Exploring Constitutional Geopolitics: Paradigms, Tools, and ‘Rules of Engagement’

For a long time, the relationship between geopolitics and constitutional law has been marked by mutual indifference—if not outright mistrust. Yet constitutions and geopolitical dynamics are not separate spheres; rather, they are intertwined far more deeply than is traditionally acknowledged. In some cases, constitutions shape the behavior of geopolitical actors, for instance by introducing constraints capable of guiding their choices; in others, the interpretation and application of constitutional law are themselves conditioned by the dynamics of power competition, at times even resulting in the open violation of constitutional norms. Against this backdrop, the article identifies a toolbox of four analytical instruments that can foster a dialogue between law and geopolitics in examining the role played by constitutions within mappable power conflicts: conditioning factors, geopolitical representations, geopolitical ranking, and cartography. Through this integrative model—referred to here as ‘constitutional geopolitics’—it becomes possible to identify some initial and promising avenues of research within a broader process of mutual enrichment between constitutional law and geopolitics.