Complexities & Challenges of Cooperation to Provide Security At Sea

By Timothy A. Martin (copyright 2011)

Abstract

In the post-Cold War era, maritime security changed from emphasizing strategic deterrence to focusing more on regions and non-traditional facets. Greater weight was given to international law and cooperation between states. In the post-Cold War era, states could choose security partners. Nevertheless, cooperation between states to provide security at sea was still a sensitive and complex aspect of international relations. This research compares cooperative security behaviour of states within two regions by focusing on law enforcement at sea, a non-traditional facet of maritime security, and by questioning the significance of confidence building in facilitating maritime security cooperation. Cooperation is possible if proposed agreements have an underlying coherent, formal, and consensus-built legal framework supporting region-specific and regionally-built mechanisms. From a perspective of security regime building, when not burdened by Cold War priorities and a bi-polarised international security structure, states will agree to principles, rules, and norms that control their behaviour when they are confident that their sovereignty will be respected and that such cooperation aligns with their national security interests. A comparative analysis builds on existing regime theory, examining the evolving security environment, and asking; what are the influencing factors leading states toward maritime security cooperation, and what factors keep them apart?



[An edited version of this paper - originally a post-graduate thesis - continues below. A methodology chapter has been omitted to keep things simple but is available on request: tim.martin@deakin.edu.au ]