The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

This study provides a structural analysis of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) role in Southeast Asia's regional development and conflict. Part I of the book concentrates on ASEAN's dispute management mechanism and applies Robert Fritz's theory of structural dynamics. It introduces the main structural factors influencing the organization's dispute management system and identifies avoidance and consensus building as the two central procedures. ASEAN's oscillation between success and failure is also discussed by identifying the root causes underlying the structural instability. How to overcome ASEAN's internal organization conflicts leading to oscillation through structural dynamics is also discussed. This section concludes by presenting a general overview of ASEAN's role in dealing with regional conflict through preventive diplomacy and possibly peace-building. Part II concentrates on socio-economic development and trade, providing an overview of socio-economic development in the region, as well as some important intra-regional trade barriers. It applies structural dynamics to the problem of economic and trade oscillation in ASEAN. Based on ASEAN's official goal of creating a socio-cultural community, Part III of the book tackles the structural conflicts present due to the region's diverse socio-cultural makeup. The complementary processes of avoidance and consensus building are presented as the central mechanisms through which ASEAN can construct shared norms and thus overcome inherent organizational conflicts. It also presents an overview of ASEAN's path towards a socio-cultural community through a structural lens. Part IV presents general conclusions and proposes possible future directions for further research. It ties together the previous three sections by providing an overview of ASEAN's future in the region's development and conflict.