What are Geopolitics & International Relations?
Geopolitics and international relations involve the study of how geography influences political power dynamics globally. It examines the competition over geographic entities - places, regions, territories - among countries and groups to achieve political objectives. This field assesses the impact of geographical factors on global interactions, focusing on power, territorial disputes and strategic interests. It integrates analysis of political, economic, and societal trends to forecast state behaviours, considering both classical and critical perspectives, to understand the evolving international environment and its implications for security, diplomacy and global economics.
Sources: Utah State University, Oxford Academic & CFA Institute
What Were the Most Significant Geopolitical Trends of 2024?
The five most significant geopolitical trends of 2024 were:
- Multipolarity & Power Competition - The global order is shifting towards a multipolar system, with competition increasing among powerful countries like China, the United States, the European Union and Russia.
- Erosion of Trust - There is a growing global distrust of elites, institutions, and experts, which is leading to political polarisation and instability.
- Technological Transformation in Warfare - Advancements in technology are revolutionising military strategies. There is an increased focus on small, smart and stealthy systems like drones and AI-enabled tools that are challenging traditional structures of the military.
- Climate Change - Climate change is increasingly recognised as a significant geopolitical risk, influencing national security and global stability, leading to policy shifts worldwide.
- Global Electoral Volatility - An unprecedented number of countries held elections in 2024, which led to political upheaval and shifts in domestic and foreign policies.
Sources: Ernst & Young, S&P Global, Lazard
What are the Top Geopolitical Risks of 2025?
In 2025, significant geopolitical risks will dominate the global landscape. Protectionist policies and rising populism threaten international trade, migration and climate collaboration, destabilising global alliances. Intensified "de-risking" strategies aim to reduce supply chain dependencies but may inadvertently create inefficiencies and vulnerabilities.
Digital sovereignty is also becoming a focal point, as nations seek control over their digital domains, potentially leading to fragmented technology standards and regulatory barriers for businesses. Similarly, uneven climate policies driven by geopolitical and economic pressures could hinder international cooperation and sustainability efforts. The global energy transition will continue to reshape geo-energy dynamics, with the pace and direction dependent on government policies, impacting both energy markets and geopolitical alignments. Additionally, the election of Donald Trump, inaugurated as President on the 20th of January 2025, will pose significant geopolitical risks as he imposes tariffs and policies that will shape global affairs.
On the 2nd of April 2025, in what he called "Liberation Day", Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs - including a 10% baseline on all imports and harsher levies on selected nations. He claimed this move would revive American industry and reduce reliance on foreign goods - but in the meantime, he was also creating a major geopolitical risk.
The election of a new German Chancellor in 2025 is expected to present geopolitical risk, due to its impact on EU stability, energy policies and relations with global powers. In February 2025, Friederich Merz was appointed as the Chancellor of Germany, with the CDU/CSU gaining 28.5% of votes, equating to 208 seats.
These interconnected risks require businesses and policymakers to adopt agile, resilient strategies to navigate growing uncertainties and seize opportunities in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Adaptability will be key in mitigating these challenges.
Sources: Ernst & Young, Chatham House, European Parliament, BBC & ABC News
A framework for understanding global politics, our expert geopolitics & international relations speakers explore the strategies and actions taken by countries, terrorist groups, and other entities to achieve their political objectives or control and influence over geographical features, including in major geopolitical events such as Brexit. If you want to understand more about how geographical locations are leveraged for political advantage, or how power is used to control geographical entities strategically, contact Champions Speakers to hire a geopolitics & international relations speaker today!
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