A study of the political utility of navies not only in past wars and possible future wars but also in the "violent peace" of the modern era. It looks at their use in gunboat diplomacy, showing the flag, policing coastlines and tackling pirates and terrorists. Naval arms control is also discussed.
Introduction - Total War at Sea - Limited War at Sea - Proxy War at Sea - The Persistence of Gunboat Diplomacy - Gunboat Diplomacy in the Eighties and Beyond - Showing the Flag - Estate Management at Sea - Piracy and Terrorism at Sea - Who Needs Ocean Going Navies? - Arms Control at Sea - Notes and References - Select Bibliography - Index
