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Critical Geopolitics and the Writing of Foreign Policy Klaus-John Dodds A thesis submitted to the University of Bristol in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Ph.D. in the faculty of Social Sciences September 1993 Abstract The thesis presents an exploration of an emerging field within Anglo-American political geography called Critical Geopolitics. Specifically, the thesis explores the relationship between geopolitics and the inherently geographical practices of foreign policy. Furthermore, by drawing on research literatures in international relations, political theory and the specific work of Michel Foucault and Edward Said the thesis links up a discussion of critical geopolitics and foreign policy to discussions of identity and sovereignty. The thesis explores three case studies: Argentine national identity and state formation, Argentine geopolitical writings and the politics of the South Atlantic Treaty Organisation and finally the 1982 FalklandslMalvinas War. In doing so, the research strategies of critical geopolitics have been utilised in order to demonstrate that critical geopolitics offers new research possibilities for geographical and international relations scholars. In sum, the thesis offers a substantial assessment of critical geopolitics and related fields in international relations and political geography. Acknowledgements I owe considerable thanks to Leslie Hepple for his advice and encouragement during the course of my doctoral research. In addition, the help and support that Paul Glennie arid Nigel Thrift have given me was (and still is) considerable. Their willingness to be unofficial 'supervisors' needs to be gratefully acknowledged. Furthermore, the support and friendship of my fellow graduate students was invaluable. Outside of the Geography Department at Bristol University- individuals such as Terrell Carver, Simon Dalby, Marcus Doel, Felix Driver, Peter Hennessy, Timothy Luke, Gerard 0 Tuathail, Nick Rennegger, James Sidaway and Robert Walker were kind enough to comment and criticise sections of this doctoral thesis. I am happy to acknowledge the financial support of the following: The Alumni Foundation Award, The Department of Geography (University of Bristol), The Economic and Social Research Council (one year studentship), Emporia State University Travel Fund and The University of Bristol Access Fund. I owe thanks to Richard Hodder-Williams for employing me as a research assistant in 1992 at a time when I was desperately short of money. In the Summer of 1993 I was fortunate enough to be awarded a short term fellowship at the Newbeny Library in Chicago. I am grateful for their financial support. Any research project that involves a considerable element of fieldwork needs a sizable amount of assistance. In London, the hospitality of Ian and Vivian Ward allowed me to carry out my research in London. In America, Jerome and Catherine Booth and Phil and Linda Kelly were generous in their offers of accommodation and advice. In Argentina, the kindness of Marcelo Escolar, Cabs Escude and Carlos Reboratti was considerable. In the process of collecting primary and secondary records for my research I have depended on the assistance of the staff at the following institutions: in Argentina; Archivo General de la Nacion, Biblioteca Nacional, the Buenos Aires Herald, Consejo Argentino de Informaciones Cientificos y Technologicas, Instituto de Geografia (Universidad de Buenos Aires), and Ministerio de Relaciones Exterior Biblioteca. In Britain; Public Records Office, Royal Geographical Society, Institute of Latin American Studies and the Scott Polar Research Institute. In the United States; Library of Congress, Inter-American Defence College Library, Inter-American Development Bank Library, National Defence University Library and the University of Kansas Library. On a personal level, I have been fortunate to enjoy the companionship of Susan Armstrong-Brown. Finally, without the financial and personal support of my family, this doctoral submission would not have been possible. Memorandum This thesis is the original work of the candidate except where acknowledgement is given and has not been submitted for a higher degree in this or any other university. ktaugJ1cLc Klaus-John Dodds September 1993 Contents Abstract .1 Acknowledgements .11 Memorandum iv Contents ................................................................................................................... V List of Maps ..................................................................................................................lx Preface...........................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Introduction ..................................................................................................................7 1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................7 1.2. Geopolitics and Discourse ................................................................................................................12 1.3. A Genealogy of Geopolitics? Or Telling Stories? ................................................................................................................25 1.4. Summary ................................................................................................................40 Chapter 2: Criticising Conventional Geopolitics and Locating Critical Geopolitics ...............................................................................................................46 2.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................46 2.2. Political Geography and the Cold War in the 1980s: A Revolutionary Moment? .................................................................................................................48 2.3. The Ambivalent Position of 'Classical' Geopolitics .................................................................................................................50 2.4. Critical Geopolitics: Research Strategies .................................................................................................................73 2.5. Summary: Building a Counter-Hegemonic Critical Geopolitics .................................................................................................................80 Chapter 3: Critical Geopolitics and Foreign Policy .................................................................................................................86 3.1. introduction .................................................................................................................86 3.2. Foreign Policy as a Re-Presentational Practice .................................................................................................................88 3.3. Rethinking Foreign Policy I: Political Space and State Sovereignty .................................................................................................................93 3.4. Rethinking Foreign Policy II: Political Identity .................................................................................................................98 3.5. Rethinking Foreign Policy III: Foreign Policy as a Boundary Producing Practice ...............................................................................................................102 3.6. Critical Geopolitics and the Making of Foreign Policy ...............................................................................................................105 3.7. Imaginary Boundaries ...............................................................................................................125 3.8. Summary ..........................................................................................................128 Chapter 4: Writing Sovereign Identities: Liminars, National Identity and the Nineteenth Century Argentine State ................................................................................................................130