アメリカの大学院で、元CIA局員の教授による、geopoliticsの講座を取っていたことがあります。授業の内容は、基本的には4の方のおっしゃる通り、Friedrich Ratzel、 Karl Haushofer 、Halford John Mackinder 、Alfred Mahan、Nicholas Spykmanなどの過去の地政学者達の理論と特徴、それと、現代的な地政学的展開を説明する上で、Zbignew BrzezinsikiのThe Grand Chessboard(邦訳 「ブレジンスキーの世界はこう動く」)をテキストとして用いていましたね。 第二次世界大戦後の世界秩序となった冷戦構造は、地政学的発想に基づくGeorge Kennanの封じ込め政策の提案によるものでしたが、冷戦後も、BrzeznskiやHuntingtonのThe Crash of Civilization ?などを読むと、21世紀おいても地政学的発想は、残念ながら、生き残り続けるのかな、と感じています。
China's demands for continuing Japanese apologies are much more about current geopolitics than past wrongs. China is skilfully using war guilt to keep Japan on the defensive. Every time Tokyo makes a hesitant attempt to begin acting like the great power it should be, China beats the drums about the war. Koreans and Philippines happily join the chorus, knowing that Japanese guilt - like German guilt - is a big cash machine.
As US military influence in Asia recedes, and Russia founders, China is well aware the sole impediment to its domination of East Asia is Japan. Chinese geopolitical analysts consider Japan a long-term, determined, highly dangerous enemy. So China's strategy is to keep Japan militarily impotent, and on the diplomatic and moral defensive.
However, the US has been pressing Japan to openly announce military and logistical support of US forces in South Korea in the event North Korea attacks. Defenseless against Chinese or North Korean missiles, Japan is finally considering building an anti-missile defensive shield. Both issues have roused Beijing's ire, producing the usual accusations of `resurgent Japanese militarism.'
Chinese well understand Japanese mentality. They are literally trying to browbeat Japan into a state of constant submission. Japanese still wallow in tribal humiliation over their crushing wartime defeat. Japan's foreign and military policies are those of a beaten, guilt-plagued nation that must remain forever on best behavior, and atone for past wrongs.
Any Japanese leaders who suggest it's time to remove the hair shirt of national guilt are immediately branded warmongering fascists.
Each time Japan must apologize for World War II, it loses much face among fellow Asians, many who relish watching the fiercely proud Japanese having to genuflect to their `inferior' neighbors. By forcing Japan to kow-tow, China reasserts its self-appointed role as Asia's premier power.
It is the Confucian way. Young must pay respect to the old; woman to man; lowborn to the high; vanquished to victor; Japan's Shogun to the visiting Emperor of China.
Sea Power と Land Power をそのまま海上戦力・陸上戦力と思うから誤解が生じている気がする。 軍隊の行動しやすいところ=民間人も行動しやすいところ と思えば良いのでは?軍事とは兵站。部隊の移動と物資の輸送。 水運と陸運のどちらが優れているか、というちょっとだけ拡大した視点で見れば古い地政学もまだまだ捨てたものでもないと思う。 マッキンダーは陸送能力(鉄道)を過大に評価していた、ということらしい。