1. Understanding the Geopolitical Framework – a method of understanding the world

Discussion: the geopolitical utility for business and economics and the business and economics utility for geopolitics

The first day’s discussions are encompassing core elements regarding mapping the contemporary resources and understanding their multiple roles for the tri-dimensional method/foundation of geopolitical analysis: politics, economics, security (military). A case study will be provided in class – a current article published the previous day of the discussion, so that we may understand utility and relevance in practice and not only in theory.

Subtopics:

1) On geopolitical evaluation: the definitions and the working principles

(support: Chapter 1 of “Contemporary Geopolitics and Geoeconomics 2.0”)

2) Structural analysis: the thinking model

(support: Chapter 2.3 of “Contemporary Geopolitics and Geoeconomics 2.0”)

3) Vectors of influence: modelling the society using the economic framework

(support: Chapter 3.3 of “Contemporary Geopolitics and Geoeconomics 2.0”)

2. Contemporary dependencies: the networking web in contemporary geopolitics

Discussion and exercise on geoeconomics and “understanding the future”

The second part of discussions focuses on contemporary problems and the topic of geoeconomics, discussing how dependencies are being formed between countries and how society evolves, considering the digital age and the current pandemic. A simulation exercise using current events will be introduced and discussed with the class, as well as an open session dedicated to discussing contemporary challenges that are potentially shaping geopolitics and the geopolitical method of understanding the world.

Subtopics:

1) On the invisible links: trade and investment

(support: chapter 4.3 of “Contemporary Geopolitics and Geoeconomics 2.0”)

2) On social complexity and infrastructure for new demographics

(support: chapter 5 of “Contemporary Geopolitics and Geoeconomics 2.0”)

3) On future topics: challenging the past

(support: chapter 6 of “Contemporary Geopolitics and Geoeconomics 2.0”)