SEAPOWER AND SUPERPOWER: THE SOVIET NAVY IN THE WORLD OCEAN (GORSHKOV, MAHAN; USSR)

This dissertation closely examines the concept of "seapower" and establishes the global role of the Soviet Navy, using the U.S. Navy as a standard of comparison. Chapter I defines key seapower terms, discusses seapower definitions of Alfred Thayer Mahan and Adm. Sergei G. Gorshkov, and describes unique features of seapower pertinent to the superpower navies. Chapter II discusses strategic concepts in designing state seapower, including the function of threat and risk assessment. It examines Soviet-U.S. seapower expansion from standpoints of the Graham Allison Rational Policy, Organizational Process, and Bureaucratic Politics models. Chapter III describes influences of maritime geography on seapower, while discussing the severe geographic handicaps the Soviet Navy faces. It discusses ways both superpowers are alleviating adverse geographic effects through technologic, policy, legal, and economic means.; Chapter IV compares the seapower thought of Mahan and Gorshkov. It discusses seapower concepts of "components" or "elements," fleet against fleet and fleet against shore, "control of the sea," and gospodstvo na more (dominance at sea). Chapter V defines "seapower presence" and analyzes some relevant models: "gunboat diplomacy" (James Cable), "naval presence" (Stansfield Turner), "naval diplomacy" (Brad Dismukes and James McConnell), and "the protection of state interests" (Gorshkov). It uses an equation to compare Soviet-U.S. seapower presence strengths and weaknesses. Chapter VI examines the Law of the Sea and other legal influences on seapower, noting that law is, paradoxically, eroding seapower through restricting its mobility and access, while generating grounds for increased oceanic dispute. It notes that superpower oceanic legal interests have considerable similarities, general and specific.; Chapter VII discussed views of Soviet strategists Sokolovskiy, Grechko, and Gorshkov on Soviet Navy strategy and missions. It defines these missions as strategic strike, strategic defense, dominance at sea, maritime interdiction, protection of shipping, support of ground forces, and seapower presence. It compares them with U.S. Navy missions. Chapter VIII postulates continuing Soviet-U.S. World Ocean competition into the twenty-first century. It discussses such future trends as expanding internationalism, increasing oceanic legal complexities, and accelerating development of new technologies useful in the World Ocean.