Origins of geopolitical thought in spain. A first approach

Abstract

Geography has always been involved in informative tasks within the circles of power. Towards the end of the nineteenth century this collaboration became more significant or at least more noticeable. In the historical context of capitalist development, geography served the purpose of legitimizing colonial practices, thus forming part of the complex superstructure of the imperialist phenomenon. Similarly, geography was also used during the development of nationalism conscience to justify the «vital necessities», of the Nation-state. Thus Geopolitics emerged as a specifics body of doctrines.

One can identify a «German model», designed by geographers and authoritarian heads of state -from Ratzel to Hitler himself- all of whom were complices in imperial domains which had to be defended or in great nations which were to be built. This manner of «defining space», according to the interests of authoritarian, nationalist and expansionist political projects had a loyal following in Spain composed of politicians, members of the armed forces, intellectuals in general and more especifically geographers. Of the latter, Gonzalo de Reparaz, Emilio Huguet del Villar and Leonardo Martin Echevarria, among others, stand out. Some of their works, published during the first third of the twentieth century, offer evident similarities to the work of Ratzel, which are considered the embrion of the future doctrinal core of geopolitics.