Regionalism in Southeast Asia - To Foster the Political Will

1. The definition of “ regionalism “ – and of correlatives like region, regionalist, regionalise and regionness – is not, however, uncontested, even if, in this case, it is less on account of political or ideological overtones or purposes and more on account varying approaches to comment and analysis. The concept are, however, increasingly being used or developed in the course of or as a basis of public action, not merely though primarily political and both practice and theory are increasingly place in the conflicted context of globalization.
2. A sense of region implies a sense of world. A region is part of the world. For some it may be the whole world. More usually, it is seen to be, as it is, part of the world, in which there are other regions variously conceived and constituted. Regions, regionalisation, and regional organizations are indeed both a product of and a reaction to world-wide changes, predominantly economic and political in character.
3. Regionalism and regionalisation emerge in Europe in part as a response to and defense against outside pressures but in part also as a means of modifying or mediating internal disequilibrium. Within a trans-state region one state is likely to be stronger than another. A regional structure both constrains it and gives it an opportunity. Its leadership may become more acceptable to others if its dominance is less apparent.
4. The political success of ASEAN began to contribute to its economic advance. Its activities-togther with those of the major powers – helped to change the perception of Southeast Asia : it was no longer a region of turmoil but one of development. In my view, S. Dhanabalan declared in 1983, the biggest contribution of ASEAN towards economic development has been the way we have presented to the rest of the world a picture of ASEAN cooperation and neighbourliness. That had created an image of ASEAN as an area of stability. None of the ASEAN countries would have developed economically if their political wrangling could not be resolved.