Abstract:
Some geographical areas, in order to prevent the possibility of direct contact and conflict
between rival powers, often by mutual or unilateral agreements, function as buffer spaces.
These powers are then committed not to trespass on any spaces or take control of them.
Buffers as geographical phenomena are as old as mankind, but there have been no academic
studies on the subject so far, and only some brief scientific definitions of "buffer states" have
been proposed by scientists without dealing with their nature, features and usages. On the
other hand, "buffer geographical space" was first used by the authors of this study without
prior inclusion in geographical, political and international studies.
Rivalry of two powers and existence of a weak space between them with strategic
importance for them shifts their attention to this space and a rivalry emerges between them
in controlling and maintaining it. Also, such spaces are zones for the incidence of overt and
covert rivalries between these powers. Problems that countries, like Lebanon, Iran, Iraq,
Korea, Afghanistan and Cambodia in Asia, Poland and Belgium in Europe, Uruguay,
Nicaragua, in Central America in the twentieth century, have faced or sometimes they still
face. Current study, based on descriptive – analytical method, seeks to understand and
explain the nature and structural-functional characteristics of buffer spaces.
Machine summary:
Explanation of the Structural and Functional Characteristics of Geographical Buffer Spaces Mohammad Reza Hafeznia*- Full Professor of Political Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Syrus Ahmadi- Ph. D Student of Political Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Bernard Hourcad- Full Professor of Geography, CNRS, Paris, France Received: 25/06/2012 Accepted: 05/12/2012 _________________________________________________________________________ Abstract Some geographical areas, in order to prevent the possibility of direct contact and conflict between rival powers, often by mutual or unilateral agreements, function as buffer spaces.
Authors’ definition of buffer space According to the provided discussions, following definition of buffer space can be provided: "Geographical space has one or more independent political units, but neutral, that is lying between two or more competing powers or their sphere of influence or between rival or greater power blocks and separates these two and reduces the conflict in a way that they have agreed on its buffer situation.
Acceptance of buffer space by powers “Buffer states owe their existence to the location of two or more politically or militarily powerful spheres of influence within close proximity to each other and that these opposing powers, in an effort to maintain peace, may cooperate in the establishment of an independent state to separate their interests” (Ingalls,1986: 234)(Mathisen, 1971:109).
On one hand, Spykman, Knudsen, Chay, Partem, du Spigleire, Rondeli and others emphasize that the buffer state must be completely independent and neutral and it cannot be a part of the defense system of a powerful country or its sphere of influence.