That's interesting. I think of political geography as a branch of geographic thought, or theory, whereas I see geopolitics as an area of study by those interested in international affairs and the history and geographic relationships of nation/states. One of my colleagues, who considers herself a political geographer, is well versed in the theories of this branch of geographic thought. She applies these to her research in household and village level analyses of resource use. She delves into questions of resource control and power among actors within social groups. Political geography provides her with the theoretical framework to structure her research. I wouldn't say that geopolitics is a "doctrine" -- that implies some sort of "set of beliefs". But I do think it's a way of seeing and analyzing global and regional events within a spatial, physical framework, that seeks to relate political realities to that framework.

Since the days of Ratzel political geography is about the study of state. It varied from study of state as an organism to state as an area, to study of spatial political phenomena. Things changed when Peter J Taylor came who under the "world systems theory" changed the nature of political geography completely. Now state is viewed as an ideology and global economy as the reality (prior to Taylor, state acted as the ultimate reality in political geography). Although under globalisation, state is not same but analysis of political and economic phenomena (say impacts of neo-liberalism) is very much studied at the unit of state.

Geopolitics, on the other hand, as it came into existence in Germany was the study of space from the perspective of state. "Space" was focus. Now things have changed and we are talking about "critical geopolitics".

Here in Croatia one of the leading political geographers define geopolitics as a subjective (primarily from nationalistic point of view) interpretation of political geography.

Geopolitics = earth + politics,

earth: natural resources like water etc.

Politics: increasing influence for access to resources.

So it wouldn't be geographic discipline but of political science.

I agree with Sachinder Singh point of view. currently I do a research on geopolitics in Malaysia. almost one year I try to get the best definition of geopolitics. As mention by Sachinder Singh currently most researcher talk about critical geopolitics which relates the world political event such as Arab Spring and the emergence of China. Based on Herbs, he define geopolitics as a limitation of power, politics and political power that different within states and space. What I can conclude here is that, geopolitics can be divided into three research scope. First, global level, that look at global impact and international affairs. Second, country level, which focus on political event within state in a country and third, firm or operational level.

In reference to Dr. Neven Tandaric. Geopolitics is a part of political geography thinking. During the days of German geopolitics, states (which are socially created spatial entities) had a tendency to expand their frontiers. Although not each state could do the same. This was one of basic reasons behind the World War-II. Now in the period of neoliberalism, an another sort of geopolitics is going on which is also spatial in nature in which state economic politics are influenced by big financial institutions and MNCs. Hence we have neoliberalisms--having spatial differencs.

Considero a la Geopolítica una ciencia que cuenta una historia a manera de un video, y la geografía política como fotografías tomadas en cierto momento de la historia de un país

Punto de vista muy interesante.

Gracias, Nancy

Dear Sachinder sir,

Can you please explain what neoliberalism means?

Neoliberalism is an economic and political ideology having its spatial variations in terms of its implementation in different countries across globe. That is why also known as "Neoliberalisms" or "Neoliberalisations". Having its origin in the Washington Consensus and implementation in Chile as the testing ground. Later on these policies having DLP formula (de-regulation. liberalisation and privatisation) were implemented in different countries. Majority of times, these policies were implemented under the pressures of big financial institutions (World Bank, IMF) and also the elite rich class of countries. Under these policies, the state has acquired a new role. It is becoming an agency for the investment of private capital. Take the case the way land is acquired by the state in India for the benefit of private builders and other private companies. Same thing is going in the fields of education, health, internal security etc. Kindly go through my paper "Unmasking Neoliberalism: From Welfare Commitments to Market Commitments" available on Research Gate.

There is no consensus on the relation between political geography and geopolitics as those two disciplines themselves are not define the same way troughout the world.

Some scholars consider that Political geography only is scientifical (they generally reduce Geopolitics to a strictly nationalist praxis), some others consider geopolitics seriously, but they are no so numerous in fact. It is very rare that these two branches are both considered seriously (I do so).

It is interesting that the up-to-date "Critical geopolitics" is not an approval of the geopolitics but a deny of its scientificity. These paradoxical point of view is a clear limit to the "critical" approach, as it put the impossibility of a "useful" geopolitics as founding principle. If critical geopolitics opened important reflexions, I think that -between nationalism and post-modern denial- the need for a positive geopolitics (analysis of space representation, strategy and stakes) still exists : ...

SR

geopolitics belongs to the political science.  It examines the impact of the space on state policy. Research tools based on political science, geography, history, military and economy. It focuse on the future. It is interested in the relationship between the centers of power. The object of research is the real balance of forces. It is used as a "Handbook of power".

Poltical geography belongs to geographical science. It examines the impact of state on a space. Research tools based on the socio-economic geography. Focused on the "Present". It focuse on the "Present".  It  is interested in a description of the geographical space. It is used as a handy "atlas" of the official political division of the globe.

http://geopolityka.eu/polska,11-pelny-23-geopolityka_a_geografia_polityczna.html

Although Geopolitics, with the vision of the state and its current boundaries, approaches the process of forming nations regions, dynamics and forms of interaction, also recognizes the political geography of the countries, other forms of political entities, shaped by human and their distribution across the planet. The two approaches reviewed an explanatory physical basis of dynamic phenomena, nests, forming strategic economic or political blocs and its complementary view, allows you to review the related issues such as the process of policy formation, governance systems, policy actions and their impact , among others.

I think the basic difference is in the emphasis though political geography and critical geopolitics are very close to each other.

Political geography is the study of application of power to a particular space, and geopolitics is about the interaction of the relative powers of these different spatial units. Political geography is about power projected inwards on to a given space; and geopolitics is about the projection of power outwards from a given space.

Mind you, this answer is only something suitable for an absolute beginner, the real differences (and similarities) are much more complex

Based on the German school of geopolitics (e.g.: "Bausteine zur Geopolitik", 1928; R.Hennig, 1931): geopolitics is the study of space from the perspective of state. The political geography, based on books by F.Ratzel (1897), is a study about the state. Basic difference at the points of view the space and the state. Now, totally another meaning of geopolitics shows "critical geopolitics" and modern political geography.

Political geography is the spatial and locative analysis of political phenomena but

Geopolitics is the spatial and locative analysis of political phenomena with emphasis on power

الجغرافية السياسية عند راتزل تعني بوضوح مانفسره اليوم بالجيوبولتك لانه شبه الدولة بالكائن الحي اما ماجرى بعد انتهاء النازية والقول بأن الالمان شوهو هذا العلم فوهذا هراء ان الدولة ظاهرة بشرية وليست طبيعية

Have a look: Leszek Sykulski GEOPOLITICS AND THE POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY – SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Chapter Geopolitics and the Political Geography – Similarities and Differences