Military Power and Trade Policy – Roots of Contemporary Geopolitical Economy

KRPEC, Oldřich and Vladan HODULÁK. Military Power and Trade Policy – Roots of Contemporary Geopolitical Economy. In Radhika Desai. Theoretical Engagements in Geopolitical Economy. Bingley (United Kingdom): Emerald, 2015, p. 205-234. Research in Political Economy (30A). ISBN 978-1-78560-295-5. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/S0161-72302015000030A015.

Basic information

• Original name: Military Power and Trade Policy – Roots of Contemporary Geopolitical Economy
• Authors: KRPEC, Oldřich (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution) and Vladan HODULÁK (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Bingley (United Kingdom), Theoretical Engagements in Geopolitical Economy, p. 205-234, 30 pp. Research in Political Economy (30A), 2015.
• Publisher: Emerald

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Chapter(s) of a specialized book
• Field of Study: 50601 Political science
• Country of publisher: Czech Republic
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Publication form: printed version "print"
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14230/15:00084075
• Organization unit: Faculty of Social Studies
• ISBN: 978-1-78560-295-5
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/S0161-72302015000030A015
• Keywords in English: Economic history; trade policy; military power; national state; geopolitical economy; Charles Tilly

Abstract

To discuss the historical roots of contemporary geopolitical economy, this paper aims to explore the complex and influential analysis of Tilly's formation of European national states as a predominant type of territorial political organization in contemporary world. To do this, Tilly described different eras of dominant organization of warfare in relation to state organization: patrimonialism, brokerage, nationalization, specialization. In this paper, we explore the link between the organization of military power and trade policy. We are trying to answer the question, if it is possible to credibly state a connection between the trade policy types pursued by selected states in specific historical periods and Tilly’s eras of dominant form of organization of warfare. For this purpose, we developed a typology of trade policies of important states throughout the history, using the economic history research of leading experts in the field. Our conclusion is that such a connection – between trade policy and Tilly’s eras of organization of warfare – can be made and that this connection is solidly supported by economic history. Our analysis may be of value for any critical assessment of international trade relations in contemporary geopolitical economy – and of influential cosmopolitan interpretations of the liberal trade regime of 19th century or globalization in 20th century.