The relevance of political-geographical position and situation in Friedrich Ratzel

Abstract

The present study aims to revisit a concept proposed by Friedrich Ratzel (1844–1904) during his academic career. As the author of works such as "Anthropogeographie" and "Politische Geographie," Friedrich Ratzel developed an extensive theoretical and methodological framework that played a significant role in advancing and consolidating geographical science. This study seeks to evaluate the dialectical pair found in the concepts of political-geographical position and situation as presented in Ratzel's works, which highlight the enduring relationship between society and nature, revealing the core of studies in Geography, Political Geography, and Geopolitics. These concepts are primarily found in Kleine Schriften von Friedrich Ratzel (Small Writings of Friedrich Ratzel), a posthumous work organized by Hans Helmolt in 1906. Themes such as the interactions between humans and the environment, State, society, and territory, as well as the formulation of the principle of territorial extension at different scales of analysis, stand out as some of Ratzel's main contributions and guide the discussion of this article. His works offer broader approaches than the mere location of a territory, and Ratzel's reflections remain relevant and essential for contemporary geographical studies, making the revival of his ideas critical for understanding the very essence of Geography. Through readings, bibliographical consultations, and hermeneutic interpretation, it was concluded that the concepts of geographical position and situation can serve as tools for the development of public policies, logistical strategies, and transportation planning, contributing to better territorial organization.