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China Goes to Sea: Maritime Transformation in Comparative Historical Perspective
Author(s): Cary Lord (Editor), Lyle Goldstein (Editor), Andrew S. Erickson (Editor)
- Publisher: Naval Institute Press
- Publication Date: 15 July 2009
- Language: English
- Print length: 464 pages
- ISBN-10: 1591142423
- ISBN-13: 9781591142423
Book Description
In modern history, China has been primarily a land power, dominating smaller states along its massive continental flanks. Now, China’s turn toward the sea is very much a reality, as evident in its stunning rise in global shipbuilding markets, expanding merchant marine, the wide offshore reach of its energy and minerals exploration companies, and indeed its increasingly modern navy. Yet, for all these achievements, there is still profound skepticism regarding China’s potential as a genuine maritime power. Beijing must still import the most vital subcomponents for its shipyards, maritime governance remains severely bureaucratically challenged, and the navy evinces, at least as of yet, little enthusiasm for significant blue water power projection capabilities. However, China is hardly the only land power in history to attempt transformation by fostering sea power in order to safeguard their strategic position or advance their interests. This critique examines cases of attempted transformation from the Persian Empire to the Soviet Union, and determines the reasons for their success or failure. China Goes to Sea provides reason to believe that China has turned the corner on a genuine maritime transformation – something if indeed true, could be one of the most influential global developments in the history of the last two millennia. About the Author Andrew S. Erickson is Assistant Professor in the Strategic Research Department at the U.S. Naval War College and founding member of the dept’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI).
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Carnes Lord is professor of naval and military strategy at the U.S. Naval War College and editor of the Naval War College Press. His books include The Modern Prince: What Leaders Need to Know Now (2003) and Losing Hearts and Minds: Public Diplomacy and Strategic Influence in the Age of Terror (2006).
Lyle J. Goldstein is Associate Professor of Strategic Studies, and the founding director of the U.S. Navy’s China Maritime Studies Institute. He is proficient in Chinese and Russian, and has published widely in scholarly journals on China, Russia, Central Asia, and surface and undersea warfare.
Andrew S. Erickson is a professor and specialist on China in the Strategic Research Department at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI, and a founding member of the Navy’s China Maritime Studies Institute.
