Understanding ASEAN's centrality: bases and prospects in an evolving regional architecture

Abstract

There have been a number of articles about ASEAN's centrality in the regional security architecture of Asia. Yet, the notion of centrality remains undefined and under-operationalised. Implicit in the discourses of centrality is the idea of ASEAN's leadership, which in turn raises questions about ASEAN's ability to do so, given its limited capacity. This article defines ASEAN's centrality from the perspective of social network approach and argues that ASEAN's structural position in the density of networks that it has established and those that it has linkages with explains ASEAN's centrality. Despite its lack of material power, ASEAN has been able to claim centrality because of its position as a node in a cluster of networks, and this condition of 'high betweenness' allows ASEAN to exercise influence in regional processes with the tacit acceptance of major powers. However, while centrality may have been achieved, maintaining centrality in a rapidly changing regional environment compels ASEAN to address challenges to its centrality. This would necessarily include its ability to maintain consensus, carry out collective action and achieve its stated goals.

Engaging the neighbours: Australia and ASEAN since 1974

“…13 I regarded the proposal with some caution. There were a great number of differences between many of these parties and some had large political interests at stake.…”

Engaging the neighbours. Australia and ASEAN since 1974

“…The proposal attracted some interest from the Philippines, but Indonesia indicated that such a treaty would be contrary to the spirit of Afro-Asian cooperation. 13 The SEAFET proposal, however, was an early example of interest in Southeast Asian-focused dialogue, a mode of cooperation that would emerge again in the next decade with the formation of ASEAN.…”

“…The Fraser Government commissioned a report on ' Australia and the Third World' and expressed some interest in efforts by developing states to seek more equitable international economic relationships, although it was not always easy for the government to reconcile this overall attitude with specific policies, for example, in trade relations with ASEAN. 13 Fraser's overall foreign policy emphasis was reflected in his government's approach towards Southeast Asia. In the period immediately after the defeat of the non-communist regimes in Indochina, the United States moved to reduce its military presence in Southeast Asia: it withdrew from its bases in Thailand although it retained a security relationship with that country and maintained its bases in the Philippines.…”

“…The government pursued its approach in association with ASEAN, which Downer saw as 'the first and most important point of influence' in relation to Hun Sen. 12 In response to these events, the ASEAN foreign ministers decided on 10 July to delay Cambodia's entry. 13 The developments in Cambodia were a setback for ASEAN's desired image of a group able to sponsor peaceful cooperation, but the enlargement process continued: Cambodia ultimately was admitted to ASEAN in 1999.…”

“…Ministers ' Meeting Rudd, 30, 147, 150-2, 154, 192, 193 Sydney meeting (2009) 194-203 goals, 20, 130, 132, 164, 174, 195-6 Human Rights Declaration (2012), 148 identity, 147, 150 ideological aspects of, 28 internal affairs, non-interference doctrine, 37, 38, 112, 124 internal tensions within, 169-70, 196 leaders' meetings, 179, 199, 200-1 Jakarta (2005) 102-3, 118, 126-8, 157, 176-7, 192-3 into the future, 202-3 support for independence, 11-12 Australia-Malaysia relations, 15-16, 18, 71, 85-6, 104, 121-2, 124 9-10 India, 8, 29, 97, 132, 161-2, 191 and East Asia Summit, 139, 150, 160 participation in ARF, 99 Indian Ocean, 162, 191 Indian Ocean tsunami (2004), 128,6,162 Indochina,21 Australian policies, 68-72 refugee crisis, 55,58,70,188 Indonesia,9,13,16,111,139,152 127 Myanmar,100,110,190, see also Jawaharlal,8,9 Netherlands,The,9,11,32,171, see also Holland neutralism, 23 New Colombo Plan,3,176,178,182,[8]…”