Space Power Theory: A Tailor‑made Approach or a New Theoretical Challenge to IR?

• Authors: Słomczyńska Irma
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This article aims to analyze U.S. space power theories formulated by eminent military strategists and analysts with reference to International Relations theories. Starting with the statement that space systems and space exploitation are becoming an increasingly important factor for states and non‑state actors, the article seeks to explore if current space power theories meet the requirements of the changing reality. The main assumption of the article is that space power theories in their current form should be perceived rather as tailor‑made doctrines formulated for strategic and political purposes, and not new IR theories, because they have many deficiencies. The article contains a review of basic theoretical attempts made by David E. Lupton, James E. Oberg and James C. Moltz, as well as a critical analysis of them in the context of IR. As a result, the article concludes that a comprehensive space power theory has not been formulated yet, and poses an academic challenge to IR theorists.

• Publisher: Księgarnia Akademicka
• Journal: Ad Americam
• Year: 2013
• Issue: 14
• Pages: 139-148

Contributors

author

Słomczyńska Irma

References

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• Coletta, Damon. “Space and Deterrence.” Astropolitics vol.7, no. 3, 2009: 171‑192. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14777620903372982.
• Dolman, Everett C. Astropolitik: Classical Geopolitics in the Space Age. London and Portland: Frank Cass Publishers, 2002.
• Fox, John G. Some Principles of Space Strategy (or ‘Corbett in Orbit). Washington DC: National Defense University National War College, 2000.
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• 10.1080/14777620600762832.
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• Jusell, Judson J. Space Power Theory. A Rising Star. Maxwell AFB: Air University Press, 1998.
• Klein, John J. Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles and Policy. London: Routledge, 2006.
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• Moltz, James C. The Politics of Space Security. Strategic Restraint and the Pursuit of National Interests. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2008.
• Oberg, James E. Space Power Theory. Colorado Springs: US Air Force Academy, 1999.
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• Sumida, Jon. “Old Thoughts, New Problems: Mahan and the Consideration of Spacepower,” [in:] Lutes, Charles D., Hays, Peter et al. (eds.). Toward a Theory of Spacepower. Selected Essays. Web. 27 October 2012. http://www.ndu.edu/press/lib/pdf/spacepower/space‑Ch1.pdf.
• Swilley, Scott F. Space Power: A Theory for Sustaining US Security Through the Information Age. Fort Leavenworth: School of Advanced Military Studies, United States Army Command and General Staff College, 2011.
• Winton, Harold R. “On the Nature of Military Theory,” [in:] Lutes, Charles D., Hays, Peter et al. (eds.). Toward a Theory of Spacepower. Selected Essays. Web. 27 October 2012. http://www.ndu.edu/press/lib/pdf/spacepower/space‑Ch2.pdf.Baucom, Donald R. Clausewitz on Space War: An Essay on the Strategic Aspects of Military Operations in Space. Maxwell AFB: Air University Press, 1992.
• Coletta, Damon. “Space and Deterrence.” Astropolitics vol.7, no. 3, 2009: 171‑192. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14777620903372982.
• Dolman, Everett C. Astropolitik: Classical Geopolitics in the Space Age. London and Portland: Frank Cass Publishers, 2002.
• Fox, John G. Some Principles of Space Strategy (or ‘Corbett in Orbit). Washington DC: National Defense University National War College, 2000.
• France, Martin E. B. Mahan’s Elements of Sea Power Applied to the Development of Space Power. Washington DC: National Defense University National War College, 2000.
• Fredriksson, Brian E. Globalness. Toward a Space Power Theory. Maxwell AFB: Air University Press, 2006.
• Friedman, George and Meredith. The Future of War: Power, Technology, and American World Dominance in the 21st Century. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 1996.
• Gleason, Michael P. “European Union Space Initiatives: the Political Will for Increasing European Space Power.” Astropolitics vol. 4, no. 1, 2006: 7‑41. http://dx.doi.org/
• 10.1080/14777620600762832.
• Gray, Colin S. Modern Strategy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
• Hays, Peter L., Lutes, Charles D. “Towards a Theory of Space Power.” Space Policy vol. 23, no. 4, 2007: 206‑209. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2007.09.003.
• Jusell, Judson J. Space Power Theory. A Rising Star. Maxwell AFB: Air University Press, 1998.
• Klein, John J. Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles and Policy. London: Routledge, 2006.
• Lupton, David E. On Space Warfare: A Space Power Doctrine. Maxwell AFB: Air University Press, 1988.
• Marquart, Samantha. “Space Power: A Unique Military Asset.” International Affairs Review. vol. 20, no. 2, 2011: 47‑54.
• Moltz, James C. The Politics of Space Security. Strategic Restraint and the Pursuit of National Interests. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2008.
• Oberg, James E. Space Power Theory. Colorado Springs: US Air Force Academy, 1999.
• Peter, Nicolas. “The changing geopolitics of space activities.” Space Policy vol. 22, no. 2, 2006: 100‑109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2006.02.007.
• Pfaltzgraff, Jr., Robert L. “International Relations Theory and Spacepower,” [in:] Lutes, Charles D., Hays, Peter et al. (eds.). Toward a Theory of Spacepower. Selected Essays. Web. 27 October 2012. http://www.ndu.edu/press/lib/pdf/spacepower/space‑Ch3.pdf.
• Sumida, Jon. “Old Thoughts, New Problems: Mahan and the Consideration of Spacepower,” [in:] Lutes, Charles D., Hays, Peter et al. (eds.). Toward a Theory of Spacepower. Selected Essays. Web. 27 October 2012. http://www.ndu.edu/press/lib/pdf/spacepower/space‑Ch1.pdf.
• Swilley, Scott F. Space Power: A Theory for Sustaining US Security Through the Information Age. Fort Leavenworth: School of Advanced Military Studies, United States Army Command and General Staff College, 2011.
• Winton, Harold R. “On the Nature of Military Theory,” [in:] Lutes, Charles D., Hays, Peter et al. (eds.). Toward a Theory of Spacepower. Selected Essays. Web. 27 October 2012. http://www.ndu.edu/press/lib/pdf/spacepower/space‑Ch2.pdf.

Identifiers

DOI

10.12797/AdAmericam.14.2013.14.09