Perceived Elitist and State-Centric Regional Integration Process: Impact on Public Opinions for the Formation of ASEAN Community

Abstract

Scholars argue that ASEAN is a community of nations and not a community of people. Decision making in ASEAN have been concentrated within the higher echelon of leadership, with little public engagement. This article analyses whether public attitudes and supports for the formation of ASEAN Community were affected by the perception of elitist formation of the regionalism initiative. It employs public opinion surveys to gather feedback from respondents about issues under study. The surveys conducted in eleven cities in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Statistical analyses were employed for the study. Several findings were discovered; Firstly, it finds the respondents perceived that the formation of ASEAN Community is beneficial. Secondly, they strongly support the formation of the regional community. Thirdly, the formation is perceived as elitist and state-centric as they did not involve the people. Finally, the study concludes that the perceptions of elitist state-centric formation of ASEAN Community do have effects on the perception of benefits and supports. As such, the study implies that ASEAN should actively involve the public through public opinion surveys for its policies and issues of its establishment. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s1p203