Simone Lawson
Gunboat diplomacy is a term used to describe a country's use of its military power to force other, usually smaller, nations to do its bidding. It is a form of hegemony, an aggressive and showy kind of foreign policy. The term was coined in the 19th century when Western powers rushed to colonise parts of Asia and Africa, and used their naval power to intimidate other nations into granting concessions. Gunboat diplomacy is distinct from defence diplomacy, which is the peaceful application of defence resources to achieve positive outcomes in the development of bilateral and multilateral relationships. Synonyms for gunboat diplomacy include power politics, big stick ideology, power diplomacy, coercive diplomacy, hardball diplomacy, muscle diplomacy, and peaceful negotiations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of diplomacy | Aggressive, coercive, peaceful, military, defence, international |
| Nature | Show of force, threat of force, display of military power |
| Purpose | To pursue foreign policy objectives, change policy of target government, send a political message, establish trade relationships, colonial outposts, expand empire |
| History | Used in the 18th and 19th centuries by Western powers, notably Britain and the US |
| Modern use | Still used in the post-Cold War world, e.g. by the Clinton administration in the Yugoslav Wars |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Gunboat diplomacy is a form of hegemony
Gunboat diplomacy is distinct from "defence diplomacy", which is the peaceful application of defence resources to achieve positive outcomes in the development of bilateral and multilateral relationships. Gunboat diplomacy, on the other hand, involves the use or threat of military force to pursue diplomatic aims. It is a dominant way to establish new trade relationships, colonial outposts, and expand empires.
The effectiveness of gunboat diplomacy lies in the simple demonstration of a nation's projection of force capabilities. This allows nations with naval power and command of the sea to establish military bases and arrange economically advantageous relationships worldwide. For example, in the 18th century, imperial Britain practised gunboat diplomacy across Africa and the Indian subcontinent, taking direct administrative control of vast regions.
Gunboat diplomacy is still used today, although it has evolved. During the Woodrow Wilson presidency, conventional gunboat diplomacy occurred with the US Army's occupation of Veracruz in 1914 during the Mexican Revolution. In the post-Cold War world, gunboat diplomacy is largely based on naval forces due to the overwhelming sea power of the US Navy. Administrations can influence foreign capitals by changing the disposition of their major naval fleets. More recently, the Clinton administration used sea-launched Tomahawk missiles and E-3 AWACS airborne surveillance aircraft in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s to make more passive displays of military presence.
Where Does the Money Go in a Losing Political Campaign?
You may want to see also
It is a way to pursue diplomatic aims, not military ones
Gunboat diplomacy is a term that was coined in the 19th century during a period of imperialism. It refers to the pursuit of diplomatic aims through the use of military power, particularly naval power, to force or coerce other nations into doing what it wants them to do. This could involve sailing fleets of warships to foreign countries as a warning or to intimidate them into granting concessions. While it involves the use of military power, gunboat diplomacy is ultimately a diplomatic strategy rather than a military one.
Gunboat diplomacy is distinct from "defence diplomacy", which is the peaceful application of defence resources to achieve positive outcomes in bilateral and multilateral relationships. It also differs from "military diplomacy", which typically refers to the role of military attachés and their associated activities. Gunboat diplomacy, on the other hand, involves the use of military force or the threat of force to achieve diplomatic objectives.
The term "gunboat" implies the use of naval power, but land-based equivalents exist, such as military mobilisation or massing troops near international borders. The key characteristic of gunboat diplomacy is the use of a nation's military power to send a political message or to influence another country's government or policies. This can be contrasted with traditional diplomacy, which does not involve the use of military force.
Gunboat diplomacy has been used by various countries throughout history, including the United States, Britain, and France. For example, in the 18th century, imperial Britain used gunboat diplomacy to take administrative control of parts of Africa and the Indian subcontinent. In the post-Cold War world, the overwhelming sea power of the U.S. Navy has allowed it to continue employing gunboat diplomacy, influencing foreign capitals by changing the disposition of its naval fleets.
While gunboat diplomacy may be effective in achieving diplomatic objectives, it is important to note that it is a showy and aggressive form of foreign policy. It relies on the use of military power to coerce or intimidate other countries, which may have negative consequences and dismantle existing relationships. As such, gunboat diplomacy is a controversial strategy that may be seen as a form of hegemony or bullying.
Teachers Unions: Political Campaign Donations Revealed
You may want to see also
It is a tactic to intimidate other countries into granting concessions
Gunboat diplomacy is a tactic used by a country to intimidate other nations, usually smaller or weaker ones, into accepting its demands or concessions. It involves the use of military power, particularly naval forces, to threaten or warn another country without engaging in actual warfare. The term "gunboat diplomacy" originated in the 19th century during the period of imperialism when Western powers, such as European nations and the United States, employed this strategy to expand their colonial empires in Asia and Africa.
The basic idea behind gunboat diplomacy is to use the display of military might as a form of negotiation or coercion. It is often seen as a way to avoid direct military conflict while still achieving diplomatic or political goals. By positioning warships or fleets near the coast of another country, the superior military power sends a clear message of dominance and the potential for aggression if its demands are not met.
Gunboat diplomacy is considered a form of "hard power" or coercive diplomacy, where the stronger nation uses its military strength to influence or control the behaviour of weaker nations. It is distinct from "soft power," which relies on attraction and persuasion rather than coercion or payment. Gunboat diplomacy can be contrasted with defence diplomacy, which seeks to achieve positive outcomes through peaceful means, such as personnel exchanges, ship visits, and high-level engagements.
Throughout history, gunboat diplomacy has been employed by various countries to further their foreign policy objectives, establish colonial outposts, and expand their empires. For example, in the 18th and 19th centuries, imperial Britain used gunboat diplomacy across Africa and the Indian subcontinent to exert control and establish new trade relationships. Similarly, during the Mexican Revolution in 1914, the United States occupied Veracruz, demonstrating their military power to influence events in the region.
While gunboat diplomacy may be effective in certain contexts, it has been criticised as a form of bullying or aggressive behaviour on the international stage. It is often associated with imperialist or colonialist agendas and can disrupt existing relationships between nations. In the modern era, gunboat diplomacy has evolved to include not only naval displays but also the use of advanced military technology, such as missile launches and airborne surveillance, to project power and send diplomatic messages.
Who Funds Political Campaigns and How Much Do They Make?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is used to change the policy or character of the target government
Gunboat diplomacy is a term coined during the 19th century, when Western powers rushed to colonize parts of Asia and Africa. It refers to an aggressive and showy kind of foreign policy, where a country uses its military power to force other nations, usually smaller countries, to do what it wants. This involves conspicuous displays of naval power, implying a threat of warfare if the superior force's terms are not met.
Gunboat diplomacy is used to change the policy or character of the target government. This is achieved by applying naval force to alter the target government's policy or nature. A notable example of this is when France forced Haiti to agree to pay a large indemnity in exchange for recognition.
The term "gunboat" implies the use of naval power, but land-based equivalents exist. These include military mobilization, massing troops near international borders, and conducting military maneuvers near borders. The effectiveness of these displays of force allowed nations with naval power to establish military bases and economically beneficial relationships worldwide.
Gunboat diplomacy is distinct from "defense diplomacy," which is the peaceful application of defense resources to achieve positive outcomes in bilateral and multilateral relationships. It is also different from "military diplomacy," which refers to the role of military attachés and their associated activities. Gunboat diplomacy is considered a form of hegemony, and as a dominant way to establish new trade relationships, colonial outposts, and expand empires.
Kamala Harris: Official Democratic Candidate?
You may want to see also
It is distinct from defence diplomacy
Gunboat diplomacy is a type of international coercion or intimidation whereby a state uses the threat or application of military force to compel another state to accept or submit to its demands. It is distinct from defence diplomacy in several key ways.
Firstly, defence diplomacy primarily focuses on building and strengthening military relationships and cooperation between states to promote mutual defence and security interests. It often involves activities such as military exchanges, joint exercises, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance interoperability and collective defence capabilities. In contrast, gunboat diplomacy is a form of unilateral coercion where a state uses its military power to impose its will on another state without necessarily seeking mutual agreement or cooperation.
Secondly, defence diplomacy aims to foster stability and peace by addressing shared security challenges and promoting dialogue and engagement. It seeks to build trust, transparency, and understanding between militaries, which can help prevent conflicts and manage crises. On the other hand, gunboat diplomacy is a more aggressive and confrontational approach, utilising the threat or demonstration of military force to exert pressure and achieve diplomatic objectives.
Thirdly, defence diplomacy operates within a framework of international norms and agreements, emphasising the importance of respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. It often involves engagement through multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations or regional security organisations, to address transnational threats and promote international peace and security. Conversely, gunboat diplomacy can involve unilateral actions that may contravene principles of international law and norms of peaceful coexistence.
Furthermore, defence diplomacy recognises the importance of diplomacy as a tool for conflict prevention and resolution. It complements diplomatic efforts by creating conditions conducive to dialogue, negotiation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. In contrast, gunboat diplomacy relies primarily on the coercive power of military force to achieve diplomatic goals, potentially undermining diplomatic channels and exacerbating tensions.
Finally, defence diplomacy is often a long-term endeavour, focusing on sustainable partnerships, confidence-building measures, and the development of defence relationships that can withstand fluctuations in political or diplomatic relations. Gunboat diplomacy, on the other hand, may be employed as a short-term tactic to achieve specific diplomatic objectives or exert leverage in negotiations, without necessarily establishing lasting military ties or resolving underlying conflicts.
Crafting Support Orders: Strategies for Diplomatic Writing
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Gunboat diplomacy is an aggressive and showy kind of foreign policy. It involves the use of military threats or displays of power by a strong country to force weaker countries to do its bidding.
Gunboat diplomacy is also known as gunboat policy, power politics, big stick ideology, or coercive diplomacy.
During the Mexican Revolution in 1914, the US Army occupied Veracruz, which was an example of conventional gunboat diplomacy.
The term "gunboat diplomacy" was coined during the 19th century when Western powers rushed to colonize parts of Asia and Africa.
Gunboat diplomacy is distinct from "defence diplomacy", which is the peaceful application of defence resources to achieve positive outcomes in the development of bilateral and multilateral relationships.
