Modern geopolitical research in Russia

Abstract

In this article, we present the results of our study into the contribution of geography to modern geopolitics in Russia. We stress the interdisciplinary nature of geopolitical studies and identify ensuing problems. Using content analysis of the eLIBRARY bibliography data­base and Elsevier’s abstract and citation database Scopus, we conclude that geography has considerably affected the development of modern geopolitics in Russia. The contribution of geographers is rather modest considering the number of PhD theses and research publica­tions. However, it becomes more visible when textbooks only are taken into account. Geo­gra­phical studies are an indispensable part of geopolitical research, which we identified us­ing the object-subject criteria reflecting the effect that properties of territories have on the poli­cies of states located within them. This relates to marine geopolitics, ethnic geopolitics, geoe­co­nomics, ecopolitics, political geoconflict studies, and mediageopolitics. We consider geopo­litics and ethnic geopolitics to be priority areas of geographical and geopolitical stud­ies. Geo­graphy plays a major role in the comprehensive geopolitical studies into territories of dif­ferent size. Geopolitics of post-Soviet space, geopolitics of Russia, domestic geopolitics, and cri­tical geopolitics examine the combined effect of the properties of territories on the policies of states implemented in them. We stress that most geographical and geopolitical works focus on analysing the geopolitical location of territories, the geopolitical interests of states, and the identification of mechanisms behind the geopolitical vision of the population.