The Role of Halford Mackinder's Theory in British World Politics

This study attempts to explore the development and evolution of Mackinder's geopolitical thinking in world politics of British Empire and its influence thereafter. This research paper examines the characteristics of geopolitical perspective of Britain, through Halford Mackinder's Heartland theory during the three periods of the early twentieth century to the present time. In this regard, the paper will review variables of territorial status, power, geopolitical rivalries, and geopolitical determinism to explore the core thesis of Mackinder's geopolitics and implications of British international politics today. The article approaches realism/neorealism for understanding the role of Mackinder's geopolitical considerations in Britain's global politics. The Author argues that Mackinder primarily tried to identify geopolitical advantages and disadvantages of Great Britain, and then, finding solutions to sustain British Empire's life and prevent its decline. The findings show that interactions of identified factors played a role in policy development and geopolitical rivalries with other European powers. This article suggests that the foreign policy decisions of British statesmen have largely influenced by Mackinder's geopolitical variables in terms of balance of power and the continuity of Britain's influence during the Empire and in the present time in some parts of the world, including Eurasia and the Middle East. It suggests that Mackinder's theory is extensively used in international politics of America and Britain since the end of the Cold War.