Reconstruction of Diplomatic Norms in Southeast Asia: The Case for Strict Adherence to the “ASEAN Way”

Abstract

Introduction Today, the Way is being challenged. In Southeast Asia, issues over the interpretation of the elements of the Way have been debated. The Way refers to a set of diplomatic norms shared by the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (1) It encourages the Southeast Asian countries to seek an informal and incremental approach to co-operation through lengthy consultation and dialogue. Its elements include the principles of noninterference in the internal affairs of other states, the non-use of force, and so on. Some scholars and analysts have been calling for a modified interpretation of these principles. Jusuf Wanandi notes that the principle of non-intervention is passe (2) Simon Tay and Jesus Estanislao argue that exceptions must be found with regard to the principles of the Way. (3) Those who suggest that the non-interference principle should be interpreted in a more way may have been inspired by the Thai proposal for flexible engagement. In July 1998, Bangkok held that issues affecting each other might be brought up and discussed by the ASEAN members, without it being perceived as interference. (4) Although the Thai proposal was supported by the Philippines, many other ASEAN members disagreed with Bangkok. Yet, today, the debate over the interpretation of the principles of the Way has not ceased. Many scholars, together with some policy-makers, are calling for a more interpretation of the principle of non-interference, while many other policy-makers are cautious of such an idea, and prefer to retain the strict interpretation of this principle. The debate has been confused, and the participants have not been able to agree on an appropriate style of regional diplomacy. It can be said that one of the main reasons behind this confusion is the lack of sufficient knowledge of the development of the Way. An appropriate style of interaction between the Southeast Asian countries can be considered only when the development of the regional diplomatic norms is thoroughly understood. Therefore, this article explores the development of the Way. An understanding of its development makes it possible to discuss the relevance of the Way in the region today. The main theme of this study is the reconstruction of global norms in a regional context, in particular, in the Southeast Asian context. In short, it holds that the basis of the Way is constituted by the norms at the global level, whose elements are stipulated in the United Nations (UN) Charter, such as the principles of non-interference and the non-use of force. Yet the Southeast Asian countries have incrementally reconstructed these ideational elements in the Asian context, thereby developing the Way, through a process of interaction over the decades since the 1960s. This process has been affected by particular factors in the Southeast Asian region: the ASEAN countries' particular concerns over state sovereignty, and their policy priorities in maintaining their domestic stability. The argument in this study, briefly articulated above, leads to the conclusion that the suggestion to interpret the principle of noninterference in a more way is premature for the countries of Southeast Asia. This is because, as will be argued in the concluding part, the political factors which affected the development of the Way have not changed much. In this respect, this study demonstrates the case for strict adherence to the Way and the noninterference principle. Finally, it should be mentioned that the focus of this article on the reconstruction of global norms in a regional context concerns an important constructivist research agenda: the development of ideational structures, including norms. (5) Constructivists' studies focusing on norms may involve either of the following two aspects: the effects of norms on the behaviour of actors or the development of norms by actors through their agency. …