Mahan in the 21st Century
Abstract
Are the many principles and theories that Alfred Thayer Mahan contributed to naval thought still relevant when considered against the technological changes that have occurred since World War II? The predominant changes involve nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, missile technology, and space. His theories, written in the late 19th century, were used by several nations, including France, Italy, Russia, and Japan, to expand and build their navies. Mahan's approach to his principles was through a historical aspect. He based much of what he theorized on world naval warfare history. Mahan's prescription for the future navies was based on concentration of sea power, capital ships being used in decisive battles, and sea power having a dominate influence on history. How these principles will fare in the nuclear age will be the focus of this discussion. Mahan's principles were intended to transcend all technological changes. This meant that the principles were to apply despite the changes that might occur in such areas as naval propulsion, aircraft, explosives, missile technology, and space technology. It has been argued by those who have studied modern warfare that Mahan's principles are not valid because the modern fleets rarely engage each other in surface action. Today's major surface combatants are primarily concerned with power projection ashore and keeping the sea lanes open, while their biggest threats are submarines, aircraft, missiles, and detection/tracking from space. The emphasis of power projection ashore is a shift in mission from the day that Mahan wrote his theories about sea power, making his theories at least questionable. The author discusses some of his primary principles and applies them to the "violent peace" and high-technology world of today.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 09, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA437611
Entities
People
- W. G. Bowdon
Organizations
- National War College