Sea power as a dominant paradigm: the rise of China’s new strategic identity

Abstract

Background: The current body of literature on China’s maritime expansion has, on most occasions, approached this phenomenon from the perspective of realism and materialistic interpretations. However, seminal works accomplished by authors such as Ross or Heginbotham show that realist approaches cannot entirely account for China’s quest for a sea power identity. It is thus surprising that relatively little attention was paid to the role of strategic identity in China’s desire to change its strategic paradigm. Purpose: Drawing from the works of Wendt and other constructivists on identity, as well as from the literature on strategic culture, this article attempts to show how and why a continental power, in this instance China, would seek to morph into a sea power and come to view sea power as a dominant strategic paradigm. Main Argument: In order to do so, the argumentation follows three steps. First, I examine earlier historical accounts of sea power being actively promoted as a dominant paradigm. Second, I consider China’s characteristics as a continental power. Third, I offer a depiction of the processed change of China’s strategic identity. Conclusion: As a conclusion, this article unveils several implications. In particular, it insists on how sea power as an identity can become a nexus of contention between an established sea power and a continental power seeking to become a sea power, transcending the traditional opposition of sea power and continental power. The conclusion also presents several caveats as starting points for future researches.