The Success of ASEAN as a Regional Mediator
ASEAN is the premier regional organisation in Southeast Asia. First describe the evolution of ASEAN as an organization since its inception in 1967. Has ASEAN been a meaningful actor in the management of regional security and economic relations? Argue with specific examples.
The Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) is an organization founded on the principles of maintaining harmony within the region. Since it’s inception in 1967, it has persevered in upholding and sustaining regional security as well as economic development. ASEAN has been a key mediator of conflict within the area and proved to be a soft power with its ability to facilitate platforms for discussion between governments of nations. They have been successful in implementing several strategies that have improved security, living conditions and integration of the economies within the region.
Developed in 1967 through the ASEAN Declaration (or Bangkok Declaration), the main objectives at the time of its inception were nation building, solidarity against communism and collective security; the notion of economic development was introduced after the Vietnam War during the late-1970s. The founding member states were Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. ASEAN held the key values of “avoidance of armed conflict between member states, non-interference in the internal affairs of other member states, and decision-making by consensus”. However, its role has transformed throughout the years to encompass a much wider political and economic agenda. The development of ASEAN can be separated into two timelines; between 1967 to the late 1990s, and from then on to the present day. During the first 30 years, ASEAN’s main concern was regional security, which became the basis of the creation of Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC); a document where the signatories “agreed not to use violence against each other” and outlined the principles to embody mutual respect and territorial
The Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) is an organization founded on the principles of maintaining harmony within the region. Since it’s inception in 1967, it has persevered in upholding and sustaining regional security as well as economic development. ASEAN has been a key mediator of conflict within the area and proved to be a soft power with its ability to facilitate platforms for discussion between governments of nations. They have been successful in implementing several strategies that have improved security, living conditions and integration of the economies within the region.
Developed in 1967 through the ASEAN Declaration (or Bangkok Declaration), the main objectives at the time of its inception were nation building, solidarity against communism and collective security; the notion of economic development was introduced after the Vietnam War during the late-1970s. The founding member states were Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. ASEAN held the key values of “avoidance of armed conflict between member states, non-interference in the internal affairs of other member states, and decision-making by consensus”. However, its role has transformed throughout the years to encompass a much wider political and economic agenda. The development of ASEAN can be separated into two timelines; between 1967 to the late 1990s, and from then on to the present day. During the first 30 years, ASEAN’s main concern was regional security, which became the basis of the creation of Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC); a document where the signatories “agreed not to use violence against each other” and outlined the principles to embody mutual respect and territorial