ABSTRACT

With particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region, this book examines the rise and fall of sea powers.

In the Asia-Pacific region there has been significant expansion of sea-based economies together with burgeoning naval power. Many claim that these processes will transform the world’s future economic and security relationships. The book addresses the question of to what extent the notion of ‘Asia rising’ is reflected by and dependent on its developing sea power. A central theme is the Chinese challenge to long-term Western maritime ascendency and what might be the consequences of this.

In order to situate current and future developments this book includes chapters which analyse what sea power means and has meant, as well as its role, both historic and contemporary, in the rise and fall of great powers.

This book will be of much interest to students of naval power, Asian politics, strategic studies, war and conflict studies, IR and security studies.

chapter |15 pages

Introduction

Sea Power and the Rise and Fall of Empires

part |173 pages

Part I The navies of the Asia-Pacific

chapter |10 pages

Maritime Power and the Asia-Pacific

US Naval Perspectives

chapter |19 pages

China

Its Maritime Traditions and Navy Today

chapter |18 pages

The Evolution of the People's Liberation Army Navy

The Twin Missions of Area-Denial and Peacetime Operations

chapter |19 pages

India's Growing Naval Power

Indian Ocean in Focus

part |3 pages

Part II Transitions

chapter |32 pages

Conclusions

Transitions and futures 1