Mahan held that a nation must expand or decline-for it was impossible for a nation to hold its own while standing still.
Robert D. Kaplan's book, "The Revenge of Geography," discusses the critical relationship between geography and national power. He references naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan, who argued that a nation cannot remain stagnant without risking decline. According to Mahan, a country's survival and prosperity depend on its willingness to expand and adapt to changing circumstances.
This perspective underscores the necessity for countries to engage in proactive strategies to secure their interests and influence. Kaplan emphasizes that nations that fail to respond effectively to their geographic and geopolitical realities may find themselves jeopardized, highlighting the importance of geographical factors in shaping the future of international relations.
