Geoculture - analysis of relations between geopolitics and cultural phenomena

general courses

The aim of the course is to analyze the relationship between geopolitics and culture. Hence the term geoculture. These relationships are multiple and very close. In fact, it is hard to imagine geopolitics without reference to ideas or even ideology, without conducting political deliberation, or at least a debate among experts and decision makers. And they are influenced by ideas, geopolitical thought, both traditional and contemporary. Sometimes they consciously or do not follow the tracks set by theories in international relations. They are also rooted in historical experiences typical of a given country and a particular political community. All this creates an environment saturated with ideas, cultural values, traditional perception of security threats and opportunities, and finally recognizing potential rivals or enemies, as well as friends or allies in the international environment. Culture is therefore a natural basis for geopolitics or strategy in international relations. It is also an important instrument of geopolitics. It is hard to imagine foreign policy without a political narrative that is supposed to legitimize its goals outside and inside a given state or international organization, and is also supposed to mobilize society and elites to achieve geopolitical goals.

Classroom

Classes will be organized in several blocks. First, theoretical concepts will be presented that refer to culture, i.e. they recognize the importance of cultural resources for activities in international relations. Then selected examples of geoculture application in practice will be analyzed. First of all, they will refer to European integration. An example will be the issue of European identity, especially in the field of security and defence. In addition, the role of political ideas and narratives in implementing geoeconomic projects such as Nord Stream and Opal will be analysed. Next, the role of the political narrative accompanying the EU's international relations with external partners will be discussed, on the example of the EU's relations with China. Another example will be the role of narrative and ideas in the development of European integration.

Classes will be organized in several blocks. First, theoretical concepts will be presented that refer to culture, i.e. they recognize the importance of cultural resources for activities in international relations. Then selected examples of geoculture application in practice will be analyzed. First of all, they will refer to European integration. An example will be the issue of European identity, especially in the field of security and defence. In addition, the role of political ideas and narratives in implementing geoeconomic projects such as Nord Stream and Opal will be analysed. Next, the role of the political narrative accompanying the EU's international relations with external partners will be discussed, on the example of the EU's relations with China. Another example will be the role of narrative and ideas in the development of European integration.

T.G. Grosse, Geokultura, czyli o związkach geopolityki z kulturą, Kraków 2023.

E.H. Carr, Kryzys dwudziestolecia 1919-1939, Universitas, Kraków 2021.

J.S. Nye, Soft Power. The Means to Success in World Politics, PublicAffairs, New York 2004.

T.G. Grosse, Geopolityka a soft power, [w:] Geopolityka, Słowniki społeczne, red. J. Kloczkowski, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Akademii Ignatianum w Krakowie, Kraków 2021, s. 211-228.

C. Marklund, The Return of Geopolitics in the Era of Soft Power: Rereading Rudolf Kjellén on Geopolitical Imaginary and Competitive Identity, Geopolitics, 2015, 20:2, pp. 248-266.

S.P. Huntington, Zderzenie cywilizacji i nowy kształt ładu światowego, Warszawskie Wydawnictwo Literackie Muza, Warszawa 1997.

M. Bassin, Civilisations and Their Discontents: Political Geography and Geopolitics in the Huntington Thesis, Geopolitics, 12:3, pp. 351-374.

F. Koneczny, O wielości cywilizacyj, Gebethner i Wolff, Kraków 1935.

N. Jabko, Playing the Market: A Political Strategy for Uniting Europe, 1985–2005, Cornel University Press, Ithaca – London 2006.

M. Blyth, The Great Transformation: Economic Ideas and Institutional Change in the 20th century, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2002.

T.G. Grosse, Trzy oblicza konstruktywizmu w Europie. Rozważania o kryzysie metody integracyjnej, Chrześcijaństwo-świat-polityka, nr 17/18, 2014/2015, s. 35-50.

I. Manners, Normative power Europe: a contradiction in terms? Journal of Common Market Studies, 2002, 40 (2), pp. 235–258.

D. Diner, Knowledge of expansion on the geopolitics of Karl Haushofer, Geopolitics, 1999, 4:3, pp. 161-188.

Grosse T.G., Kryzys integracji europejskiej w świetle koncepcji Arnolda Toynbee’go, Przegląd Zachodni, nr 4 (365), 2017, s. 25-40.

Knowledge of the links between geopolitics and cultural phenomena, the ability to interpret events in international relations in relation to geoculture.

K_W06, K_W07, K_W09, K_U08, K_U09, K_U11, K_K01, K_K04

Based on presentations, attendance and activity in class.

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