Task – ‘Open-source’ task. Theory – 10 point task – a ‘Open-source’ task. Find/identify main postulates of given great thinker/scholar [from Martin Griffiths

friedrich ratzel and "lebensraum"/lebensraum im osten
Friedrich Ratzel was a German geographer and political theorist who developed the concept of "Lebensraum," or "living space," in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ratzel's ideas have had a significant impact on political geography and international relations, particularly in the context of German expansionism and imperialism.
3 Main Postulates of Friedrich Ratzel's Theory of Place and Space:

1. 
   The concept of Lebensraum: Ratzel developed the concept of Lebensraum, which argues that a nation requires a certain amount of territory to sustain its population and cultural identity. He believed that the expansion of territory was a necessary condition for a nation's survival and prosperity.
   
2. 
   The role of geography in shaping political behavior: Ratzel emphasized the role of geography in shaping political behavior, including state policies and military strategies. He believed that geography determined the distribution of resources and shaped the way in which nations interacted with one another.
   
3. 
   The importance of territorial expansion: Ratzel believed that territorial expansion was necessary for a nation to maintain its power and status, and argued that it was essential for the survival of a nation.
   

Illustrations of Ratzel's theory in international relations include:

1. 
   The German expansionist policies of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Ratzel's ideas were influential in shaping German expansionist policies, including the drive for Lebensraum im Osten (living space in the east). This led to the colonization of large parts of Eastern Europe and was a significant factor in the events leading up to World War I.
   
2. 
   The role of geography in shaping state policies: Ratzel's ideas emphasize the role of geography in shaping state policies and military strategies. For example, the geography of a particular region can influence the distribution of resources and shape the way in which states interact with one another.
   
3. 
   The use of territorial expansion as a means of maintaining power: Ratzel's ideas have been used to justify territorial expansion as a means of maintaining a nation's power and status. This has been seen in the actions of various states throughout history, including the territorial expansion of the Soviet Union and the aggressive foreign policies of Nazi Germany in the mid-20th century.