Foreign policy behaviors of middle powers under different international systems: The case of the South China Sea dispute

This thesis aims to provide a comprehensive explanation to the behaviors exhibited by middle powers in the South China Sea Dispute. By employing the thematic analysis method and middle power theory, the objective is to identify the behaviors of middle powers that are party to the South China Sea dispute and assess their alignment with theoretical explanations. Since the onset of the dispute, claimant middle powers have pursued various strategies. This study examines the behavioral patterns exhibited by these middle powers under different international systems and assesses their congruence with middle power theories. Through the analysis, a discernible pattern emerges among the claimant states. Consequently, this thesis concludes that the behavior of middle powers in the South China Sea dispute vis-à-vis China aligns with the theoretical explanations.