Charting the New Frontiers: Unveiling the Ascendancy Theory

Remember when the world was flat? Not literally, of course—but there was a time when global power was measured by land armies and naval fleets. Back then, the nations with the most territory or the biggest navy dictated the rules. Fast forward to today, and the rules have changed completely. Satellites orchestrate global communications, cyberattacks disrupt economies overnight, and private companies are building rockets faster than governments can regulate them. The old geopolitical playbooks simply don’t work in this new game.

We’re living in a world undergoing a seismic shift in power dynamics, yet most people are navigating these changes with outdated maps. It’s like trying to use a flip phone in the era of smartphones—it might technically get the job done, but you’re missing out on the real potential.

That’s why I developed the Ascendency Theory, a framework designed to help us make sense of this evolving world. It focuses on three critical domains that are reshaping geopolitics: space, cyberspace, and private capital. These aren’t just emerging fields; they are becoming the pillars of 21st-century power. Let me explain why.

From Sea to Space: The Next Domain of Dominance

When I was a kid, space was the final frontier. It was a realm of wonder—filled with astronauts, sci-fi adventures, and dreams of walking on the Moon. Today, it’s becoming the next battleground for supremacy. But this time, the stakes are even higher. Controlling space isn’t just about national pride; it’s about securing the foundations of global power.

Take satellites, for example. They’re the unsung heroes of modern life. They power the GPS we use to navigate, enable global communication networks, and even stream the shows we binge-watch. Militarily, they’re critical for surveillance, communication, and coordination. Without satellites, the infrastructure underpinning our economies and national security would collapse.

Then there’s the competition for orbital real estate. Prime locations like geostationary orbits are as valuable as beachfront property—they allow satellites to hover over a fixed spot on Earth, making them indispensable for communication and weather monitoring. Countries and companies are scrambling for these slots, much like the territorial land grabs of centuries past.

And let’s not forget the latest gold rush. The Moon and asteroids hold resources like Helium-3 and rare earth metals—materials that could upend global markets if mined effectively. The first nation or company to crack the code of space mining could rewrite the rules of economic power. It’s the California Gold Rush all over again, but this time, the stakes are cosmic.

Space is no longer just a frontier; it’s the ultimate high ground in a new era of geopolitical competition.

Cyberspace: The Digital Heartland

While space might be the new high ground, cyberspace has become the digital heartland—a domain where nations compete fiercely and often invisibly.

Cyber warfare is no longer the stuff of sci-fi movies; it’s a daily reality. From hacking government systems to manipulating social media during elections, the digital battlefield has expanded beyond the confines of traditional warfare. The players range from rogue hackers to nation-states, each vying for control over the invisible threads that connect our world.

But cyberspace isn’t just a battleground; it’s an economic engine. Data has become the new oil, fueling innovation, driving economies, and shaping societies. Companies that dominate data collection and analysis wield enormous power, and nations are racing to assert their control over this digital treasure.

At the same time, cybersecurity has become the digital shield that protects our infrastructure. A single cyber-attack can cripple a nation’s energy grid, steal billions of dollars, or compromise military secrets. Securing cyberspace isn’t optional; it’s existential.

Control over cyberspace means control over the future, making it as central to global power today as the Heartland was in Halford Mackinder’s time.

Private Capital: The New Geopolitical Force Underpinning It All

As transformative as space and cyberspace are, the third domain of power might be the most surprising: private capital.

In the past, only governments had the resources to drive major technological advancements. But today, private companies aren’t just participants; they’re leaders. Look at SpaceX, which has revolutionized space travel with reusable rockets, or tech firms pushing the boundaries of AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology. These companies are innovating at speeds that governments can’t match.

And with this innovation comes influence. Private corporations are now shaping national policies, especially when their technologies are critical to a nation’s interests. They’re not just policy takers; they’re policy shapers.

Venture capital, in particular, has become a force multiplier. By funding cutting-edge startups, it accelerates technological progress, which in turn reshapes global power dynamics. Private capital is no longer just an economic tool; it’s a geopolitical player, capable of driving innovation that governments rely on to maintain their competitive edge.

Bridging the Old with the New

The Ascendency Theory doesn’t reject classical geopolitical theories; it builds on them, updating their insights for the modern era.

Alfred Thayer Mahan, for example, emphasized the importance of naval power. Today, space is the new sea, and the nations that control orbital infrastructure hold the equivalent of 19th-century maritime dominance.

Halford Mackinder’s Heartland theory spoke of Eurasia as the key to global power. In the 21st century, cyberspace is that heartland—a central domain where control equates to influence on a global scale.

And Nicholas Spykman’s Rimland theory, which focused on the coastal fringes, has its modern counterpart in what I call the Digital Rimland—the peripheral technologies and platforms that, when controlled, offer significant strategic advantages to both space and cyberspace.

If these theorists were alive today, I like to think they’d be early adopters of the Ascendency Theory, recognizing its ability to adapt their timeless insights to an era dominated by technology.

Why This Matters

Understanding the Ascendency Theory isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it’s a practical tool for navigating the future.

For policymakers, it underscores the urgency of investing in space and cyber infrastructures—not as luxuries, but as necessities for national security and economic resilience.

For businesses, it’s a reminder that innovation in these domains isn’t just profitable—it’s transformative. Companies that lead in space, cyberspace, or the technologies they enable won’t just shape markets; they’ll shape the global order.

And for individuals, it’s about awareness. Understanding these dynamics can guide your career, your investments, and even how you consume information in a world where the boundaries between physical and virtual are increasingly blurred.

Looking Ahead

The world is changing faster than ever. Space, cyberspace, and private capital are reshaping the rules of global power, blurring the lines between physical and digital realms. The Ascendency Theory provides a lens to understand these changes—a roadmap for navigating the complexities of geopolitics, technology, and economics in the 21st century.

But this theory isn’t meant to sit on a shelf. It’s a call to action—to policymakers, business leaders, and individuals alike. So, let’s start the conversation: how do you see these forces shaping our future?

The future is unfolding before us. Let’s make sense of it together.