Geopolitical analysis: From the 15th century to the 21st-century global stage at Casa del Cordón
The Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón, an initiative promoted by the Banco Popular Dominicano, was the setting for a profound discussion titled “Geopolitics in the 15th Century and the 21st Century: An Interpretation of the Why of America.” This academic meeting served as a point of reflection to connect the historical milestones that redefined the world order five centuries ago with the complex geopolitical reality of today.
The event featured the prominent participation of lawyer and business consultant José Eliseo Almánzar and diplomat and international analyst Luis José Polanco. The moderation was led by José Enrique Delmonte, cultural advisor to the center, who guided the specialists on a journey from the Renaissance to the digital age.
The transformation of the world order
The dialogue began by analyzing how, at the end of the 15th century, the need for European powers to secure new trade routes to Asia forced a reconfiguration of their geographical and economic strategies. The arrival on the American continent not only broke the commercial schemes of the Mediterranean, but also gave rise to new centers of power and models of territorial administration that marked the destiny of nations.
More than five centuries after those events, the analysis focused on how technological advances and the challenges of the present demand new interpretations of the international political order and the strategic importance of the Caribbean on this new global board.
Parallels and strategic competition
The panelists highlighted that, just as in the 15th century the control of oceanic routes dictated world hegemony, in the 21st century the struggle for influence is fought on other fronts. Today, competitiveness is defined through:
- Mastery of maritime corridors and global logistics chains.
- Submarine data cable infrastructure.
- Control of vital energy routes.
- Diplomatic influence between major blocs such as the United States, China, and the European Union.
If historically the economic center of gravity shifted from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic after the discovery of America, today the international system is experiencing a transition toward multipolarity, with a marked shift toward the Asia-Pacific region. In this scheme, the Caribbean is once again positioning itself as a nerve center for economic and logistical competition.
About the Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón
This discussion is part of the ongoing agenda of the Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón, an institution committed to the promotion of national heritage and history. Those interested in learning more about its activities can visit its facilities from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., or explore its digital platforms to delve deeper into the topics covered.
