Heartland vs. Rimland Perspectives on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

Abstract In contrast to Halford Mackinder's focus on continental interior as the basis of his "Heartland" theory of geopolitical influence and Nicholas Spykman's emphasis on coastal periphery as the basis of his "Rimland" theory of geopolitical influence; this review will analyze the application of these two geopolitical frameworks to the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which is a broad-based multi-faceted development and economic corridor project, established in 2013, stretching from Eurasia into Africa and beyond. The paper compares the way that BRI embodies Heartland style geopolitical influence via its overland corridors while also expanding the rim of the Rimland via the sea-based components of the BRI. Based on an examination of the available literature on the BRI, the paper analyzes how BRI's implementation is likely to affect the emerging multipolar geopolitics including the relationships between major powers and the growing web of economic interdependence among them. The paper concludes by noting that BRI will hybridize elements of both the Heartland and Rimland theories and therefore reshape the geography of connectivity across Eurasia and prompt new interpretations of the role of the continent in the era of globalization. Finally, the paper argues that BRI will help to break down the traditional binary oppositions between land and sea.