ABSTRACT
Theorists of sea power are often accused, not least by other theorists of sea power, of forming grand abstractions rather than workable strategies. The words deterrence and deterrent seem to be of comparatively recent origin, though deterrent was used adjectivally, in the context of strategy, in the 1930s. Command of the sea is a heavily worn phrase. Its use has been well analysed by Till. It can be summarised by saying that, in the view of all the more thoughtful writers on maritime power, command of the sea is relative and partial rather than absolute and general. The economic uses of the sea consist of trade and commerce on its surface, and exploitation of resources in its depths and subsoil. Sea denial may be a policy embarked upon by any national actor at any stage of a dispute and does not depend on a complementary need for sea use or control.
