The Rise of Geotechnology: A Paradigm Shift from Geopolitics and Geoeconomics in the Context of Industry 4.0

Abstract As the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, where the physical, digital and biological areas merge, there is a growing demand for technology-centred thinking in world affairs. In the dynamic and complex landscape of international economic relations, the 21 st century may witness a transformative shift in strategic thinking from traditional geopolitics and geoeconomics to the new realm of geotechnology, from the analogue and the geographic towards the digital and the abstract amidst the incoming economic disruption that is represented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This article explores the emerging paradigms, and how technological advancements have not only altered the traditional power dynamics among states but have also opened the way for a more interconnected and interdependent international system which necessitates new methods of thinking in order to cope with the economics of Industry 4.0. By discussing key aspects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this study aims to elucidate how technological innovations have become influential determinants in decision-making processes traditionally dominated by geopolitical or geoeconomic considerations. Through a rigorous review of the speciality literature, the article aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the rise of geotechnology and its transformative impact on shaping the future of international relations, by democratising global governance and providing a technologically-centric view in the context of the proliferation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its potentially disruptive capabilities.