Forum on Geopolitics at POLIS, University of Cambridge

As the history of the 20th century has shown, the geopolitics of the European continent and the wider world are of the highest concern to Britain and the rest of Europe. On the one hand, existing multilateral institutions are becoming less relevant, less effective and less capable of addressing global problems, even in Europe. On the other hand, the recent vogue for 'transnational approaches' and 'interdependence' obscures the fact that the most serious challenges we face, such as the crisis of the European union and the threat of Russian expansionism, are deeply rooted in the traditional state system.

In recent years, centres for the study of geopolitics and grand strategy have sprung up across the United States, often pioneered by British scholars. However, there does not yet exist a parallel offering in Britain, or the rest of the European Union. This absence has had a detrimental impact on the policymaking process in Britain and across Europe and the world.

OUR VISION FOR GEOPOLITICS

The University of Cambridge and the Department of Politics and International Studies are seeking to create a dedicated Centre of Geopolitics and Grand Strategy, that will put Cambridge on the map as a hub for geopolitical thought and practice. The Forum on Geopolitics represents the first step in this process.

At the heart of the proposed Centre of Geopolitics and Grand Strategy will be its focus on history as it relates to the