What is meant by asean way?
ASEAN Way
The ASEAN Way is a term used to describe the style and approach of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in handling political, economic, and social issues. It is characterized by the principles of non-interference, consensus-building, and mutual respect.
Principles of the ASEAN Way
- Non-Interference: The ASEAN Way follows the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. This means that ASEAN member countries do not interfere in the domestic affairs of other member countries, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other.
- Consensus-Building: The ASEAN Way promotes decision-making through consensus-building. In this approach, all member countries have an equal say in decision-making, and every member’s opinion is heard and respected.
- Mutual Respect: The ASEAN Way also emphasizes mutual respect among member countries. This means that member countries treat each other as equals, regardless of differences in size, culture, or political ideology.
Benefits of the ASEAN Way
The ASEAN Way has contributed to the success of ASEAN in maintaining stability and peace in the region, promoting economic growth, and fostering regional cooperation. Some of the benefits of the ASEAN Way include:
- Promoting Regional Stability: The principle of non-interference has helped to prevent conflicts between member countries, and has allowed each member to focus on their own development.
- Encouraging Economic Growth: The ASEAN Way has facilitated economic cooperation and integration among member countries, resulting in increased trade, investment, and economic growth.
- Strengthening Regional Cooperation: The ASEAN Way has helped to build trust and cooperation among member countries, leading to the formation of various regional organizations and initiatives.
In summary, the ASEAN Way is a unique approach to regional governance that emphasizes non-interference, consensus-building, and mutual respect. This approach has helped to promote stability, economic growth, and regional cooperation in Southeast Asia.
What is meant by asean way?
The "ASEAN Way" refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues that respects the cultural norms of Southeast Asia. Masilamani and Peterson summarize it as "a working process or style that is informal and personal. Policymakers constantly utilize compromise, consensus, and consultation in the informal decision-making process... it above all prioritizes a consensus-based, non-conflictual way of addressing problems. Quiet diplomacy allows ASEAN leaders to communicate without bringing the discussions into the public view. Members avoid embarrassment that may lead to further conflict." It has been said that the merits of the ASEAN Way might "be usefully applied to global conflict management". However, critics have argued that such an approach can be only applied to Asian countries, to specific cultural norms and understandings notably, due to a difference in mindset and level of tension.
Critics object, claiming that the ASEAN Way's emphasis on consultation, consensus, and non-interference forces the organisation to adopt only those policies which satisfy the lowest common denominator. Decision-making by consensus requires members to see eye-to-eye before ASEAN can move forward on an issue. Members may not have a common conception of the meaning of the ASEAN Way. Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos emphasize non-interference while older member countries focus on co-operation and co-ordination. These differences hinder efforts to find common solutions to particular issues, but also make it difficult to determine when collective action is appropriate in a given situation.