ABSTRACT
Chapters 5, 7 and 11 address the strategic dimension of Soviet naval doctrine. A study along similar lines is Barry R. Posen’s book on the developments of French, British and German military doctrines between the world wars. Posen investigates how such factors as the distribution of power in the international system, technological progress, geography or the organizational interests of the military shape the formulation of doctrine. As a key factor when a state decides what mission to give to its armed forces, Posen emphasizes the (perceived) balance of power in relation to possible adversaries. States with revisionist and expansionist foreign policy aims, like Nazi Germany, are likely to develop offensive military doctrines. States seeking to preserve the status quo in the international system – like France and Britain before World War II – tend to adopt defensive or deterrent doctrines. As a rule, a feeling of temporary superiority also seems to inspire an offensive doctrine.
