Seapower

24 Pages Posted: 12 May 2021

See all articles by Mark Koyama

Mark Koyama

George Mason University - Department of Economics; George Mason University - Mercatus Center

Ahmed Rahman

Lehigh University - Department of Economics

Tuan-Hwee Sng

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Economics

Date Written: April 4, 2021

Abstract

How does sea power differ from land power? We introduce a formal model that explains several characteristics of sea power. Specifically, sea power is more highly concentrated than land power; it follows cycles; and is characterized by periodic intensification of arms competition. We account for these features in terms of the high fixed costs and the capital intensive nature of naval warfare. We find empirical support for our model using a newly digitized dataset of over two dozen navies during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Keywords: Seapower, Conflict, Formal Theory

Suggested Citation

Koyama, Mark and Rahman, Ahmed and Sng, Tuan-Hwee, Seapower (April 4, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3841750 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3841750

Mark Koyama (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

HOME PAGE: http://mason.gmu.edu/~mkoyama2/About.html

George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )

3434 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

Ahmed Rahman

Lehigh University - Department of Economics ( email )

620 Taylor Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
United States

Tuan-Hwee Sng

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Economics ( email )

AS2 Level 6, 1 Arts Link
Singapore, Singapore 117570
Singapore

HOME PAGE: http://profile.nus.edu.sg/fass/ecssth/stf_ecssth.htm

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