RE-Globalisation: Global Sea Trade and US Hegemony By Araka Okolieaboh
Introduction:
The following report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global sea trade outlook, emphasizing the strategic importance of re-globalization and U.S. global hegemony within the framework of defensive realism and national security strategy.
Key Observations:
Strategic Control: The U.S. demonstrates a clear intent to deepen its control over crucial maritime regions, including the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Suez Canal, and the Horn of Africa. This strategic positioning underscores America’s commitment to maintaining dominance in vital sea lanes.
Global Hegemony: Success in consolidating control over key maritime routes suggests that the U.S. is poised to sustain its global hegemony. By neutralizing potential regional hegemons, the U.S. aims to prolong the so-called “American Century” despite the end of globalization and the onset of re-globalization.
Regional Dynamics: While globalization may have ceased, regionalization is emerging as a significant trend, with Israel asserting control over West Asia. However, the U.S. remains the primary regional hegemon globally, enabling it to conduct military operations in the proximity of potential challengers such as China, Russia, and Iran.
Analysis:
Defensive Realism and National Security Strategy: Defensive realism provides a lens through which to understand the U.S.’s maritime policies. The pursuit of strategic control over critical sea routes aligns with defensive realist principles, wherein states seek to ensure their security and survival in an anarchic international system.
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Hegemonic Stability Theory: The U.S.’s efforts to maintain hegemony in maritime domains align with hegemonic stability theory, which posits that a single dominant power can foster stability and facilitate economic exchange. By securing sea trade routes, the U.S. seeks to uphold global economic stability and reinforce its position as the preeminent global power.
Strategic Implications:
Economic Security: Control over global sea trade routes ensures the U.S.’s economic security by safeguarding the flow of goods and resources critical to its economy and those of its allies.
Military Preeminence: Dominance in maritime domains enhances the U.S.’s military preeminence, enabling it to project power and influence across the globe. This capability strengthens America’s deterrence posture against potential adversaries.
Geopolitical Influence: U.S. control over strategic maritime chokepoints affords it significant geopolitical leverage, allowing it to shape regional dynamics and counter the influence of rival powers.
Conclusion:
The strategic importance of global sea trade and maritime security cannot be overstated, particularly in the context of re-globalization and the persistence of U.S. global hegemony. By leveraging defensive realism and national security strategy, the U.S. aims to consolidate its position as the dominant maritime power, ensuring economic prosperity, military superiority, and geopolitical influence in an evolving international landscape.
Recommendations:
Continuously monitor developments in key maritime regions to anticipate potential challenges to U.S. hegemony.
Strengthen alliances and partnerships with like-minded maritime powers to reinforce collective maritime security efforts.
Invest in advanced naval capabilities and infrastructure to maintain technological superiority and strategic dominance in maritime domains.
Okolieaboh Araka, CMC, FIMC.
Chief Sustainability Officer & Risk Intelligence Analyst,
African Silesian Business Hub, Katowice, Poland. He is also at Faculty of Applied Sciences, WSB University, Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland.
