FUNDAMENTAL LESSONS IN THE WORK OF MAHAN

FROM GEOGRAPHICAL DETERMINISM TO THE COMMERCIAL SPIRIT

Abstract

Alfred Mahan is regarded as one of the main exponents of naval strategy
in operational and tactical terms. But underlying these considerations,
his work contains other important messages about the creation of naval
power that should not be eclipsed by them, beginning with the role
of geography, which, although not decisive when it comes to selecting
major global powers, can nonetheless play a key role by ruling out
certain states. However, these precepts vouch for a strategist concerned
with issues of a sociological, economic and political nature, which
he translates into conditions enabling ultimate military success, thus
escaping the temptation of determinism.