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Tracing the path of ASEAN : 1967 – 2007
Author
Ooi, Jason
Supervisor
Ang, Cheng Guan
Abstract
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has certainly come a long way since 1967. It comprises ten member-states of diverse political ideologies, cultural beliefs and economic modes of organization, thus making coordination and enforcement of any sustained and coherent organizational policy and philosophy challenging. This being the 40th anniversary of ASEAN (8th August 2008, it is relevant and significant to take stock of ASEAN’s path of evolution. This is done in the context of a framework of 5 “E”s, where security perceptions are also redefined. In determining whether ASEAN remains a viable organization to serve the region’s needs, this dissertation revolves around three main subquestions. First, “How did ASEAN behave between 1967 and 1990?”, “What changes were faced by ASEAN in the late 1980s and early 1990s?” and “What factors would affect ASEAN’s ability as an organisation in the 21st century?” It is also important to have a basic awareness of how and why ASEAN has managed to evolve the way it has, in relation to various political and economic episodes of significance. Moreover, there is this nebulous cloud that hangs over the organisation, where the organizational modus operandi of consultative diplomacy is driven mostly by informal discussions and “face-giving” measures, rather than a formalized mechanism of rules and regulations (that do exist); thus often encouraging skeptics to hasten calls for the demise of ASEAN throughout the decades. A further related task would be discussing the related issue of - Whither ASEAN in relation as an organisation in the 21st century? I shall also bear in mind the original goals of ASEAN as I trace its evolution since 1967 and how its goals should encompass the fluidity of the geopolitical landscape. While political and military security have traditionally been ASEAN’s main preoccupation, it is apposite to note that security issues have now taken on even greater dimensions of relevant difficulty and complexity. The dawn of the twenty first century, and after forty years of a truly tumultuous political path, marks this as an opportune moment for us to assess ASEAN’s survivability.
Date Issued
2008
Call Number
DS526.7 Ooi
Date Submitted
2008