Chapter 10: Nation-States, ASEAN, and Autonomy §

(F) Day of the week: Wednesday Class: IS210 Created Time: June 17, 2020 2:12 PM Database: Class Notes Database Date: June 17, 2020 2:12 PM Days Till Date: Passed Last Edited Time: June 9, 2021 10:42 AM Type: Lecture

Introduction §

1. Westphalian Framework §

ASEAN holds treaty of Westphalia (1648) $\approx$ ASEAN Way

• Respect of sovereignty
• Non-interferance
• Saving Face
• Consensus Decision making

2. Problems §

• Internal Conflict: compete for stronger/survival, picking sides
• Zero-sum game
• Weak: No decision-making/enforcement power

II. State as Actor §

ASEAN is a states’ agent: a tool for states to pursue national interests.

• National Interests $<$ Regional Norm
• Member States are who have decision making powers, ASEAN doesn’t
• ASEAN doesn’t represent all member states in dealings internationally

III. ASEAN as an Agent of States §

Contradicted Theories:

• Constructivism: “Structures comes from collective value and identity”
• Liberalism: “States cooperate, and IOs are influential”

Fits Theory:

• Realism: “States are self-interested, IOs are tools for states, lack of cooperation”

IV. The ASEAN Community §

ASEAN remained the same since before 2015

• “Old wine in new bottle”
• Ineffective system/regional organization

V. The Non-traditional Agenda §

ASEAN nations express support for democratic norms and human rights

But:

• Endorsement is not implemented by those same leaders in ASEAN nations
• Supporting western norms to gain international support

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ASEAN Way does not support democracy

• Consensus based ≠ majority based

VI. Transformation in the Regional and International Environment §

ASEAN only deal with insensitive issues and ignore each other’s wrong doings

ASEAN cannot deal with crisis only balance power or preventive methods

VII. The Subordinate Regional States System §

Subordinate Role: ASEAN seek world powers to rely on to balance major power competition

• ASEAN member states act separately by supporting different super powers
• ASEAN could break down if the role of ‘Consensus’ continue to disrupt collective decision-makings