Tag Archives: ASEAN

An Analysis of Current Indo-Pacific Dynamics

15 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by in Hubungan Internasional, International Relations

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The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a critical area of discussion in the field of international politics in recent years. The region, which encompasses the Indian Ocean and the Western and Central Pacific, is home to some of the world’s largest economies, most strategic waterways, and critical energy and resource supplies. As a result, the region is a focal point for geopolitical competition, security challenges, and economic integration. This article provides an overview of the key themes, trends, and debates in the discussion of Indo-Pacific international politics, including the region’s strategic dynamics, economic integration, security challenges, and emerging trends.

Strategic Dynamics:

The strategic dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region are shaped by a range of factors, including the interests and actions of the major powers in the region, regional governance mechanisms, and emerging security challenges. Views on these dynamics have focused on the rise of China, the role of the United States in the region, and the challenges to regional governance.

The rise of China is a central theme in discussions of Indo-Pacific strategic dynamics, with scholars examining the economic, military, and diplomatic implications of China’s increasing influence in the region. Some scholars argue that China’s rise is leading to a shift in the regional balance of power, while others emphasize the importance of engagement and cooperation to manage this rise.

The role of the United States in the region is another key theme in the debate on Indo-Pacific strategic dynamics. Scholars have debated the nature of US engagement in the region, the implications of the US-China strategic competition for regional stability, and the potential for a new US-led security architecture in the Indo-Pacific.

Regional governance mechanisms are also a focus of research on Indo-Pacific strategic dynamics. Scholars have examined the role of existing regional institutions, such as ASEAN and the East Asia Summit, in managing regional security challenges and promoting economic integration. Other scholars have explored the potential for new governance mechanisms, such as an Indo-Pacific security framework or a regional trade agreement, to address emerging challenges.

Economic Integration

Economic integration is a critical theme in research on Indo-Pacific international politics, given the region’s significant economic potential and the importance of trade and investment to regional stability and development. Discussion on this theme has focused on the role of regional economic institutions, the challenges and opportunities of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and the prospects for regional trade agreements.

The role of regional economic institutions, such as ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), is a key focus of examination on Indo-Pacific economic integration. Scholars have examined the effectiveness of these institutions in promoting economic cooperation and regional integration, as well as their potential to address emerging challenges, such as the rise of protectionism and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Belt and Road Initiative is another critical theme in the discussion of Indo-Pacific economic integration. Scholars have explored the economic, geopolitical, and social implications of China’s ambitious infrastructure and investment program for the region and the challenges and opportunities presented by the initiative for regional cooperation and integration.

Security Challenges

In addition, security challenges are a critical theme in the debate on Indo-Pacific international politics, given the region’s diverse security threats, ranging from maritime security to cyber threats to terrorism. Discussion on this theme has focused on the implications of the US-China strategic competition, the role of regional institutions in managing security challenges, and the potential for emerging technologies to transform regional security dynamics.

In short, the US-China strategic competition is a central theme in research on Indo-Pacific security challenges, with scholars examining the impact of this competition on regional stability, the potential for a new arms race, and the prospects for regional cooperation and conflict resolution.

ASEAN Members Diversity Need Dynamic Policies

14 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in asia tenggara, Asian Affairs, Commentary, Hubungan Internasional, Journal Articles

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ASEAN Members Diversity Need Dynamic Policies

By Asep Setiawan[1]

INTRODUCTION

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been in the region for more than 48 years. During that time ASEAN has achieved some of its goals and mission. ASEAN transforms from several members become ten members which cover all Southeast Asia region. Initial focus of ASEAN is on political stability and security. But later, ASEAN want to be the big family which helping each other in term of economic and social development.

At this stage of ASEAN enter community based policy, occur some problems which are not handled before. From several survey including by The ASEAN Secretariat, some skepticism raised, doubt even pessimism among ASEAN people. These perceptions might come from lack of knowledge about ASEAN.

The paper will address problem on lack of ASEAN awareness from two approaches. Firstly, there are diversities among ASEAN members in term of political system and stages of their development. Secondly, different situation of members ASEAN demand dynamic policies to get better result.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Commitment of ASEAN members to create environment that support their development in harmony has been in mind of founders. It was implication of situation that time such as Cold War in the World Politics and its confrontation among Southeast Asian countries. Members ASEAN seems do not want to involve on Superpower conflict and competition.

Not all Southeast Asian countries accept ASEAN mission when it was established. Sense of suspicious remains at that time so some of countries reluctant to join ASEAN.  ASEAN transform from five become ten members.

If we look closer on political system of members state and economic development there are gaps and differences. Based on democratic political system it is clear that ASEAN members have differences in their nature. That’s makes ASEAN unique.  Andreas Ufen (2007) presents table of democracy level in Southeast Asia.[2]

From table above it seems that member of ASEAN has certain variety in political life. That political system will influence level of awareness of ASEAN. Even if we look at economic development, make us clear that there are different levels of prosperity.[3]

DYNAMIC POLICIES

In order to achieve goals in socialization of ASEAN to grass root or at least to wider public in Southeast Asia there is need different policy for each members. For countries which classified as higher level of democracy, level of involvement public could be larger. Government here can be passive party but NGO and people get involve directly.

For some countries with different political system where government is dominant, different policies are applied. For example, government has responsibility to push socialization through government bodies.

And for some members where government is the only source of authority, campaign could be effective by certain ministry or high level officials.

SUMMARY

ASEAN approaches half century of it’s exist but policy to spread ASEAN ideas toward grass root becoming stronger when ASEAN enter community policy this year.

If we look at character of members ASEAN it is clear that the policies to increase awareness on unity of ASEAN should be done differently.

With different character and situation of every members of ASEAN, scale of priority is either different. Here, ASEAN need flexible and dynamic policies in order to make people of ASEAN aware the importance such regional organization that will help them.***

 

 

 

 

 

References

ADB and ILO, ASEAN community 2015: Managing integration for better jobs and shared prosperity Bangkok, Thailand: ILO and ADB, 2014.

Joshua Kurlantzick,ASEAN’s Future and Asian Integration. Council on Foreign Relations,  2012

Lunn, Jon and Gavin Thompson, Southeast Asia: A political and economic introduction. London, House of Commons, 2011

The ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint. Jakarta, ASEAN Secretariat, 2008.

Thompson, Eric C. and Chulanee Thiantha, Attitudes and Awareness toward ASEAN: Findings of a Ten Nation Survey. ASEAN Foundation, 2007.

Ufen, Andreas, Political Party and Party System Institutionalisation in Southeast Asia: A Comparison of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, GIGA Research Programme, 2007.

[1] Asep Setiawan is lecturer Department of Politics, University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta

[2] Andreas Ufen, Political Party and Party System Institutionalisation in Southeast Asia: A Comparison of Indonesia, the Philippines,  and Thailand, GIGA Research Programme, 2007

[3] ADB, ASEAN community 2015: Managing integration for better jobs and shared prosperity Bangkok, Thailand: ILO and ADB, 2014.