Soundings Papers: Dominion, Trade and the Maritime Silk Road: A Review of Issues

Because of its utility as the safest and cheapest way of transporting goods and people, the sea has always been a basis - and many would say the basis - for trade. On the other hand, control of the sea can also be an important source of political and military dominion - the ability to influence, even determine, the behaviour of other people. This raises the issue of the complex relationship between trade and dominion, which both flow from the use of the sea.