UNIVERSAL THEORY OF GEOPOLITICS
by: Zaedun, S.sos
1. Geopolitics as a Science.
Based on historical data, the beginnings of geopolitics began in prehistoric times. Several thinkers, such as Herodotus, Plato, and Aristotle, discussed geopolitical issues, although they did not yet develop specific theories or perspectives. With the development of science and technology, the formulation of geopolitics began to be closely examined when Frederich Ratzel (1844-1904) formulated the concept in his book, Anthropo-Geography. Space Theory which essentially states that "a highly cultured nation will require high human resources and ultimately push out the territory of primitive nations." This opinion was emphasized by Rudolf Kjellen (1864-1922) with Theory of Power which states that "a state is a comprehensive political entity as well as a biological unit that possesses intellectuality." From these two opinions, there is an important substance, namely about geography and politics, which in its development is accepted as a study of the differences and similarities of areas and interconnected political characters. As part of geography, political geography examines the relationship between humans and the earth and addresses aspects of the physical sciences. Geography is used as a justification for political goals and views the state from a spatial perspective. Political geography is a science that places geography as a justification for a policy ( ) in realizing political goals and trying to find the relationship between geographical constellations and the distribution of power ( ), authority (right) and responsibility (responsibility).
Geographical Politics Geopolitics is also defined as the considerations in determining alternative national basic policies to achieve certain goals. In its implementation, geopolitics is the implementation policy in determining the goals, means, and how to use these means to achieve national goals by utilizing the geographical constellation of a country using Geostrategy. Every nation, if it wants to continue to exist, must be able to utilize its geographical constellation optimally to achieve its national interests in order to achieve national goals. Therefore, the geographical constellation must be one of the important considerations in formulating national politics and strategies of a nation in order to achieve national goals. There are two understandings that explain how much influence the geographical constellation factor plays in formulating national politics and national strategies, namely:
a. Determinism, which states that geographical elements are absolute and determine a country's national politics and states that geopolitics and geostrategy are doctrines of a country's power on earth.
b. The Possibilism school views geographical elements as only one element, alongside other elements in a country that influence the process of determining national politics and national strategy.
Based on the definitions above, geopolitics can be further simplified as a study that examines issues of geography, history, and social sciences, with reference to international politics. Geopolitics examines the strategic and political significance of a geographic region, including its location, size, and natural resources. Geopolitics has four elements: geography, politics and strategy, the reciprocal relationship between geography and politics, and the element of policy.
2. Living Space Theory.
Several geopolitical and geostrategic theories have significantly influenced a country's archipelagic outlook. These theories include:
a. Spatial Theory and Power Theory. This theory is based on or oriented towards determinism, where several figures who put forward this theory believe that a country's geographic location can determine its life, whether politically (power), economically, culturally, or technologically. This theory tends more towards a political struggle for power and expansionism.
b. Insight Theory. Geopolitics and geostrategy are sciences that justify the development of a nation's power over the world in order to maintain its existence and gain greater and broader space. Therefore, the assessment emerged that the world's geographical conditions are the basis or one of the main factors in determining national and state politics. Based on this thinking, the insight theory emerged. Based on its territory, this insight theory can be divided into three regions: (a) the axis region or heartland region. (Heart Rimland), (b) The inner crescent region (Inner Rimland), and (c) Outer crescent region (Outer Rimland), while the theories on this insight are:
1) Continental Insight Theory. The theory is that "whoever can control the heartland, namely Europe and Asia, will be able to control the world's islands, and then control the world."
2) Maritime Insight Theory. The theory is "who controls the seas, will control trade, whoever controls trade will control world wealth and ultimately will be able to rule the world".
3) Aerospace Insight Theory. The theory states that "air power has a reliable deterrent against threats and can cripple the enemy's strength by destroying it on its own turf." The background to this theory is the advancement of industry, particularly in the aviation sector.
4) Combination Insight Theory. Nicholas J. Spykman issued a theory of border areas or combined insight, namely combining land, sea and air forces based on the fact that its implementation can be adjusted to the needs and conditions of a country.
Based on the theories put forward by experts such as Frederich Ratzel, Rudolf Kjellen, Sir Halford Mackinder, Karl Haushofer and Nicholas J. Spykman, the essence of Geopolitical theory can be formulated, namely that a country as an organism can grow and develop in an effort to maintain its life.
3. Concept of Living Space Control.
According to Sir Walter Raleigh who formulated Maritime Power Theory In world domination, it is recommended to control the oceans and establish colonies throughout the world, while Alfred Thayer Mahan recommends controlling sea routes throughout the world. William Michell formulated this. Air Power Theory advocated the use of air power capable of operating to the enemy's rear and the final victory was determined by air power, then Alexander P. de Seversky advocated world domination by using intercontinental weapons.
GEOPOLITICAL VIEWS OF INDONESIA
4. Welfare Review.
The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is a national insight of Indonesia which has its own identity (national identity) and experience history which excels and is recognized as the center of world civilization. This identity always prioritizes unity, a spirit of mutual cooperation and a love of peace, and creates harmony with the surrounding environment. Regarding independence The achievements of the Indonesian people were a heroic struggle grounded in a very strong spirit of unity. Therefore, this spirit must be maintained to safeguard national unity and the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia (Sunardi, RM 2004: 179-180).
5. Cultural Review.
The Indonesian nation consists of various ethnic groups, each of which has its own customs, language, religion, and trust, so that the national life order is formed on the basis of strong interactions and bonds of individuals, groups and communities as well as high emotional ties. All of this potential and cultural wealth on the one hand is a positive force, but on the other hand contains negative vulnerabilities because it can give rise to conflict due to several problems, namely competition for livelihoods, the imposition of cultural values of one community on another, religious fanaticism, politicized ethnic issues and tribal wars. In this regard, a shared commitment is needed in order to accept diversity as a reality of community life within the framework of the Archipelago Insight.
6. Philosophical Review.
Pancasila as the foundation of the state, outlook on life, and national ideals contains the universal values of the Indonesian independence struggle. Based on this philosophical background, the application of national insight needs to pay attention to the values of the implementation. Human rights (HAM), prioritizing the interests of society rather than individuals and groups, and making decisions based on deliberation for consensus.
7. Regional Review.
The objective conditions of the geography of the archipelago are Natural resources (Natural Resources) must be empowered harmoniously by utilizing human resources to meet their needs in a harmonious, balanced, and balanced manner. The utilization of this living space should be in accordance with the demands of the natural geographical constellation so that nature can be maintained and preserved in the future. With this empowerment pattern, natural resources on land, sea, and in the air can be maintained and utilized optimally for the benefit of the Indonesian people.
8. Geopolitical Developments in Indonesia.
Power politics is one of the dominant factors in Geopolitics, this is possible because the dynamics of the state organism in meeting the needs of its people and in realizing the goals and ideals of the nation are always based on political and/or economic power, political and/or military power as well as political, economic and military power in parallel. In order to realize national interests, a power that takes into account geographical and political space is needed, with sufficient room for movement, so that economic democratization is built throughout the country. With this pattern, building state and national security through efforts to increase and strengthen national resilience is a strategic Geopolitical step.
REFERENCES
Alfandi, Widoyo, 2002, “Indonesian Reformation: A Discussion from the Perspective of Political Geography and Geopolitics”, Yogyakarta: Gajah Mada University.
Hidayat, I. Mardiyono, 1983, “Geopolitics, Political Theory and Strategy in Relation to Humans, Space and Natural Resources”, Surabaya: National Enterprise.
Harsawaskita, A., 2007,”Great Power Politics in Central Asia: A Geopolitical Perspective, in Transformations in the Study of International Relations”, Bandung: Graha Ilmu. Pages 17-19.
Srijanti, Rahman, A., KS, Purwanto, 2006,”Citizenship Ethics”, Jakarta: Salemba Empat. Pages 137-139.
Sumarsono, S, et.al., 2001,”Civic education", Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama. Pages 12-17.
Sunardi, RM 2004,”"Developing National Resilience in the Framework of Strengthening the Integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia", Jakarta: Kuatemita Adidarma.
Suradinata, Ermaya, 1997, “Geopolitical Paradigm”, Jakarta: National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia.
Suradinata, Ermaya, 2005, “Basic Laws of Geopolitics and Geostrategy within the Framework of the Integrity of the Republic of Indonesia”, Jakarta: Suara Bebas.
Source of law:
Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution after the Amendment
Internet Source:
[available online] http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geopolitik_di_Indonesia (March 31, 2012)
