Mahanian Political Doctrine in South Asia

摘要

The contesting maritime claims and conflicted sea-lanes along with unyielding clashes over key water paths, main straits, major canals and important ports always remind about the significance of Mahanian political model in international politics. The doctrinal attributes of Mahanian model enunciates an undeniable role of sea power in strategic clashes of great powers. As a proponent of sea power under oceanic politics, Alfred Thayer Mahan supports the notion of naval supremacy for economic dominance through the seas. As a US naval admiral and one of the prominent strategists of nineteenth century, Mahan became the father of modern naval warfare. The advancement of modern naval strategies and development of strong naval muscles under Blue - Water school are formalized by Alfred Mahan. Mahan's intellectual propositions emphasise the role of a robust naval force in world politics. He prefers the role of maritime power over land power by highlighting the essence of battleships in effecting the outcomes of wars. Mahan's ascendency in naval school of thought focuses on significance of the state's strong maritime position in international system. A systematic examination of Mahan's intellect and its application on contemporary world politics leads the debate toward China's emerging role in the world affairs. The idea of developing navies in the seas and nations in the oceans to influence the oceanic politics refers to a strong naval leadership which could not only help a state to defend its commerce in the sea but it also empowers the state to counterbalance its rivals in the waters. The adherence to Mahan's doctrine of sea power has become an enduring feature of world politics in which the evolving models of power politics in international relations are still revolving the role of unbroken oceans and connecting seas. The importance of seas in strategic calculations of states reflects the influence of Mahan in strategic thinking of leaders.