Pacific Islands Forum: Facilitating Regional Security Cooperation

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Political Science
Degree name
Master of Arts
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Political Science and Communication
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2006
Authors
Boxall, Sheryl Maree
Abstract

Oceania is an example of a region where traditional security theory based on historical enmity and competition does not fit. A history of amity and cooperation has evolved through regionalism and the region's pre-eminent organisation, the Pacific Islands Forum (the Forum). In 2004, the Forum was tasked to develop the 'Pacific Plan' (the Plan) to facilitate closer cooperation and deeper integration. Security is one of the four pillars of the Plan. The objective of this thesis is to analyse the institutions of the Forum as facilitators of regional security cooperation. The Forum is reviewed and the idea of a logic of action is introduced. To help explain security in an environment with a history of cooperation, traditional security theory is re-defined. A security environment equation is created as a framework to help analyse the Forum's structures and security mechanisms. The Forum Regional Security Committee is examined closely resulting in suggestions to strengthen the region's security environment.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Pacific Islands Forum, regionalisation, regionalism, security, security theory, Forum Regional Security Committee, Pacific cooperation, Forum Secretary General
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
Copyright Sheryl Maree Boxall