The Western Squadron example extends beyond stopping Barbary raiders and slavers. Undefended towns might organise and finance their own forces when central protection failed. Paying locally for security while also paying taxes to the crown could then make royal government appear poor value. Coastal defence could therefore become a question of state legitimacy as well as a military task.
Notable Point · 4:47-5:15
Coastal protection supports political legitimacy
If coastal communities must fund their own protection as well as the state, failure at sea can weaken the political bargain behind taxation.