It is not only a means of letting others communicate but also a great power in international politics. English, particularly, has become nearly the language of diplomacy, global business and global governance. This is not an accident but is the product of history, economics, and politics shaping the contemporary world, not the reverse. Moreover, English works as a bridge and a barrier in geopolitics, where powers clash and compete for influence and lordship to condition diplomatic relations, international laws, and world narratives. It examines the aspects of English geopolitics, where that role originates from, how it shapes international relations, and the setbacks it can face in a changing world.

The Geopolitical supremacy of English is derived from two things in history:

British Imperialism and the Global Spread of English

The British Empire stretched over Asia, Africa and the Americas, and it has much to answer for in making English a world language. As British power expanded, English became the primary language of administration, commerce, and education in most colonies; even during decolonisation, most former colonies retained English as an official or second language, ensuring its geopolitical safety.

The Role of the United States

The fall of the British Empire brought forth the rise of the United States of America as a world superpower, particularly following World War II. This had aided in the positioning of English as a world language through:

Political Influence: As a member-founder of the United Nations (UN), NATO, and other such organizations, English became an important working language in global administration.

Economic Dominance: The dollar, multinational corporations, and Wall Street dominance made English the language of international commerce.

Cultural Influence: Hollywood, popular American culture, and the Internet introduced English to the world not only as a popular language but also as a language of the Internet.

These events were a preamble to what one might expect to make English the language of international relations worldwide.

Most of the major international institutions operate in English, such as:

The UN: While the United Nations (UN) has adopted six official languages, including English, French,

Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic, English is the leading language in resolution, diplomatic negotiation and official reports.

European Union (EU): Apart from the Brexit clause, English is a language of business and diplomacy at all EU institutions.

NATO and World Trade Organization (WTO): English is the working language for military planning, trade policy, and policy debate.

The English-Speaking World’s Geopolitical Advantage

The official languages of countries where English is a first language are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Since politicians and diplomats from these countries do not face foreign-related challenges as frequently as others worldwide, they have a distinct advantage: these countries are diplomatically stronger.

Amna Imran Student of International Relations in National Defence University, Islamabad

amnaimran540@gmail.com