Perspectives On Asean Security: From Post-Wwii Era 1945 To Aec Establishment In 2015

Abstract

This study hopes to make a modest contribution towards the analysis of Southeast Asian regional security since 1945. By using documentary research, the study examined the evolving regional security dynamics and the consequent actions and behavior of various member states and the external powers. Firstly, the two scholarly approaches were chosen for their insights into how states interact and seek to promote their material interests; the balance of power approach, derived from realist/neorealist theories, set the tone with its compelling argument that in an anarchic world order, states remain wary of each other and cooperate only because they have to; the institutional approach, derived from neoliberal theories, provided its equally compelling counterpoint argument that cooperation requires rules, and in creating institutions to facilitate these rules, states find that they could cooperate iteratively. Together, these two approaches provide insights into the tensions between conflict and cooperation under anarchy, whether at the systemic or sub-systemic (regional) level. Nevertheless, there are inherent limitations in both approaches in their logical explanation of regional security analysis, especially since the end of the Cold War, hence the comprehensive security was therefore introduced. Comprehensive security concept was usually applied to identify the often-complicated local dynamics and networking relations in regional systems (and sub-systems) and provides explanatory accounts in situations where the security policies among ASEAN members were diverged. Perspectives from these three approaches will not only lead to a better understanding of Southeast Asia's regional security during the emergence of ASEAN institution, but it also could potentially help ASEAN countries overcome the obstacles in building the strong sense of security as a community, today and in the future.