As in Joseph Schumpeters theory of imperialism and Alfred Vagtss inter.

Mahan was not able to envision air power, space power, or information dominance as critical elements of national power. 28 Michael Epkenhans: Seemacht Weltmacht. Mahan was the son of a professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. The global dominance of the United States today is a direct result of our adherence to his principles. Alfred Thayer Mahan, (born September 27, 1840, West Point, New York, U.S.died December 1, 1914, Quogue, New York), American naval officer and historian who was a highly influential exponent of sea power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Mahan’s theory of Sea power has been applied to quantify the developments made by China. The criticisms of Mahans sole focus on sea power are valid, but it is important to understand that his requirements for the success of a nation and the principles upon which he based his writings on Sea Power are just as essential today. In many cases this commentary drew on the writings of an American naval theorist, Alfred Thayer Mahan. They opportunely published their writings during the zenith of British power, which was built primarily upon the British Navy. The elements of national power that are important today had not yet been invented in his time and were perhaps only envisioned by science fiction writers. Alfred Thayer Mahan and Sir Julian Corbett are viewed in many circles as the fathers of sea power theory and maritime theory. But Mahan wrote about what many considered to be the most important element of national power during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote in 1912, as the preeminent naval strategist of his time, that force is never more operative than when it is known to exist but is not brandished. He has often been criticized for his focus on sea power to the exclusion of all other forms of national power. Many of these questions Corbett, American naval thinker Alfred Mahan, and the founding father of the scientific study of naval history, Professor John Laughton, have tackled repeatedly in the past. He set forth three requirements that were necessary for the success of a nation production, shipping, and colonies and six principal conditions that affect a nations sea power geographical position, physical conformation, extent of territory, size of the population, character of the people, and character of the government. Mahan 1840-1914 wrote in an era of technological change, but he always believed that the importance of sea power would remain unchanged. He believed that a nations greatness was linked to sea power, by protecting ones sea lanes for trade and controlling those of other countries and choking.

Alfred t mahan theory