SS

Constraints

There are three constraints including the extension of norms, source of regional conflict and Asia Pacific Security challenge.

Extension of norms becomes source of conflict

ASEAN is an organization provoking the concept of community. In other words, ASEAN is pursuing “One Southeast Asia”. But it is difficult to achieve due to two reasons. The first reason is large political and ideological difference and domestic fragility in some member states. Not all of them are willing to accept norms given by ASEAN like the doctrine of non-interference. The second reason is new challenges after the expansion of ASEAN. ASEAN enhance interactions but it may also incur burdens. Intra-mural tensions involving new members may exist after the expansion. Case of Vietnam and Burma will be used for elaboration.

Vietnam was the enemy of ASEAN during the Cold War. After that, Vietnam started economic reform to get close with ASEAN. Finally, Vietnam joined ASEAN. Even she committed to bear obligation of ASEAN, she still cannot change the realist mind that getting close with a great power to confront another country. Balance of power is a goal of ASEAN in the view of Vietnam. This contradicts with the idea of Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) pursed by ASEAN. ZOPFAN aims at regional autonomy through cooperation but not containment.

Burma is an authoritarian state. Human right abuse is serious. The society is under the control of military junta. Her behaviors strongly violate ZOPFAN. For instance, pro-democracy demonstration was suppressed by the government. In 1990, the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi got decisive victory in the election. But the result was denied by the government. In addition, Aung Sa...

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...rmal institution. There is no legal binding resolution for the members. It totally relies on commitment of members which is unreliable. In terms of realism, things tend to be solved based on power (Acharya, 2001). This lowers the influence of ASEAN on formatting Asia Pacific security community.

Conclusion

To conclude, the world should pay more attention to the ASEAN due to the rise of Southeast Asia these years. Prospects of ASEAN should be the enhancement of economic community of the Southeast Asian countries, managing external relations and managing external relations. However, narrow definition of norms constraints the development of ASEAN in terms of politics and economy. It makes ASEAN vulnerable to tension between great powers. ASEAN also find it difficult to build up Asian Pacific security community. Moreover, it may induces conflict among member states.