The Human Factor in Geopolitics

Abstract

This study investigates the involvement and employment of the human factor in the theorization process of geopolitical theories. It was aimed to make a theoretical inquiry at the meta-theoretical level by determining the basic research object as the human factor. For this purpose, alternative approaches such as classical and critical forms of geopolitics, postmodern, Marxist political geography theories, and the city geopolitics are examined and the position of the human factor in these theories is investigated. The theoretical framework of this meta-theoretical research process is the paradigms of human geography. In the study, firstly, the classification of human geographical paradigms regarding their approach to the human factor is provided. The paradigms examined and their perceptions of the human factor at the theoretical level have been the basic reference for examining classical and alternative geopolitical theories. In the secondary sense, this study also aims to analyze the paradigms of human geography to introduce new conceptual and methodological tools for political geography and to evaluate alternative developmental trends of geopolitical theories in this direction. This study is specifically concerned with the condition of human factor in the geopolitical literature. The basic and primary texts of geopolitics have been investigated in this respect and heir perception of the human in social sense and the role of the social factors are identified. This thesis deals with meta-theoretical debates and philosophical backgrounds of geopolitical literature and analyzing the major works in terms of epistemology. The structure of the research is architected to provide the required content for philosophical understanding of issues such as human factor, human agency and human-geography relationship in geopolitics.