Articles by Bruno Sowden-Carvalho

February 17, 2025

President Trump’s inaugural speech and the political psychology of sea power

Bruno Sowden-Carvalho

Donald Trump’s pledges to rename the Gulf of Mexico, to rechristen Mount Denali as Mount McKinley, and to ‘take back’ the Panama Canal, are all intended to evoke America’s imperial past. Bruno Sowden-Carvalho analyses how the emotional appeal of sea power and ontological security sheds light on the political psychology behind Trump’s motivations

Bruno Sowden-Carvalho

PhD Candidate, Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS), University of Birmingham 

Bruno's research interests lie in ontological security in IR, maritime security, and UK foreign policy, with a particular emphasis on the political significance of the ocean as a strategic enabler and a symbol of national identification.

His doctoral thesis develops a theoretical framework to better understand these dynamics.

Bruno's academic work builds on over a decade's experience as a commissioned officer in the Brazilian Navy, where he specialised in maritime strategy and naval operations.

Bruno holds a degree in Naval Sciences from the Brazilian Naval Academy and a master’s in Political Science and International Relations from the Postgraduate Programme in Maritime Studies at the Brazilian Naval War College (PPGEM-EGN).

@bscarvalho.bsky.social

The Loop

Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.