Explaining the absence of war in Southeast Asia : the role of Asean.

Abstract

This paper critically examines why there have been no incidents of war between ASEAN member states since the establishment of ASEAN in 1967. Three case studies of dyadic or interstate conflicts are critically assessed in order to determine whether such disputes have been the justification of act to war and/or the reasons for member states to fight for war. This paper describes the role of ASEAN in dispute settlement mechanism and conflict management. An increased amicable regional cooperation has proved ASEAN's success in maintaining long-standing peace and stability in the region. The TAC has provided a set of rules which legalise ASEAN members to promote amicable cooperation. The ASEAN Way to some extent has significantly diffused the conflict escalation into pacific settlement of the disputes. The role of ASEAN in terms of military deterrence and regionalism is also analytically assessed whether both could be the raison d'tre of the absence of war in Southeast Asia for forty years. Military deterrence and regionalism have significantly explicated the non-existence of war amongst ASEAN member states for the past four decades. The absence of war for the past four decades has contributed the longstanding peace and stability in the region. This fact has significantly proved ASEAN's success in maintaining peace and stability in the region. Yet, ASEAN should be more responsive towards the latent interstate conflicts that could in turn disrupt their harmonious relations.