Global Swing States and the Maritime Order

Abstract

The “global swing states” — Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Turkey — will play an important role in shaping the future maritime order. Unlike major naval powers such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, the four swing states currently lack a worldwide impact. They do, however, possess a preponderance of regional influence over oceans governance and have a mixed record of promoting a stable and liberal order at sea.

Keywords: Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, India, Turkey, Indonesia, Brazil, maritime governance, oceans policy, maritime law