Multipolarity and the Future of Maritime Governance in the South China Sea

Abstract

This study looks at the South China Sea, a very strategic and contentious maritime area, through the lens of the multipolar framework of future maritime administration. It goes over the ways in which the change from a unipolar to a multipolar international system has impacted the systems of regional cooperation, security relations, governance, and law. There are conflicts going on in the South China Sea between various countries, namely China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and China again. Sea is also blocked by foreign powers such as United States, Japan, India and Australia. Violations of international law, particularly UNCLOS, intensifying militarism, and rising geopolitical rivalry are all aspects of this complicated scenario. Using qualitative research methods, secondary data is gathered from peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents, international law, and from a range of institutions. The study takes a Balance of Power Theory and perspective of Liberal Institutionalism approach to analyzing the state relations in a multipolar maritime situation. Results indicate that LGs face opportunities and challenges that have emerged under multipolarity. It has resulted in increased political engagement and diversification of security cooperation, although there has been a downside in terms of less institutional efficiency and increased strategic competition. The governance outcomes include ASEAN's fragmented governance and also low level of enforcement in ASEAN. The study finds the process of maritime governance in the South China Sea is a hybrid process of cooperation and competition. It requires stronger regional institutions, improved law enforcement and improved cooperation between multilateral institutions for longer term stability and sustainable governance of the seas.

Keywords

ASEAN Cooperation, Balance of Power, Geopolitical Competition, Multipolarity, Maritime Governance, South China Sea, UNCLOS,