Theoretical background

Abstract

The introductory part of this chapter presents two notions that are fundamental for the whole volume, namely geopolitics and geoeconomics. The author highlights the ways in which these notions are defined in the literature on the subject, presents the terminological interpretations he has chosen as well as geoeconomic instruments and endowments. Then he proceeds to discussing theoretical foundations taking into account three main schools analyzing the role of the state in the economy, namely (1) liberalism, (2) Marxism and close to (3) realism - statism, mercantilism and concepts of the developmental state. Both the definitions and further presentations constitute the key to the later discussion over the analysis of examples illustrating the selected economic policies that exist in the European Union and are implemented by global or regional powers. In the summary, the author identifies the common objectives for all the chapters in the volume.