Politics Archives

International Trade Geography: Why Trade Routes Matter

Why do Latin American countries struggle to grow and connect with each other? Why do superpowers want close relations with Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia? According to Tim Marshall in Prisoners of Geography, the answer to these questions lies in geography, specifically the geography related to trade routes. He explains how trade routes shape development and why nations compete to secure these routes. Read more to learn the basics of international trade geography with some examples to illustrate the ideas.

The Geography of Energy: How Nations Compete for Fuel

What was behind Imperial Japan’s ambitions? Why are some European nations reluctant to oppose Russia? Journalist Tim Marshall explains how geography shapes how nations interact with one another in his book Prisoners of Geography. He shows how, based on its geography, a nation might need to focus on securing energy resources. Read on to learn about the fascinating geography of energy.

Geography and Climate Change: New Trade Routes & New Fears

How does global warming impact geopolitics? Why are new trade routes both a blessing and a curse? Climate change impacts geography. In turn, geography impacts politics and economics. Tim Marshall discusses this fascinating and important link in his book Prisoners of Geography. Keep reading to understand the connection between geography and climate change.

Examples of Geopolitics: Geography Shapes the World Stage

Why does China seek out Africa’s resources? Why have India and Pakistan wanted control of Kashmir? Why has Korea been colonized and invaded so often? Geography shapes the way that nations interact with each other. Tim Marshall explains that, on the international stage, nations use trade, diplomacy, and military force as they vie for access to geographical bounties—troves of resources, trade routes, and defensive features. Read on to find several examples of geopolitics from Prisoners of Geography.

Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall: Overview & Takeaways

Why are the economies of Northern Europe stronger than those of Southern Europe? How does global warming impact trade routes? How is Tibet geopolitically important? Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall is about how geography shapes the development and politics of nations. Marshall’s aim is to help readers gain a deeper understanding of global politics and conflicts by detailing their geographical underpinnings. Continue reading for an overview of this eye-opening book.

The Pros and Cons of Pay Transparency

What’s behind the growing trend of US states passing pay transparency legislation? Are the laws working as intended? What’s the future of pay transparency? A growing number of US states are implementing pay transparency laws, which require employers to list salary ranges on job postings. Though the laws have led to some improvements for workers and employers, they’ve also created some unintended, undesirable consequences. Below we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of pay transparency.

The Importance of Human Geography: How It Shapes Nations

How do Russian minorities in European nations influence geopolitics? How have the borders of African nations affected people? In Prisoners of Geography, Tim Marshall highlights the importance of human geography, showing how it shapes nations. Furthermore, he illustrates how borders that don’t take geography into account usually lead to internal conflicts. Keep reading to learn about human geography and why it matters.

Are We in Late-Stage Capitalism? The 2 Points of View

Are we in “late-stage capitalism”? Was capitalism always doomed to fail? What would replace capitalism if it died? Some authors have argued recently that capitalism is a system destined to fail, while others argue that the system is resilient due to its system of checks and balances. In a more extreme view, some believe that capitalism will inevitably lead to a revolution. Below we will discuss all these possible scenarios.

Some Are Saying Crypto Is Dead—Are They Right?

Is crypto dead? Is there hope for its revival? Are there other uses for blockchain technology? In November 2021, the price of Bitcoin peaked at over $68,000. A year later the price had dropped below $18,000 and the cryptocurrency industry witnessed the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Today, the promising world of virtual currencies is growing more fringe and isolated. Keep reading to learn why some are saying “crypto is dead” in 2023.

Who Were the Dixiecrats? Their Dominance & Departure

Who were the Dixiecrats? How does their story shed light on the transformation of the Democratic Party in the 20th century? Ezra Klein writes that, in the mid-20th century, conservative Southern Democrats were the heart of the Democratic Party. He examines the history of these “Dixiecrats” and explains the significant role they played in American politics. Read more to learn how and why Dixiecrats dominated—and then exited—the Democratic Party.