Technological Change,Niche Construction,and the Evolution of Geopolitical Logic
Geopolitics,despite being an ancient discipline,still has certain shortcomings in terms of causal analysis,definition of academic boundaries,and case study methodolo-gies.This paper seeks to introduce a new analytical framework for geopolitics by adopting an evolutionary and niche construction perspective.It argues that geographic space forms the competitive environment,driving actors to find niches that match their geographic en-dowments.While geographic endowments are difficult to change in the short term,techno-logical advancements can reshape the production modes of society's core wealth,thereby giving them new significance.The structural constraints imposed by geographical endow-ments,combined with a nation's niche construction behavior,create the geopolitical distri-bution of power structures in different eras.In the agricultural era,arable land was the key resource,with actors seeking land power to control fertile territories.In the industrial era,machinery and raw materials were paramount,leading to sea power dominance.In the post-industrial era,digital resources like data and algorithms have become crucial,with digital power driving wealth creation.Faced with new technological revolutions,China must con-tinuously adjust its geopolitical strategy in response to changes in technology and develop new quality productive forces to shape a favorable geopolitical environment.