A
pan-region is a geographic region or state's sphere of economic, political and cultural influence extending beyond that state's borders. For example, the pan-region of the United States of America (US) regions both bordering the US and its close neighbours including,
Canada,
Mexico, and many other
South American states.
Origin of term
The idea of pan-regions or spheres of economic and cultural influence was first developed by Karl Ernst Haushofer (August 27, 1869 – March 10, 1946), a German general,
geographer and
Geopolitics. Pan-regions contributed to Geopolitic or the German theories of
foreign policy during the
interwar period (1918–1939) or the time from the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II. Haushofer's pan-regions divided the world under three supreme leading states in
economy,
politics and
culture. Those three states included the USA who controlled
North America and much of South America,
Germany who controlled
Europe, much of
Africa and
western Asia and
Japan who controlled central, eastern, and the islands of southern Asia. These leading states could expect their regions to develop economic and political alliance with their leading state as well as yield to sanctions and major cultural designations.
Historical examples
Historically, the world was divided into three spheres of control; however, after the end of World War II, Germany and Japan's control over their various regions have diminished with the success of other nations. For example, German control over Europe has suffered with the development of the
Union and emergence of other foreign powers. Japan also is beginning to lose economic dominance over its pan-region with the emergence of a thriving
Chinese economy.
[Taylor, Peter, and Colin Flint. Political Geography World, Economy, Nation, State and Locality (4th Edition). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1999.]
