Conceptualising a Heterarchical Regional Security Complex: The Case of the QUAD

ABSTRACT

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is one of the most prominent security arrangements to have emerged in the Indo-Pacific during the 21^st century. This dialogue provides its founding members – the United States (US), India, Japan and Australia – with a platform to counteract the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) rising regional and global stature. The QUAD can be conceptualised as a Heterarchical Regional Security Complex (HRSC), a novel theoretical construct that involves the formation of regional clusters of like-minded states against a competitor because of its contrasting political system, security outlook and worldview. Indeed, the Quad is a heterarchical minilateral security arrangement that is based on a ‘diffusion of power’ logic against the PRC whose global projection is causing mini-superpower rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region.

KEYWORDS:

• Indo-Pacific
• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
• regional security complex
• heterarchy
• minilateralism

Acknowledgements

Tayyaba Jaffery would like to thank the support of her family and friends.

Muhammad Shoaib Pervez is thankful for the prayers of his mother and for the unwavering support of his wife Sadia Shoaib and his sons Muneeb and Moiz. He would also like to acknowledge the stimulating critical research environment of DPSIR spearheaded by his friend Fatima Sajjad, a scholar par excellence of decoloniality and critical peace.

Notes

1 The idea of we-feeling refers to a sense of unity and belonging that individuals within a group experience. It is characterised by a collective sense of identity, shared values and mutual support among group members. It plays a crucial role in shaping group dynamics, social relationships and collective behaviour (Hutchinson and Bleiker 2014).

2 Traditionally, states (as spokes) used to ally with a central hub (the US); de-hub and spokification refers to a new trend in the regional security architecture in which small and middle powers cooperate with states possessing complementary capabilities without giving any preeminence to one state.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tayyaba Jaffery

Tayyaba Jaffery holds a PhD in International Relations from the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.

Muhammad Shoaib Pervez

Muhammad Shoaib Pervez is an Associate Professor and the Former Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: [email protected]