The
association of South East Asian Nation, ASEAN, is a very geographic, political
and economic organization of the ten countries in south East Asia. The association came into being 1967
a loose organization with Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the
Philippines as Pioneer members. The association later expanded to include Burma
Bruneirs Cambodia, Laos and Vidnam. These are full members of ASEAN
ASEAN was preceded by an organization
called the Association of South East Asia, ASA formed in 1961 comprising the
Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. ASEAN was established in 1967 when the
foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singa pore and Thailand
met in Bangkok, the Thai capital and signed the ASEAN declaration, which came
to be known as the Bangkok, declaration.
Broadly
speaking, ASEAN could be described as a product of the cold war. At a time when
issues of international significance were mirrored along the East-West
ideological stigmatization, ASEAN elites felt a need for a more non-aligned
forum where issues of nation building could be harnessed. The fear of communism
from the east was balanced by an equal lack of faith in the western alliance
creating a climate of distrust and fear towards the outside environment. There
was an urgent desire to lay solid foundations for the economic development of
the respective countries involved and the entire region as a bloc. There was also
the hope, particularly on the parts of Malaysia and Singapore, to contain what
it saw as Indonesia’s hegemonic aspirations through the instrument of ASEAN.
The feeling here is that under the umbrella of ASEAN, members would be more
co-operative and less aggressive, thereby compelling each member to appreciate
the desire for amore co-operative frame work..
Apart
from geographical location, a prospective ASEAN membership must depend on the
acceptance of the ASEAN treaty of amity and co-operation signed in 1976. It is
also expected that members must meet the established trade liberalization
requirements guiding the admission of new members. A prospective member must
also win the consensus approval of all ASEAN members before such applications
deemed successful.
ASEAN treaty allows now substantive members to attend
meeting and relate with the organization on a co-operative basis. Some
countries enjoy observer status which allows them to attend ASEAN meetings such
the ministerial conference the ASEAN regional forum and the post ministerial
conference countries outside the ASEAN region but who expresses significant
interests in South-East Asia are granted dialogue partnership many countries
outside the immediate ASEAN Geographical environment enjoy this status. This is
a further reflection of ASEAN relevance in the political and economic
consideration of other countries as a major player. Dialogue partners
participate in the post- ministerial conference and ASEAN regional forum.
Dialogue members of ASEAN include US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, the European
Union, Russia, China, India, Australia and New Zealand. ASEAN has a free trade
agreement with all these countries. The 1980s was a period of rapid economic
growth for ASEAN countries. This led to the expansion of membership aimed at
accommodating countries in the region with less economic capabilities. In 1996,
ASEAN took a major political step by declaring that all south-east Asian
countries would be granted membership of the organization by the year 2000. The
implication of this move was that second tier developing economies were brought
into the organization. The weak economics of Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Victnam
required policy adjustments and creation of now set of guidelines in order to
accommodate these lesser. Developed economic symptoms.
POLITICAL FLEXIBILITY:
One of the major factors responsible for
the formation of ASEAN was to guard against the treat of communism from china and
Indo china countries (Combodia, Laos and Vietlan. These countries were however
quickly assimilated into the organization. ASEAN do not have a laid down
practice on political systems and human rights issues. Never at any points in
the history of ASEAN were matters such as democracy, internal political
conditions and human rights issues allowed to play significant roles in ASEAN
relationship. The organizations do not look upon these factors as criteria for
membership. The probably explains why countries with the most human rights
rewards and democratic abuses are found within the organization ASEAN
emphasizes a deliberate policy of political tolerance towards its members
states.
ASEAN
parades an array of different political system and connotations. In the
Philippines and to a reasonable extent Thailand and Indonesia. Their democratic
openness are graving. In Malaysia. Despotism and Plutocracy is still the order
of the day. Communication dictatorship remaining Vietnam and Laos while
absolute monarchy holds sway in Brunoi. Burma holds invariable record as one of
the last vestiges of repressive military dictatorships in the world.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
The fundamental principles of ASEAN include the
following
1. Marital
respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity
and national identity of all nations
2. The
right of every state to lead its nation existence free from external
interference, subversion or coercion.
3. Non-interference
in the internal affairs of on another
4. Settlement
of differences or disputes by peaceful unlearns.
5. Renunciation
of the threat or use of force.
6. Effective
co-operation among one another.
7. The
acceleration of economic growth, social progress social progress, and cultural
development among member states.
REGIONAL SECURITY
During
its first 20 years of existence, asean concentrated its energy on building
economic cultural and social ties among its members. In the 1990s however, the
organization decided to bring into focus widen issues of political and security
dimensions aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region.
In
1993, the ASEAN regional forum (A.R.F) was created. This became a multi-lateral
consultative forum whose aim was to promote preventive diplomacy, transparency
defecne maters and confidence building in the region although ARF is primarily
concerned with regional security co-operation and consultation, ASEAN do not
aim at a definitive military pact. Members oppose a formal military commitment
but instead opts for a web of loose bilateral military co-operative ties among
different pairs of states as the best format for regional security arrangement.
Most ASEAN countries have an inter locking series of bilateral security and
military arrangements with many countries outside the region. Such arrangements
include senior-level meetings, multi service military exercise, exchange
training programmes and attendance of officers and non- commissioned officers
at formal school causes these programmes are aimed at achieving transparency
greater professionalism and regional understanding.
ASEAN
do not have the intention of a formal military fact as an immediate objective
though its individual steadily increase. With improvement in their economic
positions many ASEAN countries have continued to upgrade their military systems
through standardized training and purchases of never and better equipments.
There is no fear of a regional arms race in the region. Most ASEAN countries
have relatively small armed forces with the exception of Vietnam which has one
of the largest armed forces in the world.
The south
East Nuclear weapons free zone treaty was created in1997 banning all nuclear
weapons in the ASEAN region. The aim again was to foster peace and satiability
while eliminating unnecessary fear and distrust.
ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
Since the beginning of the 21st century,
asean has expanded its focus to include a more positive perspective on
environmental issues. The asean wildlife enforcement network was created in
2005 to take up issues concerning wild life and endangered species. The Asia-
pacific partnership on ulcam development and climate was also created in
response to global change and environmental protection.
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES
ASEAN members if not improve democracy as a system
for its members. It accepts however that reasonable democratic principles
should be encouraged as much as it is possible to do so within the internal
political make up of individual states. The Bali concord 11 of 2003 subscribed
to the notion of “democratic peace”. This means that all members countries
believe that democratic processes will promote regional believe that democratic
processes will promote regional peace and stability. The non- democratic
members of asean also agree that democracy was something all states should
aspire. Their position is that while democracy is desirable, it can neither be
enforced nor improved. Member’s countries are encouraged to condition their
democratic aspirations on their peculiar socio-cultural background and related
circumstances. This explains why asean has refused to take any measure against
the Burmese military leadership despite persistent criticism from the United
States and its allies.
In
2006, asean was granted observer status at the united nations general assembly.
As a response, the organization awarded the united nations the status of a
“dialogue partner”
CRITICISM AND FAILURES
1. The
principle of non-interference has blunted Asean efforts in handling the Burmese
problem. The continued tolerance of large scale repression and human rights
violations by the military regime in Myanmar reflects very badly on the entire
organization. Myanmar remains a test case for Asean and until positive steps
are taken in this regard, the organizations will continue to be viewed in bad
light. The issue of political modernization by Asean members remain a very
serious issues.
2. The
consensus- based approach in decision making gives each member a veto in policy
matters. This could lead to lond delay in decision making while at other times,
decisions are significantly watered down to accommodate the sentiments of every
one.
3. Asean is
often reviewed on a mere talk shop. Long onwards yet short in action.
4. inequality-
the disparity in the population, military size and economic standing of Asean members
is seem as a factor of restraints