Abstract
This paper discusses that the formation of ASEAN as prompted by the neoliberal paradigm and directed by the U.S. and Japan rather than by the ASEAN member nations. The author points out that, although it was established to increase regionalization in Southeast Asia, ASEAN was actually used by the U.S. to stop the spread of Communism and by Japan to provide raw materials for its manufacturing. The paper relates that the ASEAN nations were caught in the global power structure; therefore, ASEAN has benefited the superpowers more than the countries that make it up.

From the Paper
"A study of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN provides an excellent window into the interrelationships between the United States, Japan and the ASEAN's member countries."

Tags:international, Asean, flying geese, FDI, Plaza Accord, capitalism, communism, regionalism, industrialization, globalization, containment, Japan, U.S., hegemony, human rights, neoliberalism

Abstract
The writer looks briefly at the history of the ASEAN and discusses the Association's objectives. In this article, ASEAN conflict resolution methods are compared to those of traditional diplomatic methods. The writer considers why ASEAN diplomacy is better for the dispute between China and Philippines over the Spratly Islands.

From the Paper
"The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in Bangkok by the five original Member Countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. It has since been joined by Brunei, Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. The objectives of ASEAN are to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region, through joint endeavors and to do so in the spirit of partnership, to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations. It promotes regional peace and stability through ... "

Tags:ASEAN

Abstract
This paper deals withs the issue of economic cooperation and integration within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam in its regional economic cooperation and integration are also discussed.

Outline
Introduction
ASEAN and the Issue of Economic Integration
ASEAN Mechanisms
ASEAN Developments
ASEAN Free Trade Agreement - A Vehicle for Economic Cooperation and Integration
VIETNAM and AFTA
Vietnam's Present Economic Situation
Vietnam and ASEAN Economic Relations
Opportunities and Challenges Facing Vietnam
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Industrialization and modernization of Vietnam's economy is a paramount goal pursued by the government. Industry is a crucial sector that has nearly doubled its output from 1991-1997, while recent growth rates have been in the 10-15% a year range. Billions of dollars have been invested in industrial foreign direct investment, and manufactured exports have grown rapidly, albeit from low bases. In an unusual development that is consistent with the goal of the government, most of the growth in industry came from the state sector. Growth in industrial output has exceeded 10% per year since 1991. Industry and construction together constituted 30% in 1995, compared with 23% in 1990. Similarly, the service sector has grown to 43%, compared with 39% in 1990. All of this indicates that Vietnam's economic structure has been shifting rapidly from agriculture towards industry and services."

Tags:economic, cooperation, globalization

Abstract
This paper argues that ASEAN's (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) constructive engagement has failed to meet its goals of the development of Myanmar's human rights conditions, the minimization of Chinese influence in Myanmar and the enhancement of regional cooperation among Southeast Asian nations. It also investigates the impact of constructive engagement on ASEAN's standing in international politics.

From the Paper
"Beyond the superficial endorsement of human rights, rationale behind constructive engagement was more complex and pragmatic. As argued by Carey, a policy that from the outset was meant to benefit ASEAN's members first and foremost. The main motives for constructive engagement can be divided into political factors and economic factors. The major political factor in the implementation of constructive engagement was ASEAN's desire to counteract the influence of the People's Republic of China in Myanmar and to deter Myanmar from becoming China's ally. Initially, ASEAN was established as a barrier against communism in Southeast Asia. After Vietnam attained ASEAN's membership in 1995, ASEAN's policy gradually shifted to preventing Chinese hegemony in Southeast Asia."

Tags:asia, burma, communism, human, rights, suu, thailand

Abstract
This essay attempts to show how much ASEAN's norms have undermined its ability to face the challenges posed by Myanmar membership in the Association and hence also reduce its ability to realize the stated objectives and expectations of the membership. This is even more interesting since there is a possibility that ASEAN, with its rhetoric of embracing Myanmar in order to "democratize" it, has actually perpetuated the repressive military junta. After all, the promotion of human rights and democracy has not been one of the Association's priority. To achieve this, political, economic and security expectations and real outcome are analyzed and compared.

Introduction
ASEAN?s Expectation in Engaging Myanmar
Reality after Membership
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Since 1998, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has finally become truly regional by including all ten states of the region in its membership. In 1992 it accepted Viet Nam s application, and in 1997 Laos and Myanmar joined in. Cambodia had to wait another year for membership but was finally admitted. This has been one of the vision set by its founders since its establishment in 1967 although at that time the Association was more a subregional alliance to contain the internal and external threat of communism for like-minded, anti-imperialist, anti-communist regimes, and to some extent to balance Viet Nam s power in the region."

Tags:asia, burma, china, politics, southeast, myanmar

Abstract
The idea for a regional block in Asia, to a large extent, was conceptualized by the United States. U.S. President Lyndon Johnson presented the ASEAN concept as an alliance of all the free nations of the Pacific and Asia and invited the Asian countries to come together in a co-operative effort to bring about economic development of the region, promising them the U.S.'s financial assistance and support. For all intents and purposes, this is what everyone believed ASEAN would accomplish at the time, including the ASEAN member nations themselves. However, the cooperative development of the nations was only the covering for the U.S.'s real agenda: to halt the progress of Communism and use the ASEAN nations and Japan as the roadblocks:
While the goal of the ASEAN member countries has been acquiring an "Asian identity" and achieving regional economic cooperation, the objective of the United States has been largely strategic in nature.
Such reality poses a number of implications for ASEAN. On one hand, it leaves ASEAN as a pawn for the United States and its allies, making the possibility of upholding real ASEAN interests difficult in the face of a hegemon's (the United States) interests. In addition, it also renders the concept of ASEAN regionalism in question because of the massive outside influence that it is vulnerable to under U.S. "guidance."
This leaves the question of whether ASEAN is truly a Southeast Asian regional block or not. Thus, as this essay argues, ASEAN although originally intended to be an organization that upholds Asian regionalism and reduce dependence on foreign powers and markets, was intentionally used by the United States and its allies to uphold their own political and economic interests - the industrialization of Japan within a neoliberal paradigm and the expansion of U.S. ideals to counter the communist treat, among others - in Asia and the rest of the world.
In order to prove this point, the paper first provides the theoretical foundations of its thesis using the theories of Structural Power and Hegemony. The next section then provides an analysis of the roles that the U.S. and its main ally, Japan, played in the development of ASEAN and the effect of their influence in ASEAN. China's role and effect in ASEAN are also discussed. The paper then provides a historical account of the development of ASEAN to show the facts that support the case. The next section then sketches the future of ASEAN. The essay ends with concluding remarks. It includes figures and graphs.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
Theoretical Foundations of U.S. Influence in ASEAN
The Role of the US
The Role of Japan
The Role of China
Three Contesting Powers
ASEAN Evolution in the Face of a Global Power Structure
Cooperation in the State of Turmoil (1967-1984)
The Birth of ASEAN in 1967
Vietnam Policy and ASEAN
ASEAN and the Promotion of Asian Capitalism
The Cambodia Crisis
Cooperation in the Age of Growth (1985-1996)
The Plaza Accord
Flying Geese Model
Economic Cooperation
Cooperation in the Age of Crisis and Recovery (1997-2005)
The Asian Financial Crisis
The IMF in ASEAN
ASEAN+3
China: A Potential Regional Rival
Japan's Assistance Measures
Post 9-11 Security: ASEAN as a Pawn of U.S. Policy
The Future of ASEAN
The Evolution of Cooperation between ASEAN and Japan
ASEAN and the G3 Bloc
Human Rights Issues Facing ASEAN
Toward a Regional Community
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper
"ASEAN was founded in 1967 to deepen economic interaction and cooperation within the region. When it was first formed, the ASEAN member nations intended it to draw them together into a unified regionalist entity that would reduce dependence on foreign powers, particularly economically. The member nations were third world countries that had up to that time relied heavily on foreign markets, and one of the goals of regionalism was to combine the resources of the countries and convert them from five individual weak entities into one strong entity capable of standing on its own."

Tags:asia, cooperation, hegemony, AFTA, WTO

Abstract
The paper examines the relationship between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where the EU represents the "center" (dominant) states and ASEAN - the "periphery" (dependent) states. The paper attempts to determine whether the policies the richer nations develop really contribute to overcoming the inequality. The paper provides a brief introduction to the dependency theory and examines the argument that the free trade agreement both parties are pursuing is more beneficial to the EU than to the ASEAN. The paper comes to the conclusion that while the EU's policies are obviously aimed at protection of its own interests, the ASEAN has a lot to learn from the EU experience and should continue its cooperation with the EU. The paper includes graphs as appendices.

Outline:
Introduction
The Dependency Theory
Applying the Dependency Theory to the EU-ASEAN relations
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Modern processes of world development bring the relationships between the countries to a new dimension. After the collapse of the colonial system arose a problem of relations between industrially developed and developing countries. Initially, their cooperation was interpreted as economic support to young independent states, but soon the striking division between "rich" and "poor" countries became a real vector of confrontation in the 21st century. With the spread of education and demographic growth, the international equity issue expects "richer nations develop more comprehensive, more cooperative and more planned policies towards poorer parts of the world." The question is whether the policies the "richer nations" develop really contribute to overcoming the inequality issue."

Tags:economics, inequality, free, trade, capitalism

Abstract
A brief comment on the superiority of regional as compared to global trade agreements.

From the Paper
"ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, consists of Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. It was created August ... It is by agreement a free trade area. The ASEAN Free Trade Area was created January of ... in order to eliminate tariff barriers among the Southeast Asian countries. The longer term goal was to integrating the ASEAN economies into a single production base and a regional market of ... million people. By agreement..."

Tags:Trade Regional, global, tariff, market, World Trade Organization

Abstract
Discusses major maritime issues and potential armed conflicts among ASEAN nations. Arms race and growth of Chinese naval power. Chinese economy. The Spateley Islands issue of the South China Sea; their strategic importance to maritime trade. Conflict over the status of Taiwan. Korean Peninsula conflict. Outlook for peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region.

From the Paper
"Current Maritime Issues/Conflict in Asia Pacific Region


This research paper outlines and discusses the major maritime issues and potential armed conflicts in the Asia Pacific region, their implications and the outlook for regional peace and security, with particular relevance to ASEAN nations. The ASEAN nations now include Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.


1. Arms Race and Growth in Chinese Naval Power
The Asia Pacific region is one of the most heavily armed regions of the world. The United States is the world's leading military superpower. China (the PRC) has had nuclear weapons since the 1960s and the largest army in the world. Japan could easily become a nuclear power and its Self-Defense forces, particularly its air force and navy, are formidable. The military..."

Abstract
Examines definition, purposes, goals, ASEAN model, economic theory, problems and recommendations.

From the Paper
"ASIAN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

There are many conceptual definitions of "economic integration" and the one chosen for this paper is that economic integration occurs when nationalistic concerns of an economy are set aside to integrate the economy more fully into the world economy.

Such a definition implies and confirms that the world has become so global that individual nations can no longer be allowed to maintain independent economic activities without consideration of the impact of those activities on other nations. This attitude was well expressed by Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra at a recent meeting of the annual East Asia Economic Summit: "East Asia and Southeast Asia must reject the temptation to seek individual salvation, because none of us can ..."