Journal of Social Sciences
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formed in 1967 with the Bangkok Conference as a bulwark against the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. In its 57 years of existence, ASEAN has proven to be a durable organization capable of organizational change. Furthermore, as the oldest and only standing regional organization with full membership of its region, or sub-region, ASEAN has a large degree of credibility in international affairs. With the end of the Unipolar moment where the ‘West’ led by the United States exercised hegemony and the beginning of a multipolar world, ASEAN and its member states are entering into a new and dangerous period of great power competition. This holds both opportunities and perils similar in scope to the Cold War. This article will demonstrate, using a historical and strategic institutional hedging approach to argue that ASEAN will continue to play a pivotal and central role in East Asian international relations. It will be argued that as small states with a historically constructed networked institutional architecture which incorporates all great powers can exercise strategic institutional hedging, between security and economic interests against being forced to choose sides in the era of increased security competition between the world’s great powers.
DOI
10.61462/cujss.v55i2.5114
First Page
431
Last Page
470
Recommended Citation
J. Jones, William and Supakul, Chanya
(2025)
"ASEAN Centrality in the Era of Great Power Competition: Hedging for Survival and Prosperity,"
Journal of Social Sciences: Vol. 55:
Iss.
2, Article 8.
DOI: 10.61462/cujss.v55i2.5114
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/cujss/vol55/iss2/8