Chan, Aaron Francis O.

Political Science 178

Rivera, Glenn Group VII Outline
ASEA an! the "evelop#ent o$ Southeast Asian Re%ionalis#
I. The Evolution of Southeast Asian Regionalism
A. The Colonial Period (1511-19!"
1. Pre-#olonial Southeast Asia $as a diverse% d&nami# 'la#e lin(ed )& trade and di'loma#& to other
regions and 'o'ulated )& different 'eo'les% )ut had no defined regional #ons#iousness of its o$n.
(Elson% *!!"
*. Earl& Euro'ean #olonialism entered the lu#rative Southeast Asian trade )& e+'loiting and #o-
o'ting lo#al mandala s&stems $ithout dire#t invasion. (Elson% *!!"
,. -igh Colonialism in the 19
th
Centur& 'rom'ted the Euro'ean 'o$ers to rule their Southeast
Asian #olonies dire#tl&% #reating and enfor#ing ar)itrar& )orders% and forming ne$ state entities
$here there $ere none. (Tarling% 199."
a. The #olonial role of su''l&ing )asi# resour#es for trade $ith the im'erial metro'olis tied
the ne$ /states0 of Southeast Asia #loser to their res'e#tive em'ires than to an&
#on#e'tion of the $ider region.
1. The 2e#oloni3ation Period (191-195"
1. The 4a'anese invasion of Southeast Asia in 5orld 5ar II for#ed out the Euro'eans and revealed
their inherent $ea(nesses% 'aving the $a& for de#oloni3ation. (1erger% *!!"
*. The #onsolidation of the ne$ states% $ith most fa#ing #ommunist and se'aratist resistan#e%
em'hasi3ed national develo'ment over regional #oo'eration. (6el(er% *!!"
,. The ne$l& inde'endent states 7ui#(l& #ame into #onfli#t over issues of territor& and 'ost#olonial
sovereignt&% $ith little regard for regional #oo'eration. (1erger% *!!"
a. The Phili''ines filed a formal #laim to Sa)ah in 198,% $hile Sa)ah $as 're'aring to
enter the 9ala&sian 6ederation. (Tarling% 199."
). Su(arno0s Indonesia )egan a 'oli#& of armed konfrontasi against the neigh)oring 9ala&
state of 9ala&sia in 1959% den&ing it legitima#& in an attem't to erase all #olonial
influen#e from the region. (1ellam&% *!!"
C. The Pre-ASEA: Period (1955-1988"
1. Se#urit& issues% )oth e+ternal and internal% 'rom'ted the #reation of regional organi3ations in
Southeast Asia% as $ell as their su)se7uent failures.
a. Southeast Asian Treat& ;rgani3ation (SEAT;"
i. Created in 1955 )& the <S as an allian#e against Communist aggression%
s'urred )& the 6ren#h defeat at 2ien 1ien Phu
ii. 9em)ers in#luded the <nited States% Australia% :e$ =ealand% 6ran#e%
1ritain% Pa(istan% Thailand% and the Phili''ines.
iii. The in#lusion of 5estern 'o$ers undermined the legitima#& of SEAT; as
a non#ommunist )ul$ar( in Southeast Asia% tainting it $ith a #olonial
affiliation. (Calder > 6u(u&ama% *!!."
). Asso#iation of Southeast Asia (ASA"
i. Created in 1981 )& 9ala&sia% Thailand% and the Phili''ines.
ii. ASA $as the first attem't to regulari3e #onsultation and 'oli#&
#oordination )et$een Southeast Asian states.
iii. ASA $as seen as 'ro-5est in a 'olari3ed Cold 5ar environment% and $as
)rought together )& fear of Communism. (Antoli(% 199!"
iv. :ationalism ins'ired irredentist #laims and #hallenges of legitima#& that
led to the dissolution of ASA. (Antoli(% 199!"
#. 9a'hilindo
i. Created in 198, as an a''eal to 'rimordial ethni# affinities )et$een the
9ala& states of 9ala&sia% Indonesia% and the Phili''ines. (Antoli(% 199!"
ii. 9utual sus'i#ion guided state interests $ithin the organi3ation% $ith
9ala&sia ?oining to 'rote#t itself% $hile the Phili''ines and Indonesia
?oined to influen#e 9ala&sia and #he#( on ea#h other. (Antoli(% 199!"
iii. The intense 9ala&sian-Indonesian hostilities initiated )& Su(arno0s
aggressive 'oli#& of konfrontasi led to the )rea(u' of ASA. (Calder >
6u(u&ama% *!!."
*. The end of Indonesia0s konfrontasi 'oli#& in 1988 )rought relative 'ea#e and sta)ilit& to the
1
relations )et$een the non#ommunist Southeast Asian states% even as the 'ossi)le threat of
Communist Indo#hina simmered in the )a#(ground. (1ellam&% *!!"
2. The ASEA: Period (198@-*!!."
1. The failure of 'revious regional organi3ations sho$ed that #oo'eration must )e )uilt on
#onverging state interests instead of #laims to 'rimordial lo&alties. (Antoli(% 199!"
*. The Asso#iation of Southeast Asian :ations (ASEA:" $as never intended to )e a militar&
allian#e% )ut $as #reated as a 'oliti#al organi3ation #harged $ith 'romoting more e#onomi# and
#ultural #oo'eration $ithin the region. (Stu))s% *!!"
,. The histor& of ASEA: has distin#t 'hases and milestones (9orada% *!!."A
a. The 6ormative Phase (198@-19@@"
i. In 198@% the foreign ministers of Indonesia% 9ala&sia% Singa'ore%
Thailand% and the Phili''ines sign the 1ang(o( 2e#laration% #reating the
ASEA: organi3ation.
ii. In 19@8% the heads of state of ASEA: mem)er states sign the Treat& of
Amit& and Coo'eration (TAC" and the 2e#laration of ASEA: Con#ord in
1ali% outlining the organi3ation0s traditional 'rin#i'les of non-interferen#e
and 'ea#eful dis'ute settlement in #reating a =one of Pea#e% 6reedom% and
:eutralit& (=;P6A:".
). The Confli#t Phase (19@.-19.@"
i. In 19@.% Communist Bietnam invades Chmer Rouge-#ontrolled
Cam)odia% setting off a ne$ regional #onfli#t involving ASEA:.
ii. After 19@.% ASEA: rallies )ehind the Coalition Dovernment of
2emo#rati# Cam'u#hea (CD2C"% a loose #oalition of armed fa#tions
hostile to the Bietnamese o##u'ation.
iii. ASEA: lo))ies dire#tl& against the Bietnamese-)a#(ed Cam)odian
government in the <nited :ations (<:"% $hile indire#tl& su''orting the
armed resistan#e of the CD2C.
iv. In 19.% 1runei 2arussalam ?oins ASEA: as its si+th mem)er.
#. E+'ansion and Crisis (19..-199@"
i. In 1991% the Paris 'ea#e agreements resolve the Cam)odian #onfli#t%
allo$ing the <: Transitional Authorit& in Cam)odia (<:TAC" to
manage the transition of the #ountr& in 199,.
ii. In 199*% the ado'tion of the Common Effe#tive Preferential Tariff (CEPT"
'aves the $a& for an ideal ASEA: 6ree Trade Area.
iii. In 199% the ASEA: Regional 6orum (AR6" )rings Bietnam% China% and
Russia into a regional se#urit& dialogue $ith ASEA:% im'l&ing a 'otential
role for ASEA: in the 'oliti#al and se#urit& issues affe#ting the region.
iv. In 1995% ASEA: mem)ers sign the Southeast Asia :u#lear 5ea'ons-6ree
=one (SEA:56=" treat&.
v. Bietnam ?oins ASEA: in 1995% Eaos and 9&anmar ?oin in 199@% and
Cam)odia ?oins in 1999.
vi. In 199@% the Asian 6inan#ial Crisis )egins as a s'e#ulative atta#( on the
Thai )aht% and s'ills over into the rest of East Asia.
d. Re#over& and Transition (199.-*!!@"
i. In 199@% ASEA: 'roves hel'less in the midst of the Asian 6inan#ial
Crisis% as the e#onomies of mem)er states li(e Thailand% Indonesia% and
9ala&sia% are )attered.
ii. The ASEA: Plus Three me#hanism formali3es the 'arti#i'ation of China%
4a'an% and South Corea at the institutional level.
iii. In *!!!% ASEA: Plus Three mem)ers start the Chiang 9ai Initiative
(C9I"% a #urren#&-s$a' 'lan )et$een mem)ers that serve as a finan#ial
safeguard against another finan#ial #risis.
iv. In *!!,% the 1ali Con#ord II laun#hes a ne$ idea of ASEA: Communit&%
a strategi# res'onse to glo)ali3ation that aims to in#rease ASEA:
#om'etitiveness and in#lude nontraditional se#urit& #on#erns in the remit
of regional #oo'eration.
v. In *!!@% the ASEA: Charter is signed )& the mem)er states% #odif&ing
traditional norms and #larif&ing the e+tent of institutionali3ation in the
organi3ation% su#h as the 'a#ing of summits% the role of the se#retariat% and
the value of 'ermanent re'resentation from all the mem)er states.
e. The Institutional Im'asse (*!!.-*!!9"
*
i. In *!!.% ASEA: 'roves una)le to for#e 9&anmar% a mem)er state% to
o'en itself to humanitarian aid in the devastating aftermath of C&#lone
:argis% leading to hundreds of deaths and 7uestions a)out ASEA:0s
relevan#e.
ii. In *!!.% #onfli#t )rea(s out )et$een ASEA: mem)ers Thailand and
Cam)odia over a )order dis'ute #on#erning the an#ient tem'le grounds of
Preah Bihear% leading to #alls for the <: Se#urit& Coun#il to mediate and
head off an /imminent $arF.
. The influen#e of ASEA: on Southeast Asian international relations is one of slo$
institutionali3ation% from an informal grou'ing% to a formal organi3ation.
5. Regional se#urit& #on#erns )et$een states% su#h as that )et$een Thailand and Cam)odia% are
no$ #hanneled through formal institutions li(e ASEA: and the <: )efore o'en hostilities
o##ur% refle#ting greater sta)ilit& than )efore.
II. The ASEA: ;rgani3ation
A. Intentions
1. The intentions of the ASEA: mem)er states in forming the organi3ation $ere diverse and
multifa#eted% $ith formall& stated intentions often ver& different from the informal reasons and
rationales driving state )ehavior.
a. 6ormal Intentions
i. The 1ang(o( 2e#laration of 198@ made a vague% s&m)oli# #ommitment to
ma(ing ASEA: a $a& of meeting /mutual interests and #ommon
'ro)lems.F (Bati(iotis% 1998"
ii. ASEA: $as )uilt on the ?argon of e#onomi# #oo'eration and #ultural
asso#iation% #reating a loose /#lu)-li(eF atmos'here $ithin the
organi3ation and its $or(ings. (Antoli(% 199!"
iii. ASEA: has follo$ed through on its e#onomi# origins% as the organi3ation
has often served e#onomi#% rather than militar&% 'ur'oses in its 'rograms
and a#tions. (:eher% *!!*"
). Informal Intentions
i. The divisions of the Cold 5ar and the advan#es of #ommunist movements
in China and Indo#hina influen#ed the #reation of ASEA: )& the
non#ommunist states of Southeast Asia as an anti#ommunist )lo#.
(Dodement% 199@"
ii. In the $a(e of konfrontasi and other interstate dis'utes% the need to
'revent further #onfli#t $ithin the Southeast Asian region 'rom'ted the
#reation of ASEA: as a vehi#le to se#ure regional sta)ilit& $ithout the
dire#t involvement of the Cold 5ar su'er'o$ers and their glo)al
#om'etition. (-ernande3% *!!@"
iii. The national elites of the develo'ing states in Southeast Asia needed to
#on#entrate resour#es on state #onsolidation and se#uring internal #ontrol%
ma(ing ASEA: a $a& to 'a#if& the region and strengthen these same
elites. (1ellam&% *!!"
*. The se#urit& im'eratives of the ASEA: states% informall& a#(no$ledged )& ea#h% $ere rooted in
ea#h state elite0s o$n #on#e'tion of se#urit&% and $hat needed to )e se#ured. (1ellam&% *!!"
,. International relations theor& traditionall& invo(ed a differen#e )et$een the /high 'oliti#sF of
$ar and 'ea#e% and the /lo$ 'oliti#sF of trade and #ulture% usuall& assuming that international
organi3ations found #loser lin(s at the /lo$ 'oliti#sF level than at the /high 'oliti#sF level.
(1ro$n > Ainle&% *!!5"
. ASEA:% as an intergovernmental organi3ation )ased on informal #onsultative 'ro#esses and the
rhetori# of e#onomi#s and neutralit&% su##eeded in 'reventing regional #onfli#t% $hile also
dee'ening further institutionali3ation.
1. :orms
1. Sin#e the 198!s% Southeast Asian states 'ursued se#urit& )& a##e'ting shared norms and )uilding
e'istemi# and elite #ommunities% )uilding #onfiden#e a#ross the region through $hat is no$
#alled /the ASEA: $a&F. (1ellam&% *!!"
*. ASEA: $as founded on a set of traditional norms esta)lished )& the TAC% )ut these $ere
guided )& an overar#hing 'ro#edural norm of informalit& and aversion to institutionali3ation%
en#ouraging the #reation of friendshi's and #onne#tions on the golf #ourse instead of in formal
summits. (1ellam&% *!!"
,
,. The TAC set out the fundamental 'rin#i'les of mutual res'e#t for sovereignt& and national
territor&% the right of ever& state to lead a national e+isten#e free from e+ternal interferen#e% non-
interferen#e in ea#h state0s internal affairs% 'ea#eful settlement of dis'utes% renun#iation of the
use of for#e% and effe#tive regional #oo'eration.
. The essential #lusters of norms under the ASEA: $a& )oil do$n to non-interferen#e in domesti#
affairs% #onsensus-)ased de#ision-ma(ing% and the non-use of for#e in dis'ute settlement.
(1ellam&% *!!"A
a. :on-Interferen#e in 2omesti# Affairs
i. As an organi3ation designed to se#ure the legitimi3ation and #onsolidation
of its mem)er states and their national elites after a 'eriod of regional
#onfli#t% non-interferen#e in ea#h state0s internal 'ro)lems $as the
#ornerstone of ASEA: and its e+isten#e.
ii. :on-interferen#e im'lies restraint against #riti#i3ing other states%
#ommitment to #riti#i3ing the states $ho )rea( this norm% denial of
su''ort to an& re)el grou's $or(ing against an& mem)er state% and the
'rovision of su''ort to an& state fa#ing internal resistan#e or su)version.
(1ellam&% *!!"
iii. This norm is still relevant% refle#ted in the highl& #ontroversial de)ate over
9&anmar and the a#tions of its militar& regime% in its )rutal #ra#(do$n on
1uddhist mon(s in *!!@% and its refusal of international aid in the
aftermath of the humanitarian disaster #aused )& C&#lone :argis in *!!..
). Consensus-)ased 2e#ision-ma(ing
i. The ASEA: $a& as a 'oliti#al 'ro#ess relies on a #onsultative% #onsensus-
)ased de#ision-ma(ing 'ro#edure that allo$s ea#h mem)er state to
arti#ulate its national interests and o)?e#tions )efore an& #on#lusion is
made% ma(ing the organi3ation a )etter vehi#le for se#uring national
o)?e#tives in a regional #onte+t. (1ellam&% *!!!"
ii. The ASEA: norm of #onsensus-)ased de#ision-ma(ing $as )ased on the
traditional Indonesian village values of musyawarah (#onsultation" and
muafakat (#onsensus"% $hi#h meant negotiation as e7uals and friends% and
a 'referen#e for #om'romise over divisive de)ate. (Antoli(% 199!"
iii. Its relevan#e $as illustrated )& the de)ates over an in#on#lusive -uman
Rights me#hanism in the ASEA: Charter% $ith the vagueness of the
agreement itself 'roving the long sear#h for #om'romise )et$een the
di'lomats of ea#h mem)er state% in#luding authoritarian regimes li(e
9&anmar0s State Pea#e and 2evelo'ment Coun#il (SP2C".
#. :on-use of 6or#e in 2is'utes
i. In order to live u' to its 'ur'ose of dee'ening #oo'eration and in#reasing
regional se#urit& )et$een mem)er states% ASEA: has #onstantl&
reiterated% through formal and informal #hannels% the renun#iation of the
threat or use of for#e in settling an& (ind of dis'ute )et$een states.
(9orada% *!!."
ii. The non-use of for#e in dis'utes has served as a vehi#le to strengthen the
sovereignt& and integrit& of small mem)er states li(e Singa'ore and
1runei. The free3ing of )order dis'utes )et$een states li(e 9ala&sia% the
Phili''ines% and Indonesia also o'ened u' the ne#essar& 'oliti#al s'a#e for
elites to #on#entrate on national #onsolidation. (1ellam&% *!!"
iii. Its relevan#e #an )e seen to this da&% in the fa#t that no interstate $ar has
ever )ro(en out )et$een ASEA: mem)er states. -o$ever% the #ontinuing
armed #onfrontation )et$een Cam)odia and Thailand over the tem'le
grounds of Preah Bihear is a )rea#h of the in?un#tion against the threat of
for#e. The ongoing situation is an em)arrassment to ASEA:% )ut has not
&et )ro(en do$n into a full-s#ale $ar )et$een mem)er states.
5. The three traditional norms of ASEA: $ere #reated to a##ommodate #onverging interests
)et$een mem)er states% and the& remain relevant )& #ontinuing to re#on#ile the different
national interests of the mem)er states in relation to ASEA:.
8. The demo#rati3ation momentum rea#hed Southeast Asia in the 199!s% 'rom'ting 7uasi-
authoritarian leaders li(e 9ala&sia0s 9ahathir and Singa'ore0s Eee Cuan Ge$ to 'ro#laim the
need for less li)eral and more authoritarian /Asian BaluesF% )ut the rest of the region did not
em)ra#e the ne$ dis#ourse. (9orada% *!!."
C. Com'arisons

1. The 'henomenon of regionalism as institutionali3ed interstate #oo'eration has s'read around the
glo)e% #reating different (inds of intergovernmental organi3ations and su'ranational institutions.
(Christiansen% *!!5"
*. The Euro'ean <nion (E<" re'resents a ver& different form of regional organi3ation% $hen
#om'ared $ith ASEA:A
a. ;rgani3ational ;rigins
i. Euro'ean integration $as a #ontinuous 'ro?e#t )egun )& the formation of
the Euro'ean Coal and Steel Communit& (ECSC" in 1951% a 'ro#ess that
$ould #reate a greater Euro'ean E#onomi# Communit& (EEC" in 195@%
and through the 9aastri#ht Treat& of 199,% the Euro'ean <nion% adding
more mem)ers along the $a&.
ii. Southeast Asian regionalism gre$ dis#ontinuousl&% starting and stalling
ever& so often% as in the failure of SEAT;% ASA% and 9a'hilindo as
organi3ations% )efore the eventual #reation of ASEA: in 198@. (Calder >
6u(u&ama% *!!."
). ;rgani3ational Intentions
i. 1oth the E< and ASEA: 'ro?e#ts $ere #ons#iousl& )egun as e#onomi#
and so#io-#ultural grou'ings )efore e+'anding into 'oliti#al #on#erns% as
refle#ted in the dis#ourse of the /highF and /lo$F 'oliti#s of glo)al
governan#e. (Antoli(% 199!"
ii. 1oth the E< and ASEA: used #onverging interests in the /lo$ 'oliti#sF
of e#onomi# affairs to in#rease the se#urit& of ea#h state% as $hen
e#onomi# integration through the ESCS made the /$ar-ma(ingF industries
of #oal and steel a regional #on#ern instead of a national one.
(Christiansen% *!!5"
#. ;rgani3ational ;'erations
i. The E< is )uilt on the three 'illars of a single mar(et% a Common 6oreign
and Se#urit& Poli#&% and 4usti#e and -ome Affairs% $ith the institutions of
a Euro'ean Commission (EC"% a Euro'ean Parliament (EP"% among other
formal )odies t&ing together these issue areas. (Alesina > Diava33i% *!!."
ii. ASEA: has agreed on the three 'illars of an ASEA: Se#urit&
Communit&% an ASEA: E#onomi# Communit&% and an ASEA: So#io-
Cultural Communit&% held together )& an ASEA: Se#retariat led )& a
Se#retar&-Deneral% $ith various other grou's. (see aseanse#.org"
iii. The highest E< )od& is the Coun#il of Euro'e% made u' of heads of
government and the EC 'resident. The EC is a fun#tioning e+e#utive%
initiating and managing regulations and 'oli#ies% $hile the EP is also a
fun#tioning legislature that a''roves )udgets.
iv. The highest ASEA: )od& is the ASEA: 9eeting of -eads of State and
Dovernment. There is an annual ASEA: Summit along $ith various
9inisterial 9eetings. The ASEA: Se#retariat #oordinates and im'lements
ASEA: initiatives.
d. ;rgani3ational Communit&-1uilding
i. 5hile the E< has entren#hed a formida)le formal )ureau#ra#& $ith its
#enter in 1russels% #om'lete $ith EC% EP% and a Euro'ean Court of 4usti#e
(EC4"% ASEA: )egan as an informal /#lu)F of nations that still 'rides
itself on a friendl&% relationshi'-)ased 'oliti#al 'ro#ess )et$een di'lomats.
(Antoli(% 199!"
ii. 5here the E< )ureau#ra#& esta)lished its )ureau#rati# 'o$er $ith reams
of legislation% #onsolidating its institution through legali3ation% ASEA:
has strengthened #ommunit& )uilding through setting norms instead of
la$s. ASEA: has no 'arliament or ?udi#iar&% )ut a relativel& $ea(
se#retariat that #oordinates various 'rograms. (Alesina > Diava33i% *!!."
e. ;rgani3ational :orms
i. The E< is the #ulmination of a li)eral 'ro?e#t that sought to 'a#if& Euro'e
not onl& )& )inding national e#onomies together in a single mar(et% )ut
also of a 'oliti#al li)eralism that )inds national governments to a single
#on#e'tion of human rights and #ivil li)erties% as re'resented )& the
Charter on 6undamental Rights of the Euro'ean <nion.
ii. ASEA: is )uilt on fundamental norms of mutual res'e#t for ea#h state0s
sovereignt& and territor&% non-interferen#e in ea#h state0s internal affairs%
and the renun#iation of the use of for#e% hen#e the 'ea#eful settlement of
5
dis'utes. (9orada% *!!."
f. ;rgani3ational 6oundations
i. The E< is a su'ranational entit& $hose institutions serve a regional
'ur'ose that #an run inde'endentl& of national state interests% as in the
#ase of the EC% EP% and EC4. ASEA: is ultimatel& an intergovernmental
organi3ation $hose ver& e+isten#e is de'endent on the interests of its
mem)er states.
ii. 5hile the E< $as #reated $ith a su'ranational mandate% ASEA: $as
)uilt to serve the nationalist ends of its mem)er states in a regional
se#urit& that $ould allo$ national #onsolidation. It is nationalism that
'revents its further integration. (:eher% *!!*"
,. ASEA: and the E< $ere founded on a similar logi# of e#onomi# #oo'eration 'rogressivel&
leading to regional sta)ilit&% )ut $ere #onstru#ted in ver& different $a&s% $ith ASEA: designed
as a norm-)ased intergovernmental grou'ing and the E< designed as a legalisti# su'ranational
)ureau#ra#&.
. Presentl&% the e+'ansion and entren#hment of E< federalism has )een held u' )& the failures of
the E< Constitution and the Treat& of Eis)on% $hile the 1ali Con#ord II and the ASEA: Charter
move ASEA: to$ards dee'er institutionali3ation and regional #ommunit& )uilding.
III. The 6uture of ASEA:
A. 1ali Con#ord II
1. The 2e#laration of ASEA: II $as signed at the ASEA: Summit of ;#to)er @% *!!,% in 1ali%
Indonesia% as an offi#ial do#ument de#laring the im'lementation of ideas from the 'revious
frame$or( of ASEA: Bision *!*! and other organi3ational 'lans.
*. Cno$n as the 1ali Con#ord II% the multilateral de#laration $as seen as a su##essor to the original
2e#laration of ASEA: Con#ord 'ro#laimed in 1ali in 19@8% and thus set the tone and agenda for
the further institutionali3ation of the ASEA: regional 'ro?e#t% its integration hastened as a
rea#tion to the #om'etitive regional 'ressures rat#heted u' )& glo)ali3ation and the e#onomi#
rise of other Asian 'o$ers. (9orada% *!!."
,. The 1ali Con#ord II esta)lished three 'illars signaling the #reation and e+'ansion of the ASEA:
Communit& )& em'hasi3ing the mutual im'ortan#e and regional integration of the ASEA:
Se#urit& Communit& (ASC"% the ASEA: E#onomi# Communit& (AEC"% and the ASEA: So#io-
Cultural Communit& (ASCC"A
a. ASEA: Se#urit& Communit&
i. The ASC des#ri)es a more #oo'erative regional grou'ing in line $ith
traditional ASEA: norms of mutual res'e#t for sovereignt&% non-
interferen#e in domesti# affairs% and the 'ea#eful settlement of dis'utes.
(see aseanse#.org"
ii. The signifi#an#e of the 1ali Con#ord II in the #reation of the ASC is its
a##e'tan#e and ado'tion of the dis#ourse of #om'rehensive se#urit& in
international relations% )roadening the 'oliti#o-militar& #onsiderations of
traditional Southeast Asian se#urit& thin(ing into a $ider realm of issues
en#om'assing health and the environment.
). ASEA: E#onomi# Communit&
i. The AEC reali3es the rhetori# of ASEA: mem)er states in e#onomi#
integration% not ?ust through trade li)erali3ation% )ut also through #loser
regional #oo'eration% from re#ogni3ing national edu#ational 7ualifi#ations
to #losing the /develo'ment ga'F )et$een ri#h and 'oor mem)er states
through aid. (9orada% *!!."
ii. The signifi#an#e of the 1ali Con#ord II for the future of the AEC is in its
vision of ASEA: as a single mar(et and 'rodu#tion )ase% a level of
e#onomi# integration rarel& invo(ed in 'revious ASEA: dis#ourses%
en#om'assing the ASEA: 6ree Trade Area (A6TA" and fa#ilitated )&
regional me#hanisms li(e the ASEA: 6rame$or( Agreement on Servi#es
(A6AS" and ASEA: Investment Area (AIA".
#. ASEA: So#io-Cultural Communit&
i. The ASCC fulfills the old ASEA: res'onsi)ilit& for the )ringing the
diverse #ultures and so#ieties of Southeast Asia together in a ne$
/'artnershi'F of /#aring so#ietiesF% fo#using on )oosting edu#ation% ?o)
#reation% so#ial se#urit&% and 'u)li# health for the 'eo'les of ASEA:% all
of them vital $a&s to in#rease individual human #a'ital. (9orada% *!!."
8
ii. The signifi#an#e of the ASCC 'illar is in its 'romise to rea#h out to
'reviousl& ignored or marginali3ed se#tors in the regional #ivil so#iet&%
su#h as $omen0s grou's% &outh grou's% and lo#al #ommunities%
en#ouraging the 'arti#i'ation from the ground u' in the #onstru#tion of a
more 'eo'le-#entered and demo#rati# ASEA: Communit&.
. The 1ali Con#ord II $as a signifi#ant do#ument )e#ause it outlined a 'lan for the future of
ASEA: as an organi3ation and as a regional #ommunit&% )ased on three familiar 'illars that
#ontinued to )uild on 'revious norms and agreements.
5. The Bientiane A#tion Program (BAP"% 'ro#laimed in *!!% e+'ands on the frame$or( 'rovided
)& the 1ali Con#ord II )& identif&ing s'e#ifi# norms of 'ea#eful #oo'eration $ithin the ASC% as
$ell as s'e#ifi# targets and 11 'riorit& se#tors in the AEC% ultimatel& serving as a more detailed
roadma' for a#hieving the #on#ord0s goals.
1. ASEA: Charter
1. The institutional frame$or( of the 1ali Con#ord II 'ushed the #on#e't of an ASEA: Charter as
a guiding legal do#ument for the organi3ation0s e+'ansion. (9orada% *!!."
*. The desire for in#reased institutionali3ation did not ?ust #ome from ASEA:0s Tra#( I 'ro#ess
)et$een the formal state re'resentatives% )ut also from Tra#( II% involving #ivil so#iet&% and
Tra#( III% involving )oth #ivil so#iet& and lo#al re'resentatives. (-ernande3% *!!@"
,. The initiative to draft an ASEA: Charter formall& )egan in the ASEA: Summit of *!!5% held in
Cuala Eum'ur% $here the mem)ers de#ided to #reate an Eminent Persons Drou' (EPD" on the
ASEA: Charter to re#ommend for$ard-loo(ing% )old% and innovative ne$ ideas for the #harter.
. The EPD on the ASEA: Charter% made u' of res'e#ted elder statesmen and former heads of
governments from the various mem)er states% engaged in e+tensive regional #onsultation $ith
regional #ivil so#iet&% in#reasing ho'es of a genuinel& 'eo'le-#entered ASEA: )uilt on ne$
norms of 'arti#i'ator& regionalism and re#ommended several im'ortant innovations for in#lusion
in the ASEA: Charter. (9orada% *!!."A
a. Im'ortant Re#ommendations
i. Creation of a regional -uman Rights 9e#hanism
ii. In#lusion of International -umanitarian Ea$ and the Res'onsi)ilit& to
Prote#t (R*P" 'rin#i'le redefining sovereignt& in relation to a state0s
#iti3ens
iii. :on-#onsensus-)ased 2e#ision-ma(ing
iv. Creation of Consultative 9e#hanisms rea#hing out to Civil So#iet&
v. Provisions Against <n#onstitutional Changes in Dovernment
vi. Provisions to San#tion Erring 9em)ers% in#luding the threat of e+'ulsion
from the organi3ation
5. 5ith high e+'e#tations sto(ed )& the 'romise of the EPD re'ort and its suggestions% a -igh
Eevel Tas( 6or#e (-ET6" made u' of )ureau#rats and di'lomats )egan $or( on a final draft of
the ASEA: Charter% to )e 'resented at the 1,
th
ASEA: Summit in Singa'ore% in :ovem)er
*!!@. (-ernande3% *!!@"
8. The ASEA: Charter $as signed )& the mem)er states on :ovem)er *!% *!!@% and entered into
for#e on 2e#em)er 15% *!!.% esta)lishing ASEA: as an organi3ation $ith a legal 'ersonalit&
and a single free-trade area% as $ell as #odif&ing traditional ASEA: norms li(e the im'ortan#e
of regional #oo'eration% res'e#t for national territor& and sovereignt&% and the 'ea#eful
settlement of dis'utes% along $ith strengthening the ASEA: se#retariat and 'ushing for
'ermanent re'resentation from the mem)ers.
@. The ASEA: Charter serves as an offi#ial foundation for the #onstru#tion of an ASEA:
Communit& )ased on the , 'illars set out )& the 1ali Con#ord IIA
a. The ASEA: Charter and the ASC
i. 5ith ea#h state sending its o$n 'ermanent re'resentative to 4a(arta% the
'ro#ess of arti#ulating and #oordinating national interests $ith ASEA:
'oli#& is streamlined sin#e ea#h state0s 'oli#ies are readil& a##essi)le%
even in the event of a #risis.
ii. 5hile the human rights me#hanism in the #harter is $atered do$n% its
'resen#e in the #harter a#(no$ledges the organi3ation0s a##e'tan#e of the
human rights dis#ourse and its gro$ing legitima#&% regardless of the
'referen#es of some mem)er states.
). The ASEA: Charter and the AEC
i. The #harter0s in#lusion of a timeline for the elimination of nontariff
)arriers and restri#tions on servi#es% monitored )& the ASEA: Se#retariat%
set the agenda on trade li)erali3ation and 'rovides #lear dire#tions for the
@
mem)er states to follo$.
ii. The ado'tion of a )lue'rint for e#onomi# integration )& *!15 also outlines
the long-term 'riorities of the organi3ation% moving ASEA: a$a& from
)eing a short-term 'oliti#al instrument and to$ards #reating a distin#t
organi3ational identit&.
#. The ASEA: Charter and the ASCC
i. The #harter esta)lishes a formal )asis for ASEA: identit&% through
me#hanisms su#h as an ASEA: holida&% ASEA: motto% ASEA: anthem%
ASEA: em)lem and ASEA: flag.
ii. The #harter sets aside a role for the ASEA: 6oundation% t&ing it #loser to
the Se#retar&-Deneral and in#reasing its 'oliti#al 'rofile $ithin the
organi3ation.
.. The final ASEA: Charter disa''ointed most of the re'resentatives of Tra#(s II and III in
#atering to the interests of the most #onservative )ureau#rats and di'lomats% re?e#ting the )oldest
'ro'osals of the EPD and diluting the 'o$er of the regional human rights me#hanism )& refusing
to even #onsider san#tions. (9orada% *!!."
9. 5hile the ASEA: Charter has alread& entered into for#e% due to its ratifi#ation )& all mem)er
states% there remain signifi#ant issues related to its ado'tionA
a. Enfor#ing Coo'eration
i. The $ea(ening of the human rights and dis'ute settlement me#hanisms%
#ou'led $ith the relian#e on a)solute #onsensus% #reates a 'ro)lem of
enfor#ing #oo'eration on errant ASEA: states% 'arti#ularl& di'lomati#
outliers li(e 9&anmar.
). E#onomi# Integration
i. The vision of an ASEA: single mar(et #ould )e threatened )& the
e#onomi# diffi#ulties generated )& the $orsening glo)al e#onomi# #risis%
#reating 'otential national 'oliti#al 'ressures that #ould )a#(lash against
the goal of regional e#onomi# integration.
#. 2evelo'ment Da'
i. The e#onomi# develo'ment ga' )et$een the original mem)ers and the
ne$l& a##e'ted states of Indo#hina #ould e+'and into the 'oliti#al realm
as $ell% #reating a /t$o-tieredF organi3ation that #annot unite around
#ommon norms su#h as res'e#t for human rights% des'ite the rhetori# of
the ASEA: Charter.
d. Parti#i'ator& Relevan#e
i. The #harter defines the organi3ation as a grou' of states% marginali3ing the
#on#erns of lo#al grou's and #ivil so#iet&% leading to in#reasing 7uestions
over the #harter0s relevan#e to ASEA: 'eo'les% not ?ust their
governments.
1!. Although the ASEA: Charter does not live u' to the ideals 'ro'osed )& the EPD% it still serves
as a relevant% resilient% and #oherent legal foundation for the future #onsolidation of the ASEA:
Communit&% refle#ting the organi3ation0s tradition of al$a&s a)iding )& #onsultation% #onsensus%
and #onverging state interests.
IB. Con#lusion
A. ASEA: and the 2evelo'ment of Southeast Asian Regionalism
1. The su##ess of ASEA: amidst the failure of other attem'ts at Southeast Asian regionalism
reveals the im'ortan#e of a##ommodating #onverging state interests and a favora)le interstate
environment in an& effort to #reate a regional organi3ation.
*. The longevit& of ASEA: is rooted in the fle+i)ilit& of its traditional norms in allo$ing mem)er
states to 'ursue national interests that do not fit into the organi3ation0s frame$or(% su#h as the
$a& anti-#ommunism and e#onomi# #oo'eration 'ersisted des'ite e+isting territorial tensions
and mutual sus'i#ions.
1. ASEA: Intentions
1. The intentions of the ASEA: founder states $as in an organi3ation that #ould se#ure sta)ilit&
)et$een states in the region% as a vehi#le to #on#entrate national resour#es in #onsolidating the
'o$er of national elites% strengthening ea#h state0s legitima#&.
*. These informal intentions $ere #ou#hed in formal language and dis#ourses 'ro#laiming the
im'ortan#e of ASEA: as a regional #lu) that #ould foster #oo'eration in e#onomi# and #ultural
issues.
.
C. ASEA: :orms
1. The ASEA: 5a&% as a #olle#tion of organi3ational norms% $as )ased on the o'eration of an
informal% #onsultative 'ro#edure that em'hasi3ed the im'ortan#e of #onsensus )et$een the
mem)er states.
*. The relevan#e of these traditional norms e+'lains the #ontinued e+isten#e of ASEA: as an
organi3ation% )ased on mutual res'e#t for sovereignt&% non-interferen#e in domesti# affairs% and
the renun#iation of the use of for#e in dis'ute settlement.
2. ASEA: as a 2istin#t ;rgani3ation
1. 5hile the E< is a su'ranational )ureau#rati# entit& en#om'assing the region% ASEA: is an
intergovernmental organi3ation $hose sole 'ur'ose is to for$ard the national interests of its
mem)er states.
*. 5hile the E< has #reated an inde'endent institutional identit& and is reliant on legislation%
ASEA: still serves as a vehi#le for state interests and is thus #onfined to setting out a##e'ta)le
#ommon norms.
E. ASEA: and the 6uture
1. The 1ali Con#ord II set out the three 'illars of an ASC% an AEC% and an ASCC in the ASEA:
Communit&% #learing the $a& for more su)stantive institutionali3ation in an organi3ation that
$as famous for serving state interests.
*. The ASEA: Charter )uilt on this 'rogram of institutionali3ation )& #odif&ing traditional norms
and 'roviding a )lue'rint and im'etus for further in#remental and state-led #onsolidation in the
emergent ASEA: Communit&.
,. The ASEA: Charter re'resents the traditional 'ers'e#tive of ASEA: as a grou' designed solel&
to for$ard the national interests of its mem)er states% $ith the institutionali3ation of norms and
stru#tures nothing more than a means to various state ends.
. 5hile the ASEA: Charter does nothing to ena)le the #reation of a 'eo'le-#entered ASEA:
$hen #om'ared to the EPD 'ro'osal% at least its state-#enteredness $ill not regress the 'revious
a#hievements of #ivil so#iet& a#tivism% 'arti#ularl& at the grassroots.
5. <nfortunatel&% the ASEA: Charter $ill #onstrain the future #onsolidation or e+'ansion of #ivil
so#iet& involvement in ASEA:% undermining the ultimate goal of #reating a more 'eo'le-
#entered ASEA: organi3ation.
a. The #odifi#ation of traditional state-#entered norms in the #harter might 'rovide an
institutional o''ortunit& for authoritarian mem)ers to #ra#( do$n on legitimate #riti#ism.
). 6ormali3ing the norm of #onsensus de#ision-ma(ing allo$s mem)er states to set the
agenda e+#lusivel&% 'otentiall& marginali3ing dissenting voi#es from #ivil so#iet&.
#. Eeaving o'en future /terms of referen#eF for the regional human rights )od& gives more
leverage for authoritarian mem)ers in ASEA:% as o''osed to their $ea(ened #riti#s.
d. The 'oli#& of /a##reditationF for #ivil so#iet& grou's that $ant to )e re#ogni3ed as
ASEA: 'artners adds an undue filter to the 'arti#i'ation 'ro#ess )& for#ing them to
#onstantl& evin#e /su''ort for ASEA: 'oli#iesF% allo$ing ASEA: to mono'oli3e
dis#ourse in an& future offi#ial intera#tion $ith regional #ivil so#iet&.
&i'lio%raph(
1oo(s and Pa'ers
9
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1ellam&% Ale+ 4. (*!!". /The Pursuit of Se#urit& in Southeast AsiaA 1e&ond RealismF. In 9ar( 1eeson (Ed."% Contemporary
Southeast Asia: Regional Dynamics National Differences (''. 158-1@@". :e$ Gor(A Palgrave 9a#millan% *!!
1erger% 9ar( T. (*!!". /2e#oloni3ing Southeast AsiaA :ationalism% Revolution and the Cold 5arF. In 9ar( 1eeson (Ed."%
Contemporary Southeast Asia: Regional Dynamics National Differences (''. ,!-9". :e$ Gor(A Palgrave 9a#millan% *!!
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Elson% Ro)ert. (*!!". /Reinventing a RegionA Southeast Asia and the Colonial E+'erien#eF. In 9ar( 1eeson (Ed."%
Contemporary Southeast Asia: Regional Dynamics National Differences (''. 15-*9". :e$ Gor(A Palgrave 9a#millan% *!!
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ASEAN at /0: From Cradle to CharterF organi3ed )& the Institute of Se#urit& and International Studies% Chulalong(orn
<niversit& $ith the Conrad Adenauer Stiftung% held at The 6our Seasons -otel% 1ang(o(% Thailand% *. August *!!@.

9orada% :oel 9. /ASEA: at !A Pros'e#ts for Communit& 1uilding in Southeast AsiaF in Asia Pa#ifi# Revie$ 15% no.1 (*!!."
:eher% Clar( 2. Southeast Asia in the New "nternational Era #/
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ed%&% 1oulder% 5estvie$ Press% *!!*
Stu))s% Ri#hard. (*!!". /ASEA:A 1uilding Regional Coo'erationF. In 9ar( 1eeson (Ed."% Contemporary Southeast Asia:
Regional Dynamics National Differences (''. *18-*,,". :e$ Gor(A Palgrave 9a#millan% *!!
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;ffi#ial 2o#uments
ASEA: ;vervie$
htt'AII$$$.aseanse#.orgI8.htm% a##essed 4anuar& *!!9
ASEA: Charter
htt'AII$$$.aseanse#.orgI*1!89.'df% a##essed 4anuar& *!!9
Re'ort of the EPD on ASEA: Charter
htt'AII$$$.aseanse#.orgI19*@.'df% a##essed 4anuar& *!!9
2e#laration of ASEA: II (1ali Con#ord II"
htt'AII$$$.aseanse#.orgI15159.htm% a##essed *! 4anuar& *!!9
1!