Seapower2

As mentioned last week, seapower is the sum of a nation’s capabilities to utilize the sea for political, economic, and military use to achieve national interest in peace or in war.  Now, what are these elements or sources that constitute seapower?  Based from Sir Alfred Thayer Mahan, a contemporary naval strategist, these capabilities are as follows:

a.       maritime community – citizens have the affinity to maritime (sea) life or must be a seafaring nation.

b.      resources – countries business and economic agenda are towards maritime.

c.       style of government – fondness to maritime laws and policies.

d.      geography – strategically located in a maritime region. Also, a coastal state.

e.      merchant fleet – must have a strong and able merchant ships that could be called anytime they are needed.

f.        bases – ports and harbours are essential for logistics

g.       fighting instruments – strong and capable navy.

Recently, Geoffrey Till, a modern naval strategist, has added technology as an indispensable instrument of seapower.

By looking at these instruments, could we consider the Philippines as a seapower nation?  Where thus our strength lies? Which of these instruments do you think is our weakest link?