UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 1

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Multidisciplinary Studies Consular and Diplomatic Affairs Program

The Countries of Israel and India as an Interpretive Guide in Understanding the Concept of Geopolitical Imagination

Christelle M. Jovenir Student of Consular and Diplomatic Affairs

May !"#$

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 2

Table of Contents

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 3

List of Tables and Figures

%igure #& McArthur's (niversal Corrective Map

%igure !& Map of )srael Sho*ing the +ccupied Palestinian and Syrian

,erritories

%igure $& Bilateral ,rade -et*een (.S. and )srael

%igure .& (.S. ,rade Deficit *ith )srael

%igure /& )srael and Part of 0urope at the 0dge of the Mediterranean Sea

%igure 1& )ndia's 2DP 2ro*th

%igure 3& )ndia's Stoc4 )nde5 6as +utperformed Chinese and (.S. Mar4ets

,a-le #& Structure of )ndian 2DP

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 4

A-stract

Put the paper's a-stract

write a concise summary of the key points of your research. (Do not indent.) Your abstract should contain at least your research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis, and conclusions. You may also include possible implications of your research and future work you see connected with your findings. Your abstract should be a single paragraph double-spaced. Your abstract should be between 1 ! and " ! words. You may also want to list keywords from your paper in your abstract. #o do this, indent as you would if you were starting a new paragraph, type Keywords: (italici$ed), and then list your keywords. %isting your keywords will help researchers find your work in databases.

)srael has five contrasting geopolitical imaginations7 #. 2eographically it is located in the Middle 0ast ho*ever it feels disoriented in the region due to different acts of discrimination and condemnation that it is receiving from its neigh-oring countries7 !. )srael sees itself as a geographical e5tension of 0urope at the verge of the 0astern Mediterranean7 $. +ther states perceived )srael as the 8%ifty %irst State9 of the (nited States of America7 .. )srael is e5ecuting its 8ethnocentric version9 against the Palestinians7 and /. )srael has a geopolitical position of -eing at the center of the *orld.

Keywords: ? 2eopolitical imagination

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 5

INTRODUCTION

After long years of -eing neglected due its previous incorporation *ith the policies of :a;i 2ermany the notion of the importance of 2eopolitics in understanding the fast political changes in this cotemporary *orld had returned. ,his restoration and recovery of 2eopolitics led the politicians and scholars to critically analy;e the fast changing *orld map <:e*man #==>?. According to analysts the rapid changes in the conte5t of politics -et*een states are -rought a-out -y the phenomenon of 2lo-ali;ation. ,his present trend *hich greatly varies -et*een the relationships of states *as further utili;ed and initiated -y the notion of speed rooting from the improved technologies. Amplified mo-ili;ation due to the impacts of cy-erspace technology made the people from different states more connected thus giving an impression that the *orld is shrin4ing in si;e. )n this course of events states are starting to as4 of *hat is their contemporary position in the *orld system. ,his @uestion *as raised due to the fact that states are starting to reali;e that their o*n physical geographical location is inade@uate to aid their in@uiries. 6ence due to the increased connection the more important factor is the geopolitical imagination of a country *hich refer to its o*n picture of *here it suit into the international system and identically ho* other states in that similar system loo4s at it. According to John Agne*'s formal definition of the concept 2eopolitical )magination refers to the varied actions of states *hich are not only confined *ithin the idea that they need to compete over territories -ut in this contemporary *orld system states do certain actions -ecause it is ho* and *here it perceives itself and ho* other states assessed or vie* the latter's position. ,he geopolitical imagination of states greatly affects foreign policy. ,his concept can -e seen in every sovereign state *hich performs actions upon their perceived geopolitical imagination. ,*o of the -est areas to analy;e 2eopolitics in today's *orld are the countries of )srael and )ndia. ,he concept of geopolitical imagination in )srael is diverse having five different perceived situations *hich *ill -e enumerated and analy;ed in this paper. +ne of *hich is )srael's o*n perception of -eing a geographical e5tension of 0urope. Another case e5ample is the current geopolitical imagination of other states in relation to )ndia *herein *orld leaders see this country as the *orld's fastest gro*ing economy -y !"#. <Lu-in !"##?. Considering the emergence of issues in the countries of )srael and )ndia this paper *ill focus in these t*o states to fully understand the concept of geopolitical imagination. After the series of information and

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 6

testimonies this paper *ill try to present that despite the esta-lished geopolitical perception and imagination -y these t*o states and other states to*ards them *hat *ill -e the possi-le reasons that *ill ma4e these countries' o*n geopolitical imagination turn out to -e Aust momentaryB (sing different analysis from different geopolitics e5perts ) *ill try to Austify and rationali;e the presence of geopolitical imagination in the countries of )srael and )ndia and ho* these perceived ideas affected their foreign policies and relationship *ith other states. ,his paper also detailed the varied actions -y other states *hich *ill change the perceived ideas of these t*o countries thus ans*ering the target @uestion.

C !" D"!CRI#TION

+ne of the -est areas to o-serve and analy;e 2eopolitics in this contemporary *orld system is )srael. ,his is not only due to the reason that )srael's citi;ens struggle to determine their identity in a dominant post-Cionist society -ut also the state's struggle to 4no* its role in the *orld system. ,his country has five different and to some instances contrasting geopolitical imaginations. %irst geographically )srael is located in the Middle 0ast. As a common position other states *ould *ant to integrate itself *ith its neigh-ors and this can -e attained if they ma4e peace *ith them. But average )sraelis felt disoriented *ith the cultures -inding the region. ,his reaction of disorientation has rooted historically from the anti-)srael propaganda from certain Muslim countries *ho happened to -e the country's neigh-ors. ,he perception of Muslim opposition to )srael is motivated -y the idea of anti-Cionism *hich is a *orld*ide Je*ish movement that resulted into the esta-lishment and development of the )sraeli state. As a result Je*s under Muslim rule faced systematic discrimination persecution and at times violence <Darsh !""1?. ,hese opinions -y the neigh-oring Muslim countries to*ards )srael even found their o*n reason to e5ecute such actions on the grounds of -elieving that the )sraeli people do have a different type of culture and therefore as *hat these neigh-oring states -elieve it is Austified to maltreat them. +n the other hand )srael also sees itself as the geographical e5tension of 0urope at the edge of the 0astern Mediterranean *here cultures religions and continents meet.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 7

,his perception of )srael regarding their geographical position *as not only due to the reason that the country *as created -y 0uropeans maintaining institutions and structures

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 8

*hich have transformed and evolved as a result of the 0uropean e5perience -ut also it *as -rought a-out -y the similarity of cultures of these t*o entities considering the connection of their geographical location at the verge of the 0astern Mediterranean. ,here has even -een a study *hich presented the strong lin4 and association of the )sraelis to the 0uropean culture. ,he latter found out that )sraelis *ould rather choose not to forfeit their mem-ership on the 0uropean Soccer Leagues *herein they have struggled so long to gain entry or even at the 0urovision Song Contest than pic4ing the e5change of it for their Middle 0astern e@uivalents <:e*man #==>?. ,hroughout history the relationship -et*een 0urope and )srael is comple5 tense and loaded. ,hough there are esta-lished gaps -et*een their perspectives many o-servers -elieve that their relationship is still present. ,he 0uropean-)sraeli relations in the areas of trade science culture and sports have evolved e5panded and has only -een partly affected -y the political divergence happening in each of the t*o regions. ,he relationship -et*een )srael and the 0uropean countries re@uires assessment from different angles. %rom the angle or aspect of territory and population 0urope and )srael are not compara-le entities considering that the latter is smaller in si;e and num-er of people partly surrounded -y mortal enemies *hile the 0uropean (nion consisting of several states *ith hundreds of millions of citi;ens. ,he other reason to loo4 at the relationship -et*een these t*o regions at different angles is the ongoing discriminatory criticism -y the 0uropean (nion and many of its mem-er states against )srael in recent years *hich appears to -e stemming primarily from 0urope's characteristics history and *orldvie* <2erstenfeld !""/?. ,hirdly is the appearance of )srael as the 8%ifty %irst State9 of the (nited States of America. ,his idea *as esta-lished -y the fact that )srael still continues to greatly depend on the American financial and political aid. ,his can -e seen in the current ne*s affairs of the country *herein the (nited States is strongly reaffirming its support to )srael against its neigh-oring Muslim countries. ,he )sraelis have also -ecome highly Americani;ed in their consuming orientations. Due to the proliferation of cy-erspace and ca-le television it has -een implicitly implied that the -orders of the state of )srael has not -een

considered as a hindrance in order for the American ideas to enter and -e adapted. ,he

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 9

latter situation can -e seen into the houses and homes of all )sraelis *hich has American touch into their every salon. ,his situation is not different to the impact of glo-ali;ation *hich is present every*here in the contemporary *orld ma4ing the (nited States the single largest superpo*er in every aspect achieved -y its military force. )mplicitly this is the -ona fide meaning of the glo-al village of *hich the )sraeli society has -ecome a mem-er. :e5t is the ethnocentric version of )srael against the Palestinians and ho* it is perceived -y these people fighting for international recognition. )n this situation )srael's perception does not rest *ithin its -orders. +ne *ould argue that it is a state *ithout -orders for its citi;ens are the *hole Je*ish community. )n this image a Je*ish family has more rights to -uy their o*n land in a certain place than a Palestinian family *ho have resided there uninterruptedly for years. ,he )sraelis have regarded these people *ithin their state as different *herein the latter's situation is the same *ith the perception of other Ara- countries to*ards )srael. Lastly there is an esta-lished notion of )srael's geopolitical position as -eing located at the very center of the *orld. ,his is not only -ased on the Judaism point-of-vie* -ut even the groups of Christianity and )slam vie* this country as an important part of the glo-e a place to *hich all eyes are turned. ,he activities of the neigh-oring states do not necessarily depend on the idea of it as the 86oly Land9 the 8Promised Land9 or the 8Jerusalem of A-ove9 -ut it is due to the fact that )srael remains to -e the center of *orld attention. ,he conflicts *ithin their country receive more media attention than any*here else in the *orld. Eeferring to media attention alone an o-server can articulate and -elieve that )srael is the *orld's only mega-state and not Aust a plain land territory *hich stretches a mere 3/ 4ilometers from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan Falley <:e*man #==>?. Another case e5ample is the current o-servation and assessment of other states to*ards )ndia. Despite the fact that a-out .!G of the *orld's poor lives in )ndia as recorded -y an information from the Horld Ban4 at present *orld leaders perceived this country as the *orld's fastest gro*ing economy -y !"#.. )n the same year it is also stated that up to !/G of the *orld's ne* *or4ers *ill -e )ndian. ,his is -rought a-out -y their gro*ing population *hich ran4s second in the *orld ran4ing of countries <C)A

!"#!?. )ts 2ross Domestic Product <2DP? per capita @uadrupled from !""3 and presuma-ly up to !"!". ,he country's technology capital Bangalore has no* more 2rade-A offices than Singapore. According to Eeuters property prices in Mum-ai and Delhi have @uadrupled in the past one year. Considering the importance of technology and the emergence of )nformation ,echnology <),? *or4ers and services half of the *orld's outsourced ), services come from )ndia *hich then amounts to a I.3 -illion dollar industry. Despite the issues of possi-le instant do*nturn of )ndia's economy due to a large percentage of contri-ution coming from Multinational Corporations <M:Cs? specifically from Hal-Mart it is undenia-le that -y maintaining the demand for the services of the latter it *as a-le to outsource I# -illion from ), contracts to )ndia. ,he country is also the *orld's second largest importer of arms and has spent I/" -illion on defense purchases alone in the last decade. )ts entertainment sector particularly in the aspects of movie production *as a-le to compete *ith America and Canada com-ined. )n the year !"#" it *as a-le to sold I$.! -illion movie tic4ets even -igger than the movie mar4et of the t*o previous countries. )n terms of the aspects of politics )ndia has /1> million more registered voters than the (.S. and according to reports7 it has a -etter turnout ratio. As an overall assessment of its economy it used to account for $$G of the *orld's 2DP and despite the decreased -y $G in its economic gro*th for the past years it may no* rise to !/G. According to 2oldman Sachs' future outloo4 for the country of )ndia it sees the country surpassing the (.S. economy in !"/" trailing only China <Lu-in !"##?. )n the )ndo-Pacific region the country *as also a-le to develop a good relationship *ith Australia. ,hese t*o countries have discussed matters a-out :uclear 0nergy and Eegional Cooperation continuing the sales of uranium from Australia to )ndia. ,his intensified cooperation and connection -et*een these t*o 4ey )ndo-Pacific States resulted into the amplification of the influence -y the (nited States to*ards the region in order for the latter to secure its po*er <Stratfor !"#!?.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 10

R"$I"% OF R"L T"D LIT"R TUR"

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 11

The Geopolitical Imagination and the "nframing of Development Theor& '& David !later( )**+ All the maAor changes in the developmental concepts in the realm of geopolitics too4 place in the post-*ar period. ,he theory of moderni;ation *hich started from the developing countries reflected the *ill of every state in attaining geopolitical po*er. ,his desire of every state *as -rought a-out -y their o*n respective geopolitical imagination *hich had varying effects on the enframing or covering of the meanings and relations of development among states. ,he esta-lished geopolitical imagination or perception of a State upon itself and other States to*ards the latter gives legitimi;ation or approval on their actions that is the series of needed or practical interventions to the perceived su-ordinate States or countries of the ,hird Horld. ,his idea *as supported -y related li-eral readings of development in the #=>"s that discussed a-out the rapidly changing geopolitical conditions. +ne of *hich is the connection -et*een 2eopolitics and the :orth-South relations *hich cannot -e separated from a series of geopolitical events such as the Cu-an Eevolution nor from the perceived need on the part of critical Latin American intellectuals to @uestion and challenge the importance of moderni;ation for the periphery. )n the course of events covering the disintegration of the Second Horld countries and the sudden disappearance of the 8Soviet ,hreat9 a ne* presence is threatening the Hest. 0merging unpredicta-le regimes and non-Hestern religions are starting to occupy the Hest's sphere of influence. Another factor are the moral @uestions raised -y 6osle <#==!? a-out the increasing gap -et*een the %irst and ,hird Horld countries especially the une@ual distri-ution of income *hich -ecame the central issue during the post-*ar period. Also due to this ne* trend of dominance scholars have lin4ed 8geopolitics9 to 8imperialism9 as a central feature of the contemporary glo-al po*er. +ne e5ample of *hich is an article *ritten -y Mohanty <#==!? referring to the (nited States of America as a geopolitical po*er during the #=="s seeing that the latter had dominated the space territory due to their advanced technology. ,hrough the series of

events a line has -een dra*n -et*een glo-al capitalism also 4no*n as the e5ploitation in economics and nation-state alliances *hich led to dominance in geopolitics.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 12

Several researchers' ideas had -een integrated into this article regarding the shift of attention of the *orld into the importance of geopolitical imagination among States. ,he definition of the concept made -y Slater is -ased on the grounds of John Agne*'s o*n e5planation of the idea. Considering the presence of other factors other than the competition over territories to ensure a State's influence *hich *as aided -y the phenomenon of glo-ali;ation the information in this article is inclined *ith the idea of Agne* that geopolitical imagination is the o*n perception of a State on *here it thin4s it fit in the *orld system and ho* other States perceived the resulting actions. )t has -een indicated that countries are attaining their perceived position in a ne* trend that is through developing and -oosting their economy improving their technological capa-ilities and settling the esta-lished opinions a-out the e5istence of su-ordinate States or poor countries. ,he latter had -een perceived as e5periencing ine@uality *hen it comes to economic distri-ution and political alliances. )t has -een internationally received that strong states *ill incorporate themselves to another strong state to create a -alance thus avoiding each other from attaining the pea4 of geopolitical dominance.

Geopolitics and the !tud& of International Relations Geopolitical Imagination, The Importance of -aps '& !emra Rana Go.men( /0)0 2eopolitics -ecame possi-le *hen seeing the *hole *orld -ecame via-le. ,hus from this statement the field of geopolitics largely relied on geography. +n the other hand Agne* suggests that 8the history of modern *orld politics has -een structured -y practices -ased on a set of understandings a-out the *ay the *orld *or4s that together constitute the elements of the modern 8geopolitical imagination9. ,hough the players *hich are the States and the po*er -alances -et*een them have changed the modern geopolitical imagination still remains dominant in framing or creating the conduct of foreign policies of every State in this current *orld politics. )t focuses on the glo-al

visuali;ation *hich -ecame possi-le *ith the development of modern maps. All special

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 13

and grand strategies depend on *orld maps7 therefore the map is the main source of a State's -asic assumption. But David Stephens *riter of the article 8Ma4ing Sense of Maps9 and is also a cartographer la-eled maps as not a commonplace and it needs to -e @uestioned. 6e proposed that if *e are to study geopolitics and international relations it is necessary to have a closer loo4 at maps and the assumptions -uilt upon them for these can affect international politics and in conceptuali;ing decisions. ,hus if *e are to study the relations of States *e need to 4no* ho* to read 8their9 maps. Modern maps of certain States cater not the literal land location of a State hence the position of -eing in the :orth or up South or do*n 0ast or right and Hest or left of the glo-e is not important -ut it is the 8orientation9 e5ecuted and decided upon -y its people. Stuart McArthur's 8(niversal Corrective Map9 is an important e5ample for this situation. 6e generated an 8upside-do*n9 map version of the *orld putting Australia his homeland at the top. )n the past religion has also played a significant role in map orientations. 0arly cartographers often placed Jerusalem at the center of their maps due to the notion of it -eing a 6oly Land. +n the other hand )slamic maps has -een oriented at the south to Mecca thus in their maps south *as sho*n at the top of the *orld.

Figure 1: McArthurs Universal Corrective Map

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 14

Source: McArthur S. <!""1?. McArthurs Universal Corrective Map. +D, Maps. Eetrieved :ovem-er !> !"#! from http&JJodtmaps.comJdetail.aspKLKproductKidK0KMcA-!$5$/ Maps are also incorporated *ith po*er. 2erman cartographers presented an e5ample of the use of map for their o*n propaganda of territorial e5pansion. 2eopolitical )magination has -een an invisi-le force that guided mainstream international decisions.

The "migration !tate and the -odern Geopolitical Imagination '& lan Gamlen( /001 ,his article presented ho* a large num-er of states relate to their diasporas or the dispersion of people from their respective homelands. )t sho*s ho* States constitute different e5tra-territorial groups as part of their original group through a set of diverse institutions and practices. )t presented t*o types of diaspora mechanism& the first recogni;e their community of origin and the other *hich puts the people into a deep connection from *here they came from. )t is normal for States to have such mechanisms

traversing -eyond their -orders and affecting certain other groups. )t is proposed that it is

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 15

more valid to vie* these institutions and practices collectively as 8the emigration state9. ,his article argues that the emigration state has -een ignored -y *hat John Agne*'s modern geopolitical imagination is proposing *herein territorial nation-state units are loc4ed into an international competition and are thought to -e the highest form of political organi;ation. ,ransferring from a state into another has -een a ne* trend of strategy to create an influence *ithin a sphere. A 4ey factor in this tactic is the population of a State. 6aving a large population re@uires e5tra land masses to cater the needs of its citi;ens' respective families. ,his necessity can -e supported -y the idea of emigration into other States. ,his large group of people can have a large impact into their respective host countries. ,hey can serve as part of the host country's largest percentage of *or4 force thus diverting large amounts of international income to their countries of origin. ,his article is inclined *ith the purpose of studying geopolitical imagination and its connection *ith the concept of emigration *herein one of the case e5amples is the country of )ndia. Certain information and factors a-out their possi-le dominance in the *orld system *as affected -y the fact regarding the country's diaspora of citi;ens rooting from its large and increasing population.

Theori2ing Religious Nationalism, The Case of merican Christian 3ionist National llegiance to Israel '& Tristan !turm( /0)0 ,his article contri-uted recent literature on theories under the field of sociology and anthropology in discussing the topics relating religion and nationalism. 05plicit and *ell-4no*n e5amples of these functional instrumental and facilitative uses of religion are currently applied in ,ur4ey (4raine Eussia and the (nited States among many others. Such a tally is clearly not e5haustive of the *ays religion and nationalism is fused -ut it is this ta5onomy that illustrates the American Christian Cionist case study for this article. Christian Cionists in -rief are made up of socially conservative evangelicals and Pentecostals *ho -elieve the *ars in the Middle 0ast threatens an imminent 80nd

,imes9 scenario *hich *ill -e centered in the modern state of )srael *here a clash

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 16

-et*een Satan's Eussian and Ara- led armies meet those Hesterners *ho are nonChristian -ut nevertheless serve Christ's army. As John Agne* notes 8much nationalism and imperialism have found purpose and Austification in religious difference and in proselyti;ing.9 :ationalism is comprised of many sentiments of devotion -ut territory and a geopolitical imagination of it is a 4ey especially in contrast to common enemies and neigh-oring territories. Because of the nationalist identification of 8internal9 and 8e5ternal9 8our nation9 and 8their nation9 Agne* argues that these -inaries ma4e nationalism the most territorial of all maAor ideologies among socialism li-eralism and nationalism. 6er- and Daplan argue that 8territory -ecomes a vital constituent of the definition and identification of the group living *ithin it9 <6er- M Daplan #==>7 Sturm !"#"?. ,he -elief of the maAority of Christian Americans coincided *ith )srael's sentiments and the esta-lished -elief to*ards them from the international community. )t has -een presented that alliances -et*een States are also affected -y 8religious nationalism9 among their respective citi;ens. Different ideologies can result to conflict *ithin a region that is the Middle 0astern countries having a sensitive )slam faith surrounding )srael. ,he latter finds refuge to a large country having the same political and religious ideology and this can -e seen in the presence of the (nited States of America seeing )srael as a tight ally and supporting it through its esta-lished principles.

The #attern and Causes of "conomic Gro4th in India '& 5aushi. 'asu and nemie -aertens( /006 Horld leaders have perceived )ndia as one of the fastest gro*ing economies -y !"#.. ,his article has presented the -road parameters of the )ndian economy's gro*th since its independence. Certain evaluations a-out *here the country is positioned *ere also presented supported -y a series of statistics. ,he components of the )ndian gro*th *hich greatly rely on technological services and the relative importance of different policies in the #=>"s and #=="s *ere also o-tained. ,he country's savings rate *as also largely affected -y the gro*th and development it has attained for the recent years. +n

the other hand the nature of their la-or mar4et *as evaluated -y analysts as effective due to its large rate.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 17

,he country *as perceived as a large -as4et of Multinational Corporations <M:Cs? due to the economy's high dependence in Hal-Mart. +-servers also perceived that a large possi-ility of an economic -rea4do*n is possi-le due to the principle of nonpermanency of these M:Cs *ithin the country especially if the latter has faced lo* demands from the people for their services. ,he emigration of its population is in connection *ith the series of diasporas presented in the previous research. ,hese series of migration can result into the esta-lishment of )ndian domination in each of their host States especially in the latter's *or4 force. ,he pattern of their economic gro*th has -een cyclic since the outpour of their local citi;ens into other States -rings -ac4 an increase in the national income of the country. ,he inclination of this Aournal to the conducted study is present especially its allocated focus centering on the emergence of )ndia as an economically developed State *hich may surpassed the economic capa-ilities of the (nited States of America and other economically sta-le countries.

DI!CU!!ION

,hroughout history the primary strategy to ac@uire po*er geopolitically is through the idea of con@uest. Competing over territories served to -e the grounds of each state in ma4ing decisions regarding the invasion and intervention upon other states. %or the past recent years 2eopolitics is -ac4 and in a -ig *ay. )n this revival of the use of the field of geopolitics it *as accompanied -y a series of rapid changes in the *orld system *hich *as -rought a-out -y the phenomenon of 2lo-ali;ation. ,he latter had changed the phase of speed reaching and covering the -orders of states thus providing an avenue for the deeper connection of their respective groups of people. Due to this amplified connection states -egan to as4 if *here it no* fits itself in the *orld system and of ho* other states perceive this current position of the country in the map. )n this course of

changes and diversions the physical geographical location of a state is not enough to articulate *hether a country is internationally active centered or desta-ili;ed. ,oday the most important thing to consider is the geopolitical imagination of a state.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 18

Israel7s Contrasting Geopolitical Imaginations +ne of the countries that receive more media attention than any*here else in the *orld is the country of )srael. )t has -een perceived to -e lying at the center of the glo-e7 hence its internal conflicts receive more media attention. ,here have -een reports and studies a-out a possi-le *ar *ithin the region of the Middle 0ast. ,his is due to the antiCionist values of its neigh-oring Muslim countries causing conflict and unrest in the region. ,he hatred *as further amplified due to )srael's independence and occupation of certain territories that *ere formerly o*ned -y its neigh-oring Muslim countries. ,here has even -een an independent perception of the country of )ran *hich -elieves that )srael must -e 8*iped-off9 the map. ,his conflict *as further e5acer-ated -y the internal Palestinians residing Aust *ithin its -orders -eing Figure : Map o! "srael Showing the #ccupied $alestinian and Syrian %erritories

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 19

stance that the )sraelis do have a religion. ,he latter

different type of prevailing culture and in the Muslim countries' perception must -e eradicated *ithin the Middle 0astern map to counteract the country's sphere of influence *ithin the region. Last :ovem-er !"#! there *as a resumption in the conflict -et*een the )sraelis and Palestinians though condemned -y the international community the attac4s made -y )srael against the Palestinian people in the 2a;a Strip seemed to -e Austified -y the (.S' -ac4ing *hich is a superpo*er. +n the other hand the country of )ran seeing that inclined *ith the -elief of the neigh-oring countries *hich has a

Source: "srael Ministry o! Foreign A!!airs& ''(. the Palestinians are -eing restricted to their right of self-determination had decided to e5tend its financial and political aid to the 6amas group considering them as a political nation *hich *as conversely perceived -y )srael and the (nited States as a terrorist group. ,hese different ideas had greatly affected the foreign policy of each state thus affecting its people. ,hrough these struggles of the )sraelis the (nited States of America has al*ays -een present in supporting the country against its mortal enemies. ,here has -een an e5change of arms political ideas aid and investments -et*een the t*o countries to secure the dominant State's influence over )srael seeing that the latter possesses a huge sphere of influence *ithin the region. Due to this occurrence the country had -een

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 20

la-eled as the 8%ifty %irst State9 of the (.S. )srael *as the !. th largest e5porter as *ell as the !$rd largest importer of the (.S. in !"##. )srael's top e5port categories *ere precious stones <diamonds? electrical machinery and medical instruments. American foreign direct investments in the country primarily concentrate in the manufacturing sector. )n vie* of this (.S. goods e5perience a trade deficit *ith )srael amounting to a-out I=.# -illion in !"## a 1..G decrease from I1#3 -illion over !"#" <(.S. ,rade Eepresentative !"#$?.

Figure ): *ilateral %rade +etween U.S. and "srael

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 21

Source: "srael ,-port "nstitute Source: "nstitute !or /esearch: Middle ,astern $olicy Figure (: U.S. %rade .e!icit with "srael Another geopolitical imagination of )srael is its perceived position of -eing an e5tension of 0urope *hich *as -rought a-out -y the disorientation of the )sraelis in the Middle 0astern region. At the edge of the Mediterranean culture religion and tradition meet hence opening a connection -et*een the peoples of these t*o regions. Figure 0: "srael and $art o! ,urope at the ,dge o! the Mediterranean Sea

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 22

Source: 1eil+runn %i2eline o! Art 1istory 6o*ever *hat hinders this geopolitical imagination of )srael is the negative reaction of the 0uropeans to*ards them. ,hroughout history the treatment of the 0uropean populace to*ards the )sraelis has -een discriminatory. +ne e5ample of *hich can -e seen in historical records that is the ethnic cleansing of the Je*s -y the 2ermans *hich sa* themselves as the Aryans or the supreme race. 6o*ever despite these reactions the )sraelis *ould still choose to strengthen their 0uropean connections through sports and tradition rather than esta-lishing a -ridge -et*een its Middle 0astern neigh-ors <:e*man #==>?. )n this situation it can -e seen that the orientation of a state's citi;ens as according to the study conducted -y 2o4men seems to -e more important than its local and physical regional location thus affecting its relations *ith other states.

Geopolitical #ossibilities, India( the Ne8t "conomic !uperpo4er9 ,oday the conte5t of multi-polarity among the po*ers of states can -e seen. )n recent history it has only -een the (nited States *hich ac@uired the position as the only

economic superpo*er -ut in this fast changing *orld system this position can -e seen in different states having a consistent development upon its capa-ilities. A -est e5ample

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 23

*ould -e the country of )ndia. Horld leaders have perceived this country as one of the *orld's fastest gro*ing economy -y !"#.. ,his is due to its large *or4 force *herein it is also perceived that !/G of the *orld's ne* *or4ers *ill -e )ndian in the same identified year. %rom !""3 and presuma-ly -y !"!" the 2DP per capita of the country had @uadrupled. Figure 3: "ndias 4.$ 4rowth

Source: C,"C& ,F"C %a+le 1: Structure o! "ndian 4.$

Source: Ministry o! Finance& "ndia

,his is -rought a-out -y the country's advancements in technology specifically in its technology capital Bangalore *hich no* has more 2rade-A offices compared to Singapore. )t is also considered as the *orld's largest importer of arms <Lu-in !"##?. +n

the category of importing precious metals )ndia is considered to -e the largest importer of gold and silver. ,he Minerals and Metals ,rading Corporation <MM,C? a government-o*ned company is the country's largest importer of gold *hich is also dealing *ith agro-commodities and in the production of fertili;ers. +n the other hand in vie* of the country's large import rate in gold )ndia's %inance Minister Prana-

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 24

Mu4herAee articulated that the /"G increase in imports of gold and other precious metals has -een one of the pro5imate causes of the current account deficit. ,herefore the government revealed in its !"#!-!"#$ -udget that the country *ill increase its import duty and ta5es in gold <Bad4ar !"#!?. )t can -e perceived that the future demand of the country's citi;ens for gold *ill decrease and it no* seems that China is more li4ely to ta4e over )ndia's position as the *orld's -iggest gold mar4et. Figure 5: "ndias Stoc6 "nde- 1as #utper!or2ed Chinese and U.S. Mar6ets

Source: *loo2+erg& U.S. 4lo+al /esearch %rom an economic improvement recorded -y )ndia's stoc4 mar4et Bom-ay 05change Sensitive )nde5 <S0:S0N? *hich surpassed Chinese and American mar4ets

the country also faced severe economic do*nfalls and a possi-le political collapse last !"## *hich led the government into a huge economic decision to finally open its retail sector to glo-al -ehemoths li4e Hal-Mart and )4ea last Septem-er !"#! <6arris !"#!?.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 25

Hal-Mart is an American multinational retail company that centers on chains of department stores and *arehouse stores that offers lo* prices. ,his corporation led to the inflo* of multiple foreign direct investments <%D)? opportunities into the country thus creating more employed citi;ens. 6o*ever according to Prava4ar Sahoo an Associate Professor at the )nstitute of 0conomic 2ro*th <)02? the government's politically sensitive decision to allo* %D) from foreign corporations spar4ed commotion among the right-*ing political parties and left-*ing Communist parties due to the inappropriate timing of the decision especially that the opposition is challenging the administration over the issues of corruption continuous high prices 8-lac49 money and lac4 of policy formulation on important reforms. 6e also mentioned a-out the initial impact of multi-rand retailers entering the country's mar4et *hich is e5pected to have a negative impact on a-out #! million unorgani;ed shops as they lac4 the capa-ility to challenge prominent retailers in terms of variety @uality and other factors <Luthra !"#!?. ,he government also seems to -e automatically turning its head on Hal-Mart in times of deficiencies in supplies thus forgetting to find alternatives. According to critics 8poverty9 is the main contri-ution of Hal-Mart *herever it operates Aust li4e in )ndia. ,he )ndian economy is partly relying on Hal-Mart's presence ho*ever one can articulate that a possi-le do*nfall of this mar4et's demand from the people might cause a reciprocating impact to*ards the )ndian mar4et thus hampering its gro*th. ,his country has also made steps to esta-lish an influence in the )ndo-Pacific region and one of *hich is the reaffirmation of its relationship *ith other economically sta-le countries in the region. Last +cto-er #3 !"#! the Prime Ministers of )ndia and Australia had a meeting after the latter's state visit *herein they have discussed matters regarding :uclear 0nergy and Eegional Cooperation this has also resulted into the resumption of Australia's sales of uranium to )ndia. As a result of the intensified cooperation -et*een these t*o 4ey )ndo-Pacific states countries from the Hest

particularly the (.S. has perceived this as a threat to its hegemony therefore it has also e5ecute steps to contain )ndia's influence over the region <Stratfor !"#!?.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 26

CONCLU!ION

,he revival of political geography -rought for*ard the revival of geopolitics. ,his utili;ation of geopolitics is more of a practice and perceptions among states *hich can -e seen through their geopolitical imagination *hich *as formally defined -y John Agne*. )n history competition over territory has -een the -asis of geopolitical po*er. But due to the rapid changes -rought a-out -y glo-ali;ation and improved technology the trend for geopolitical po*er has also changed. ,he foreign policy of a state is not only defined -y its physical geographical location -ut also it is more defined -y its o*n perception of itself on its position in the current *orld system. ,he notion of 8modern maps9 is no* in used every state has currently preferred maps *herein they are the center of the plot and the other states are defined on ho* they see or assessed each other. ,his assessment or perceptions are -ounded *ithin categories *here a state feels oriented that ma4es it a part of a certain group or region *hich is originally not its real faction7 categories of identical culture religion politics and economy. ,he notion of geopolitical imagination as a concept of geopolitics is important in studying international relations. ,he perceived assumptions of states upon themselves and to other countries define their foreign policies. ,hese perceptions are not permanent and these can change over the course of events especially that it is -ounded under the principle of glo-ali;ation7 therefore the current assumptions of states to*ards )srael and )ndia as *ell as their o*n perceptions headed for themselves may still change and vary.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 27

R"F"R"NC"!

Bad4ar M. <!"#!?. %he 7orlds 8argest 4old "2porter 7ants to Sla2 on the *ra6es. Business )nsider. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJarticles.-usinessinsider.comJ!"#!-"$-#1Jmar4etsJ$##==./$K#Kdemand-forgold-Ae*elry-import-duty-india

Basu D. M Maertens A. <!""3?. %he $attern and Causes o! ,cono2ic 4rowth in "ndia. OPD% %ileP. +5ford Eevie* of 0conomic Policy. Eetrieved :ovem-er !> !"#! from http&JJo5rep.o5fordAournals.orgJcontentJ!$J!J#.$.short

C)A. <!"#!?. Country Co2parison: $opulation. ,he Horld %act-oo4. Eetrieved :ovem-er $" !"#! from https&JJ***.cia.govJli-raryJpu-licationsJthe-*orldfact-oo4Jran4orderJ!##=ran4.html

Cora +. <!"#$?. (.S. Accounts for Luarter of )sraelQs 05ports *ith 3G )ncrease 05pected this Rear. 6aaret;. Eetrieved May > !"#$ from http&JJ***.haaret;.comJ-usinessJu-s-accounts-for-@uarter-of-israel-s-e5ports-*ith3-increase-e5pected-this-year.premium-#./#">=. Dittmer J. M Sturm ,. <0ds.? Mapping the ,nd %i2es: A2erican ,vangelical 4eopolitics and Apocalyptic 9isions. (D& %arnham Ashgate. pp. #$$-#/.

0%)C 05port %inance M )nsurance Corporation. <!"#!?. Country $ro!ile: "ndia. +vercoming %inancial Barriers for 05porters. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJ***.efic.gov.auJcountryJcountryprofilesJPagesJindia.asp5

2amlen A. <!"">?. %he ,2igration State and the Modern 4eopolitical "2agination. Political 2eography. OPD% %ileP. Eetrieved :ovem-er !> !"#! from http&JJ***.sciencedirect.comJscienceJarticleJpiiJS"=1!1!=>">""#""/

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 28

2erstenfeld M. <!""/?. "srael and ,urope: An ,-panding A+yss?. Eetrieved :ovem-er $" !"#! from http&JJ***.Acpa.orgJisrael-europeJier-gerstenfeld-"/.htm

2o4men S. <!"#"?. 4eopolitics and the Study o! "nternational /elations. OPD% %ileP. Eetrieved :ovem-er !> !"#! from https&JJetd.li-.metu.edu.trJuploadJ#!1#!!>=Jinde5.pdf

6arris 2. <!"#!?. "ndia *ac6s Foreign "nvest2ent in /etailing. ,he :e* Ror4 ,imes. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJ***.nytimes.comJ!"#!J"=J#/J-usinessJglo-alJindia--ac4s-foreigninvestment-in-retail-sector.html

6eil-runn ,imeline of Art 6istory. <!"#$?. %he ,astern Mediterranean. ,he Metropolitan Museum of Art. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJ***.metmuseum.orgJtoahJhtJB periodS".MregionS*ae

6er- 2.6. M Daplan D. 6. <0ds.? <#==>?. :ested "dentities: :ationalis2& %erritory& and Scale. Lanham& Eo*man and Littlefield.

6olmes %. <!"#"?. "ndia: 8and o! 1ope and ,cono2ic 4rowth. ,he Mar4et +racle. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJ***.mar4etoracle.co.u4JArticle!.1$=.html

)nstitute for Eesearch& Middle 0astern Policy. <!"#!?. :ational Su22it to /eassess the US;"srael <Special /elationship=. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJ***.irmep.orgJuiftaJmythsJdefault.htm

)srael Ministry of %oreign Affairs. <!"".?. Modern "srael. Eetrieved May > !"#$ from http&JJ***.mfa.gov.ilJmfaJa-outisraelJmapsJpagesJmodernG!"israelG!"-*ithin G!"-oundariesG!"andG!"cease-fireG!"li.asp5

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 29

Jha 2. <!"#"?. Can "ndia Achieve .ou+le .igit 4.$ 4rowth /ate? ,) Corridors. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJticorridors.comJ)ndia-(SJ0conomyJCan-)ndiaachieve-dou-le-digit-2DP-gro*th-rate.html Darsh 0. <!""1?. %he 8ong %rail o! "sla2ic Anti;Se2itis2. OPD% %ileP. Eetrieved :ovem-er $" !"#! from https&JJ***.4cl.ac.u4JartshumsJdeptsJmemsJpeopleJstaffJacademicJ4arshJarticlesJ,h eLong,railof)slamicAnti-Semitism#.pdf Lu-in 2. <!"##?. 10 Facts A+out "ndia %hat 7ill *low >our Mind. Business )nsider. Eetrieved +cto-er !1 !"#! from http&JJ***.-usinessinsider.comJama;ing-factsa-out-india-!"#"-#!BopS#

Luthra S. <!"#!?. .eter2ining "ndias ,cono2ic %ra?ectory: %he /ole o! Foreign .irect "nvest2ent. ,he :ational Bureau of Asian Eesearch. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJn-r.orgJresearchJactivity.asp5BidS!".T.(R!ARDLvu2M

McArthur S. <!""1?. McArthurs Universal Corrective Map. +D, Maps. Eetrieved :ovem-er !> !"#! from http&JJodtmaps.comJdetail.aspKLKproductKidK0KMcA!$5$/ :e*man D. <#==>?. %he 4eopolitical "2agination. Jerusalem Post. Eetrieved +cto-er !1 !"#! from http&JJ***.dur.ac.u4JresourcesJi-ruJpu-licationsJfullJ-s-1#K-orderlines.pdf Slater D. <#==$?. %he 4eopolitical "2agination and the ,n!ra2ing o! .evelop2ent %heory. OPD% %ileP. Eetrieved :ovem-er !> !"#! from http&JJ***.Astor.orgJdiscoverJ#".!$"3J1!!//=B uidS$3$>>!.MuidS!MuidS.MsidS!##"#..!>>.$/#

Stratfor. <!"#!?. :uclear ,nergy and /egional Cooperation. Eetrieved +cto-er !1 !"#!

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF GEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION 30

from http&JJ***.stratfor.comJsearchJsiteJindiaG!3sG!"percentG!"glo-alG!"prime

Sturm ,. <!"#"?. "2agining Apocalyptic 4eopolitics: A2erican ,vangelical Citationality o! ,vil. (D& %arnham Ashgate. pp. #$1-#.# (.S. ,rade Eepresentative. <!"#$?. U.S.;"srael %rade Facts. Eetrieved May = !"#$ from http&JJ***.ustr.govJcountries-regionsJeurope-middle-eastJmiddle-eastJnorthafricaJisrael