Geopolitics of Speed: Towards a Theodromic Approach for the Study of Power and Temporal Sovereignty in the Contemporary Global System

Author: Cristhian Mauricio Beltrán Calderón: Date: November 2025, Zenodo DOI (English version): 10.5281/zenodo.17461342, Zenodo DOI (Spanish version): 10.5281/zenodo.17451757. This article establishes the theoretical-methodological foundations for the systematic integration of the temporal variable operationalized as speed into the analytical framework of geopolitics. Starting from the identification of limitations in traditional approaches focused exclusively on space, we develop the theodromic approach (from the Greek theōria, 'contemplation', and dromos, 'race') as a necessary synthesis that captures the essence of an analysis that is both reflective and dynamic. This framework critically integrates dromology (Virilio, 1977), social acceleration (Rosa, 2013), and complex systems theory (Cederman, 1997; Urry, 2005) to analyze what we define as pluridimensional Temporal Sovereignty: the capacity of any actor (state, non-state, peripheral, or central) to exercise autonomy over its internal temporal dimensions, whether through competitive acceleration, defensive deceleration, or alternative synchronization within a context of asymmetric global acceleration. The proposed methodology combines quantitative techniques (time series analysis, network modeling, DEA) with qualitative ones (ACD, Foucauldian genealogy). The central validated hypothesis is that flowing theodromic advantage can compensate for and even temporarily overcome stock advantages in critical windows, and that defensive and resistant temporal sovereignties are viable strategies for non-hegemonic actors. Finally, it introduces novel constructs such as the EOT, differentiated ICT, Chrono-chokepoint, and CFT, establishing a prospective research agenda.