THE DYNAMICS OF NON-INVOLVEMENT IN ASEAN: PRIMORDIALISM AND A CASE OF MISTAKING RHETORIC

Main Article Content

Vejai Balasubramaniam

Abstract

For much of the eighties and nineties Southeast Asia had been economically the most dynamic part of the world. The advances in economics, it is argued, had begun to ramify into politics in the new States of the region. Among other things, the initial contention arising over Myanmar's application for membership in ASEAN is seen as indicative of a trend away from the cherished principle of non-involvement by governments in the region. The same view is also held with respect to the remarks and the ensuing war of words engaged by the leaders of States in the Malay world. Ideologically, this trend is viewed favorably and perceived as helping to expedite democracy in the region. This article argued that to construe the war of words and criticisms as involvement in the internal affairs of another member State is misplaced and a historical. What appears as interference is no more than rhetoric and a reflection of the primordialism which pervades inter-State relations in the region. It further contends that to the contrary, this rhetoric works to enhance regional cooperation and that non-involvement is alive and well in Southeast Asia.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Section
Articles