noun
geopolitics
jee-oh-POL-ih-tiks
Geopolitics (noun) means the study of how geography, especially economic geography, shapes politics and the relations between countries. Example: “The book looks at the geopolitics of the region's oil reserves.”
noun
1
The study of how geography, especially economic geography, shapes politics and the relations between countries.
"The book looks at the geopolitics of the region's oil reserves."
"Shifting alliances have changed the geopolitics of the area."
"Her course covers the geopolitics of trade routes across Asia."
How to use geopolitics
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIt is the study of how a country's geography affects its politics and its dealings with other countries.
When to use it
It is a formal term found mainly in academic and news writing about international affairs.
Common pairings
regional geopolitics
the geopolitics of energy
global geopolitics
shifting geopolitics
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like geopolitics.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The book looks at the _____ of the region's oil reserves.
Etymology
Geopolitics joins geo- with politics, modelled on the Swedish word geopolitik. That Swedish term was coined in 1900 by Rudolf Kjellén.
Rhymes for geopolitics
See all rhymes for geopolitics →Frequently asked questions
What does geopolitics mean?
It is the study of how geography, particularly economic geography, affects politics and the relations between countries.
Who coined the term geopolitics?
The underlying term was coined in Swedish, as geopolitik, by Rudolf Kjellén in 1900. The English word is a calque built from that model.
Is geopolitics the same as politics?
No. Geopolitics specifically looks at the influence of geography on political relations, rather than politics in general.
What is the meaning of geopolitics?
"geopolitics" (noun) means the study of how geography, especially economic geography, shapes politics and the relations between countries.
