@article{article_1107709, title={THE CONFLICT OF LAND AND SEA IN GEOPOLITICS COMPARING THE GEOPOLITICAL THINKING OF HALFORD MACKINDER AND ALFRED MAHAN (1890-1914)}, journal={Journal of International Relations and Political Science Studies}, pages={1–18}, year={2022}, author={Fellegi, Benjamin}, keywords={Mackinder, Mahan, Geopolitics, Land and Sea Geopolitics}, abstract={Geopolitical thought goes back to many centuries, as it is rooted in both history and geography. Its modern formulation, however, began in the latter part of the 19th century. This was the time when the British Empire was still a hegemon, although its relative power was in decline. The newcomers, however, were rising fast. Tsarist Russia, the young German Empire, Imperial Japan, and the American colossus of the Western Hemisphere all slowly but surely ate away the dominance of Britain. This situation was reflected by a transformation of the international order, great power rivalry, and vivid geopolitical opining. This paper focuses on the latter. More precisely, the geopolitical thought of the American naval officer and historian Alfred Mahan, and that of British geographer, historian, and politician, Halford Mackinder. Their clashing views signified the antagonism between land and sea powers, a theoretical manifestation of the real opposition between the naval powers and land-based powers of both their era and history. This framework would go on to have a great impact upon strategic thinking and exert influence on geopolitics up until today.}, number={4}, publisher={International Relations Studies Association}