Integration or Cooperation? ASEAN and the Regional-building in East Asia

Abstract

This paper focuses on the unique physiognomy of the regional integration in Southeast Asia, with its own set of dynamics different from the European experience. By taking a sociological approach in the International Relations, this paper tries to assess the region-building of ASEAN with the comprehensive framework in studying institutions proposed by Richard Scott. Subsequently, the paper concludes that ASEAN remains an institution with close cooperation at national level, though the will of further integration among regional political leaders is well evident. Succeeding to this argument, this paper also connotes that ASEAN and the regional integration apparatus in Southeast Asia in general have been very much developed by the great powers outside of the region. For the regulative pillar to perform more effectively, the leaders of the Southeast Asian region need to work more on the cultural-cognitive dimension of the regional institution, and also on creating a new regional norm promoting community values over the “ASEAN Way”.