Question

What are the main purposes in the establishment of regional organisations? Write about the success of ASEAN in attaining these objectives.

Hint:

When evaluating a regional organization like ASEAN, structure your answer around its core pillars: economic, socio-cultural, and security. The "ASEAN Way" is a crucial concept to mention as it explains the unique mechanism behind its diplomatic success.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question has two parts. The first part asks for the general reasons why countries in a particular geographical region form organizations. The second part requires a specific evaluation of one such organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in terms of its success in achieving its goals.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Part 1: Main Purposes of Regional Organisations
Regional organizations are formed by states within a specific geographical area to pursue common goals. The main purposes are:
1. To Accelerate Economic Growth and Social Progress: By creating common markets, reducing trade barriers, and promoting joint economic projects, member countries aim to boost their collective economic development. This includes cooperation in areas like trade, investment, and infrastructure.
2. To Promote Regional Peace and Stability: Regional organizations provide a platform for member states to resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and negotiation. They help build trust and establish norms of conduct, reducing the likelihood of conflict within the region.
3. To Enhance Collective Bargaining Power: By acting as a unified bloc, member countries can have a stronger voice and greater influence in global affairs and in negotiations with other countries or international bodies, compared to what they could achieve individually.
4. To Address Common Regional Challenges: They work together to tackle shared problems such as terrorism, environmental degradation, drug trafficking, and pandemics that cross national borders.
Part 2: Success of ASEAN in Attaining its Objectives
ASEAN was established in 1967 with the objectives of promoting economic, social, and cultural development, as well as ensuring regional peace and security. It has achieved considerable success in these areas:
1. Success in Maintaining Regional Peace (ASEAN Way):
- ASEAN's greatest success has been in managing inter-state relations and preventing large-scale conflict among its diverse members.
- It has fostered a unique method of interaction known as the "ASEAN Way," which emphasizes non-interference, consultation, and consensus-building. This has transformed Southeast Asia from a region of conflict into one of relative peace and stability. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) provides a platform for discussing security issues.
2. Success in Economic Integration:
- ASEAN has successfully promoted economic cooperation. The establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) has significantly reduced tariffs among member states.
- This has led to the creation of an integrated production base and market, attracting foreign investment and making the region an economic powerhouse. The vision of an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) further deepens this integration.
3. Success in External Relations:
- ASEAN has become a central player in the wider Asia-Pacific region's diplomatic and security architecture.
- It has established dialogue partnerships with major world powers (USA, China, India, Japan) and serves as the primary driver of regional forums like the East Asia Summit (EAS), giving it a diplomatic weight far greater than the sum of its individual members.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The main purposes of regional organizations are to promote economic growth, ensure regional peace, enhance collective influence, and tackle common challenges. ASEAN has been highly successful in attaining these objectives by maintaining regional stability through the "ASEAN Way," fostering significant economic integration via AFTA and the AEC, and establishing itself as a central diplomatic actor in the Asia-Pacific region.