Interpreting Naval Power In Indo-Pacific:A Longue Duree Structure

This study is focused on developing a theoretical framework to interpret the idea of naval power in Indo-Pacific within a longue duree structure.Indo-Pacific has been articulated as a strategic concept for guiding foreign policy and military strategy by major powers in the Indian and Pacific Ocean since 2007.This thesis attempts to look at this concept from a ―historical time‖ perspective and intends to contribute at a theoretical level understanding and explanation of myriad of political conflicts that occur in Indo-Pacific.From a theoretical perspective,while spatiality(space)has been a well-studied aspect of the research problem under consideration,this study attempts to integrate the idea of temporality(time).An integrated notion(historical)of spacetime is advanced as a strategic theory to interpret naval power in Indo-Pacific.Chapter 1: IntroductionThe introductory chapter relates the idea of sea(naval)power to international relations and underscores the importance of maritime domain in the conduct of international politics.It further clarifies why such an approach is suited to enhance our understanding of world politics which has become global since the late fifteenth century.A historical outline of transformative changes that have occurred in world politics due enhanced inclusion of maritime domain provides the background in which to access the strategic concept and context of Indo-Pacific.This introductory chapter further articulates the importance,rationale and scope of this study and a broad summary of the following chapters on methodology and synthesis.Chapter 2: Research MethodologyThis chapter is focused on tracing the epistemological and ontological aspects of strategic thinking as a social science in general and summarizes the limited value of a research methods adopted by international relations theory – positivism.A general critique of in vogue research methods is proposed along with literature review of various interrelated fields of enquiry such as ―international history‖,―geopolitics‖,and ―theories of international relations‖.The idea of ―longue-duree‖ and ―strategic culture‖ is then introduced as a framework and operational concepts for enquiry respectively.Having reviewed the various schools of strategic thinking,this chapter defines strategic culture in terms of integrated notions of space-time,and understands the concepts of space-time as social and therefore underscoring the role of subjectiveness.In general the research methodology adopted for this study decodes the strategic concept of Indo-Pacific from the view of art more than science.Chapter 3: The Idea of Indo-PacificThis chapter presents the ideational aspects of the strategic concept of IndoPacific defined in terms of geographical reality,but interpreted as a geographical perception.Indo-Pacific is a strategic concept that’s reflective of environmental determinism.This chapter further articulates this concept as having precedence and an outcome of the historical relationship between sea-land domains.The historical structure of Indian Ocean is further explored to appreciate it the idea of Indo-Pacific from a geographical perspective.Chapter 4: The Idea of Naval PowerBased on the research method adopted for this study,this chapter defines naval power in non-materialistic terms as the historical relationship between sea-land that accumulates power and being consequential to national destiny.This chapter further distinguishes naval power not only from other domains of power such as land and air,but also as a sub-set of geography which remains a historical constant.Its importance is further underscored by the fact that the hegemons of the preceding two centuries have been maritime powers.The idea of naval power(sea)is explored from its contrast with the continental power(land)to derive a historical relation between the two.Chapter 5: Alliance StructureThis chapter summarizes the previous two chapters in terms its impact on the alliance structure that makes for the world order.In order to ground the study in empirical terms formation of alliances in between maritime and continental powers during the twentieth century is considered.It is hypothesized that a constant theme of alliance building is the denial of a continental power on the Eurasian landmass from acquiring a maritime fleet.In this regard the idea of Indo-Pacific is attributed to be a maritime alliance in making.Chapter 6: ConclusionThis final concluding chapter puts forth a comprehensive model for interpreting naval power within a longue duree structure.It summarizes the historical relation in between sea-land in long term along with the structural impact it has had for the international system.Key concepts of naval power understood in terms of strategic culture underscores the subjectiveness of the structure.The idea of space-time is further underscored in order to mark the transformative phases of naval power that distinguishes one phase from the other.The longue structure put forward helps in understanding and explaining naval power in past,present,and future.It concludes that the evolution of the idea of Indo-Pacific arises due the multi-polar naval power in the world.The strategic concept of Indo-Pacific is an organizing principle for maritime powers to preserve the existing maritime structure of the world order.