Name: Khristine Mariele A.

Patiak
Course & Section: AB Foreign Service 302
Subject: International Political Economy
Professor: Mr. Jumel Estrañero
Date: March 5, 2018

The Continuous Dominance of Hegemons in the International Arena

The tension between China and Philippines is getting worse when the issue about the
territorial dispute is being discussed. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte still wanted to
engage in a bilateral talk with China despite the current ruling wherein it favored the
Philippines. Duterte wants to negotiate with China in regards on how they would manage
the resources in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.

Our professor before mentioned that during the administration of Former President
Benigno Aquino III, he wanted the entire ownership of the South China Sea while during
Duterte’s administration, he wanted to negotiate with China for the sharing of its
resources—not entire ownership so as to avoid conflict. Yet, China had been aggressive
even before the result of the decision; now, they had put up a lot of military naval bases
that surrounds the said territory as if they are the one being favored by the International
Tribunal. Philippines have nothing to do with these despite knowing that we are victorious
with the said territorial dispute knowing China has a powerful military and naval forces
which is greater compared to what the Philippines have. In fact, Philippine Navy can go
there anytime but they have nothing to do but to report. If in case China will make an
aggressive move, Philippines can obviously become defeated.

We can strengthen our military and naval forces through, of course, strengthening our
alliances. US and Philippines signed a treaty in 1951 Philippine-US Defense Treaty
having agreed to support each other in times of war or any armed attack. It can be
possible to use this treaty as our basis in getting help from the US but they can anytime
refuse to protect the Philippines because there is a probability that they will pursue their
own interests rather than ours. The Philippines also have strong economic ties with
Japan, Australia, and South Korea—not just with the US. Maybe, after some negotiation
and deliberation of some conditions, they can help us with regards to our security.
Japan and Philippines have a strong economic relationship for it supported the Philippines
from road to health services while on the other hand, South Korea had been the
Philippines’ trading partner for a long period of time. The relations between the Philippines
and South Korea have always been characterized by such mutual trust and support. In
addition, Australia signed a Joint Declaration on the Philippines-Australia Comprehensive
Partnership with the Philippines. Lastly, the 61-year old relationship of Philippines and
India strengthened their partnership especially in bilateral negotiations assessing their
progress on trade, investment, economic, technical, scientific, and technical cooperation.

Asia Pacific states, in partnership with regional organizations, aims and envisions a
prosperous region among all. In the span of 10 years, there may be a huge technological
innovation, fast transportation—both land, aerial and maritime transportations, peaceful
agreements & support team, diplomacy being carried out even more, and hopefully, no
presence of war or any form of armed conflict. For me, it’s not bad to wish the world to
become a better place to live in for as long as everyone is doing their part as an
independent state and as members of regional organizations such as ASEAN, United
Nations and the like.

Philippines can do more of bilateral talks, but China itself, and other states as well, would
need to cooperate to settle such issues. We should be willing to take conditions and
execute it in an honest and peaceful manner.

https://www.scribd.com/document/372988674/The-Continous-Dominance-of-
Hegemons-in-the-International-Arena
https://www.academia.edu/36078188/The_Continuous_Dominance_of_Hegemons_in_t
he_International_Arena