Bose, Himadri creator text Journal of Defiance Studies monographic eng

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15(1), Jan-Mar, 2021: p.27-52 Historically, navies have been employed for the conduct of trade warfare. However, naval discourse on the subject has ranged from advocacy as prime employment of naval power to relegation as a secondary role that is best avoided. World Wars I and II witnessed wide-ranging application of trade warfare with varying degrees of success. Global seaborne trade has transformed significantly since the great wars, with large merchant fleets servicing an interconnected and globalised trading system. Furthermore, the contours of merchant shipping have altered in terms of the large numbers and size of merchant vessels, registry under flag of convenience nations and diverse forms of trading. In recognition of the prospects of a conflict, most nations have also developed large strategic reserves of resources. Examination of the history of trade warfare brings to fore that the effects of a trade warfare campaign are difficult to gauge and manifest themselves after a prolonged duration. These factors, amongst others, question the relevance of navies pursuing a trade warfare strategy at the cost of naval resources that could be allocated to other naval tasks in a conflict. The article examines arguments for and against the conduct of maritime trade warfare in the twenty-first century and distils possible answers for its conduct. – Reproduced Journal of Defiance Studies 210928