Learning from the Royal Navy: Lessons for the USN on Sea Power Politics
U.S. Centre for Maritime Strategy paper April 2025
My most recent publication at the Center for Maritime Strategy is titled ‘Learning from the Royal Navy: Lessons for the USN on Sea Power Politics’, published on April 29, 2025, in ‘The MOC’, the center’s online journal.
In this article, I examine the historical and strategic parallels between the United States Navy (USN) and the British Royal Navy (RN). He explores how the RN's experiences in navigating political, cultural, and institutional challenges can offer valuable insights for the USN. Dr. Smith emphasises the importance of understanding the political dimensions of sea power and the necessity for the USN to adapt its strategies in light of these lessons.
This publication continues my exploration of maritime strategy, building upon previous work, such as the November 2024 ‘To Provide and Maintain a Navy Is Not Enough: Making the Case for American Sea Power Requires More’ where I argued for a more comprehensive approach to American naval strategy beyond constitutional mandates.
For those interested in a deeper dive into Dr. Smith's analysis, the full article is available on the Center for Maritime Strategy's website.
For students and researchers:
Dr. James W.E. Smith has contributed several insightful articles to ‘The MOC’, the online journal of the Center for Maritime Strategy, focusing on the interplay between historical maritime strategies and contemporary naval challenges. His works emphasize the importance of integrating historical lessons into modern naval strategy and policy.
Key Themes in Dr. Smith’s MOC Publications
1. ‘Learning from the Royal Navy: Lessons for the USN on Sea Power Politics’
In this article, Dr. Smith examines the historical and strategic parallels between the United States Navy (USN) and the British Royal Navy (RN). He explores how the RN's experiences in navigating political, cultural, and institutional challenges can offer valuable insights for the USN. Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of understanding the political dimensions of sea power and the necessity for the USN to adapt its strategies in light of these lessons.
2. ‘To Provide and Maintain a Navy’ Is Not Enough: Making the Case for American Sea Power Requires More’
Dr. Smith argues that the constitutional mandate to "provide and maintain a Navy" is insufficient for addressing the complexities of modern maritime challenges. He advocates for a more comprehensive approach to American naval strategy that goes beyond constitutional mandates, emphasizing the need for a robust and adaptable maritime strategy informed by historical precedent and strategic foresight.
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Dr. Smith's contributions to ‘The MOC’ underscore the necessity of integrating historical maritime wisdom into current naval strategy and policy. By drawing parallels between past and present, he provides a nuanced perspective on the challenges facing modern navies and the strategic imperatives required to address them.