Ratzel’s Successors and Their Lasting Influence
Learn how Rudolf Kjellén expanded Ratzel’s theories, creating ideas that influenced Nazi expansionist policies and which remain significant in global strategies.
5. Halford Mackinder and the “Heartland Theory”
Discover how Mackinder’s theory of Eurasian Heartland power influenced the strategies of both the Allies and the Axis powers and still shapes US, Russian, and Chinese policies today.
6. Naval Strategy and Alfred Thayer Mahan
Explore Mahan’s impact on naval dominance, which not only guided the British Empire’s naval supremacy but also informs modern American and Chinese maritime strategy.
7. Nikolas Spykman’s Rimland Theory: A Critical Revision
Understand how Spykman expanded on Mackinder’s ideas to introduce the Rimland concept, a framework still relevant in NATO, US, and EU policies on containing potential rivals.
8. The Controversial Geopolitics of Karl Haushofer
Examine Haushofer’s role in Nazi Germany’s geopolitical strategies, and learn how his theories influenced the German-Soviet alliance—a significant historical relationship with echoes in today’s East-West tensions.
9. Classical Geopolitics and the Rise of China
Trace how classical geopolitical theories are shaping China’s global rise, from the South China Sea to the Belt and Road Initiative, and how these moves challenge US foreign policy.
10. Geopolitical Theory and Russian Foreign Policy Today
Delve into Russia’s modern geopolitical strategies, heavily influenced by historical theories, and understand why Russia is so invested in regions like Ukraine and Central Asia.
Why This Course is Perfect for You
Imagine confidently discussing geopolitical ideas that world leaders rely on to guide policy and strategy. Whether you’re preparing for school, enhancing your career, or simply want to deepen your understanding, this course breaks down the complexities of geopolitics in a clear, engaging way.
After completing this course, you’ll be able to:
Identify and explain the ideas of influential geopolitical thinkers
Discuss the role of classical geopolitics in today’s international conflicts
Interpret major events and strategies through a well-grounded, expert lens
You’ll no longer feel like an outsider to these global discussions—you’ll be an expert, equipped to join conversations and debates with an understanding that goes beyond surface-level analysis.
Learn the Key Ideas Shaping World Politics Today
The modern world is built on the ideas of the past. This course will unlock those ideas, showing you how the founders of geopolitics laid the groundwork for today’s most complex international issues. From American and Chinese rivalry to European security challenges, gain the insights that will make you a knowledgeable voice on these critical topics.
Enroll Now in “Introduction to Geopolitics: History and Founders” and master the ideas that define today’s global landscape.
Begin Your Geopolitical Journey
My Promise to You
I promise that the tuition in this course is of the highest quality, based on genuine university-level teaching and research. It is presented in a highly-accessible and engaging way, designed specifically for those who do not have prior university degree in Politics or International Relations.
I invite you to send me a message if you have any questions about the content of this course.
From My Students:
"The course was very informative and helpful, and I will apply the knowledge I gain. The lecturer was incredibly fantastic. He explain all the concepts and the definitions of all the topics."
"Dr. Zwolski truly has teaching skills. He is a straightforward professor and his videos are both interesting and valuable."
"The course is really informative and provides a very in-depth analysis of several complex topics which otherwise would have been quite difficult to understand. The simplified analysis of various important speeches too help me understand the thinking patterns of a country's culture, thus making future moves more predictable. Overall, this course is totally worth the money and is really good irrespective of your geopolitical knowledge/prior exposure."
"The instructor is a good lecturer. Interesting material presented clearly and concisely."
"I'm just a 14 year old high school student who loves to know about current affairs and global conflicts. Mr. Zwolski's course helped me to understand the origins and key concepts of "Geopolitics" without having any university degree or any experiences in this field."
"I really enjoy listening this guy's lecture. I could sit for hours listening to him lecture and learning new things about International Relations."
"The lectures have been made very simple to understand! Kamil is doing an amazing job!"
"Crisp and clear videos, to the point, can be watched easily on the mobile phone."
"Wow! If your reading the comments and debating on whether or not to take this course,TAKE IT! If you read The Economist, Forbes, taking classes on International relations, or stationed on a foreign base, this class is for you! After this you should be able to decipher mainstream media news outlets! Semper Fi!"
"I applied to do M.A in International Relations and this course helped me to pass the interview examination as i don't have any back ground in the subject."
