New Political Roles for ASEAN

Abstract

In the context of rapid changes in the external environment, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is searching for new political roles that adjust to relevant changes. From the ASEAN perspective, three interlocking sets of issues predominate in driving change: evolution in Pacific power structures; a new context of security concerns; and a rapidly proliferating set of diplomatically relevant institutions. Some aspects of these issues are ‘fallout’ from the wider international system: the Asian security system is undergoing change as a result of the collapse of the old Soviet threat, while the new Russian Republic is pressing to become an integral part of the emerging Pacific system; ASEAN economic and political cooperation has been reinvigorated by movement toward a more regionalized world order in other geographic arenas like Europe and the Americas. Other aspects are more of Pacific origin: Japan is searching for new political and economic roles; all Pacific states are adjusting to rapid change in US military and economic roles; Pacific economic and political institutions are developing rapidly.