Federico Bordonaro, Ph.D.
Saul B. Cohen and the Multipolar Geopolitical Reality
Saul Bernard Cohen (1925-2021) stands as one of the most prominent American political geographers of the late twentieth century. His work commands attention for its scientific rigor, distinct from transient intellectual trends, often placing him in politically and intellectually isolated positions that, over time, proved prescient in light of historical developments. Cohen described his theory as “reality-based,” combining high abstraction with a strong grounding in empirical reality. In analyzing the geopolitical landscape of the early 21st century, Cohen foresaw the emergence of a multipolar world and cautioned against American attempts to enforce unipolarity. He also dismissed the notion of a forthcoming “Chinese century.”
Cohen’s Theoretical Framework
Cohen’s ‘systemic’ geopolitical theory begins with a fundamental historical-geographical observation: political systems evolve from an atomistic state—where individual political and social units exhibit similar characteristics—to one of increasing specialization and integration. This process manifests as a form of international division of labor, both diplomatically and economically.
According to Cohen, global political-economic history progresses through stages. Initially, states must secure their defense and prosperity independently. Over time, however, they specialize in distinct functions—some providing advanced technologies or financial services, others ensuring regional security. In its most advanced phase, this specialization leads to greater integration, forming macro-regional blocs, exemplified by the European Union.