Malaysias United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (19602010)

Small and developing states make up the majority of participants in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), and Malaysia is one of these. The numerous previous studies on Malaysias UNPKO are primarily historical narratives which focus on practical, policy-related issues and due process, making no attempt to synchronize the nexus between theory and policy analysis. Nor do they cover the theoretical aspect which can operationalize and address the question of the roles played by Malaysias domestic actors (foreign policy executives, legislature, military, media, public opinion) in the respective decision-making processes as well as those of external level, such as international power politics and geopolitical considerations. In other words, they are predominantly a historical narrative of only several Malaysias UNPKO. This book fills the critical gap. It deliberates on the respective national and international decision-making processes, especially from the Malaysian point of view, and analyses the theoretical and practical impacts of Malaysias UNPKO in understanding international politics. Apart from providing a well-researched account of Malaysias UNPKO across the globe for 50 years, i.e. 1960-2010, this book examines the determinants by using qualitative data, particularly key-informant interviews and documentary analysis. Thus, while most studies of Malaysias UNPKO single out domestic imperatives as the most vital determinant, this book, on the contrary, comprehensively identifies the prevailing world security order as the most important determinant influencing Malaysias UNPKO, followed by the domestic ones.