David Blagden, a doctoral candidate in DPIR, has published a debate with Professor Jack Levy (Rutgers University) and Professor William Thompson (Indiana University)—both former presidents of the International Studies Association—in the journal International Security.

The article examines the differences between sea and land powers in provoking counter-balancing alliances, and takes the form of an exchange between David and Professors Levy and Thompson over the latter two’s previous work on the subject.  David argues that many of the differences that Professors Levy and Thompson identify in the behaviour of—and reaction towards—leading sea powers owe as much to such states’ geographical insularity as to their focus on naval strength.  He also argues that their original findings have greater significance for arguments about the strategic postures of major maritime powers—such as the United States and the United Kingdom—than is presently recognised.

The exchange, entitled ‘Correspondence: Sea Powers, Continental Powers, and Balancing Theory,’ can be read in International Security’s Fall 2011 issue (volume 36, number 2), pp. 190–202.  International Security is one of the two most cited journals in academic international relations, and has been the leading journal in the security studies sub-field since its first publication in 1976.