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What is the difference between the concepts of heartland and rimland?| heartland vs rimland theory UPSC

 Question:

What is the difference between the concepts of heartland and rimland? What is their value in the present-day world? ( 64th BPSC, 2019)

Answer:

Heartland and rimland, both theories are geopolitics[politics attached with geographical location] theories that explain the evolution of geopolitics of the world.

Mackinder's Heartland Theory
Mackinder's Heartland Theory

The following are the differences between the heartland and rimland theories:

  • Heartland theory was given by British political geographer H J Mackinder in the year 1904 whereas Rimland theory was given by Spykman in 1942.
  • Heartland theory believed that whoever controls the heartland( Siberia and part of central Asia) will control the world islands whereas rimland theory believed that whoever controls the rimland(  Inner marginal crescent ) comprised Europe, North Africa, West Asia, India, South East Asia, and part of China will control the world islands. 
  • Heartland theory gave importance to landlocked areas that are inaccessible from the sea whereas rimland theory believed that sea power that has larger coastal areas are more powerful in terms of resources and military movement because of easy access to the sea.
  • Heartland theory was accepted mostly during world war Time whereas the rimland theory was most famous after the cold era and is still relevant.

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