ASEAN’s role in relations to external powers on Southeast Asian political and security aspects in the Post-Cold War Era : case studies of the ARF and EAS

Abstract

ASEAN’s reputation has been achieved partly thanks to its growing relations with external states, especially with major powers, such as the U.S., China, Japan, India, EU, and Russia. ASEAN has played a positive and active role in tying external powers in its relations. In the political and security aspects, ASEAN’s reputation is shown in the regional multilateral institutions, namely the ARF and EAS. As the multilateralism and regionalism were the main trend in the international relations in Asia-Pacific and East Asia after the Cold War, ASEAN formed the ARF in 1994 and EAS in 2005 in order to provide a venue for ASEAN and external powers to share and discuss regional interests. Thus, the thesis argues that within the institutional framework of the ARF and EAS ASEAN has promoted relations to extra-regional states to get them involved in regional politics and security. The thesis gives particular attention to three sets of ASEAN’s role: 1) forming multilateral security institutions; 2) building institutional norms and rules; and 3) balancing powers. The last role is especially reflected in the EAS by ASEAN’s attempt to involve all major powers in the institution despite China’s objection. The U.S. and Russia’s recent participation in the EAS in 2011 marked the success of ASEAN in this role. In balancing powers, the thesis also argues that ASEAN chooses not to take sides in any power though the reason for this role might retrieve from the so-called “China threat”. Yet, it needs more time to achieve a comprehensive and exact judgement on ASEAN’s effort to involve the U.S. and Russia in the EAS. The thesis uses the case studies of the ARF and EAS since both of them has attracted participation of all the world major powers and other states. Thus, it helps to examine more comprehensively and fully ASEAN’s role in relation to external powers on Southeast Asian political and security aspects from the end of the Cold War till now.