Conflict settlement in the South China Sea

Abstract

This dissertation examines the Spratly Islands dispute in the South China Sea with a view to providing a peaceful resolution to the dispute. In order to achieve this, four different aspects of the dispute were examined. Firstly the dispute was analyzed in relation to political and legal theory. (1) To see if theory could explain the actions taken by the claimants in the past. (2) To see if the competing theories could provide a sustainable solution to the dispute. Secondly, the role of the outside powers was examined to understand why they take the positions they do. To see what could facilitate a change in their future positions. Thirdly, the focus then shifted to one particular aspect of the dispute i.e. the search for natural resources in the South China Sea basin. How it has exacerbated tensions in the region in the last five years. The final section examines four proposed models that uses functionalist theory as a basis for their proposed solutions. From these it becomes clear that there are possibilities available for the claimants to resolve the dispute peacefully if they are prepared to utilize them.