Naval Forces Involved In International Crisis Management: A Viable Option?

Sea power is not only a military instrument but also a diplomatic instrument in international politics. The feasibility of using sea power to solve the international crisis lies in the diplomatic function of navy and the special status of navy which is endowed by the law of nations. There are five factors that will affect the government's decision regarding whether it should use sea power to solve international crisis or not. They are natural geographical conditions, the character of crisis, navy and air force, personal factor of decision-maker, geo-politics and geo-economics. The relevant modes of crisis-resolving are cruise or visit, naval wargame, quarantine, war threat. The essence of managing international crises by means of sea power is an effective way to affect the adversary's decision by means of putting military pressure, so as to avoid the crises from worsening as well as to compel the adversary to concede in the negotiation.There is an inherent dilemma when sea power intervenes in the resolving of international crisis. The dual influences of international power politics and domestic bureaucratic politics result in the limited rationality. How can sea power be used as an instrument of diplomacy in international politics? How do states use sea power to solve crisis? What consequence will it lead to? This thesis is designated to answer these questions.