A Peacekeeping Rise of China? Norm dynamics in United Nations Peacekeeping and the Rise of China (1990-2011).

Abstract

United Nations peacekeeping has undergone multiple changes since 1948. After the Cold War in 1991, ‘Western’ dominance led to the prevalence of liberal norms within the United Nations peacekeeping regime. However, as the Western unipolarity is challenged by multipolarity due to the growing influence of states such as China, United Nations peacekeeping norms may, too, be challenged. Therefore, this thesis examines the effect of the growing role of China on the norms within United Nations peacekeeping by applying the theoretical framework on norm dynamics by Finnemore and Sikkink on the case study of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (2011). This thesis establishes that, while China can be considered a norm-maker in the context of several United Nations bodies, it is still a norm-taker in the context of United Nations peacekeeping, despite the fact that it has become the largest contributor of troop personnel of the United Nations Security Council permanent members.