Modern piracy on the high seas : an examination of the variables contributing to the act of piracy in three distinct regions of the world

The act of piracy on the high seas and in territorial waters has become a very real and serious problem for many littoral states throughout the world. The practice of piracy has plagued littoral states for centuries, yet throughout both past and contemporary literature on the subject, there is no standard test that can viably estimate and predict the amount to which piracy rates would rise or fall in regards to a standard variable. This thesis examines three distinct regions throughout the world where piracy has been a notable problem, and where a substantial number of reported cases have occurred These cases have occurred due to a geographic chokepoint of traffic. The Gulf of Aden, the Caribbean Sea, and the Malacca Strait will serve as the three primary locations within which this thesis will adapt three independent variables in an attempt to establish a trend. The three independent variables that will be applied to the latter three regions are the amount of regional enforcement of anti-piracy strategies, the amount of international cooperation and enforcement of codified international laws, and the extent to which local economies, specifically coastal economies, are experiencing problems. Literature from both the past and present, including individual case studies have been used to determine the extent to which the previously mentioned independent variables relate to the amount of piracy in three distinct regions of the world. This study has established that there is a negative, coinciding relationship to each one of the independent variables and the rate to which piracy occurs, and the dependency of one variable on the other in any particular case