Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Case Study Example

Association of Southeast Asian Nations Insert Name Course, Class, Semester Institution Instructor Date TABLE CONTENTS Introduction……………………………………………………………………….…... 3 Achievements….…………………………………………………………………….... 4 Challenges...…………………………………………………………………………... 6 Conclusion……..........……………………………………………………...…..…...... 7 Recommendations…….………………………………………………………….….... 8 References…… ...………..….…………………………………………...…….……... 9 Introduction Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formed on 8th of August 1967. In the very year, countries such as, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines And Malasia came together to form the association. Worth noting is the fact that the association later expanded to accommodate Burma, Myanmar, Vietman, Brunei, Laos and Cambodia. Apparently, the association has leadership position including summit President and General Secretary. Typically, ASEAN has a population of about 600 million people and covers an area approximated to 4.46 square kilometres. The key aim of forming the association was to ensure rapid economic growth in the members country. In addition, the association was formed to ensure there is presence of peace, stability and security in members countries. Furthermore, the association is to promote social-cultural activities in the member countries. Interesting to note is the fact that ASEAN has achieved a lot since its formation. To start with, ASEAN has enabled the member states to enjoy peace and security in the region (Severino, 2008). Moreover, the association has led to a rise in GDP in the member state. Furthermore, ASEAN initiated Free trade agreement which has allowed the members to trade freely without trade barriers. In addition, the association introduced Single Aviation market which allows air travel between member states. On the other hand the association faces several challenges. Just to mention a few, the territory dispute.. Also, the emergence of international terrorism and production of weapon of mass destruction still remains a challenge. The influence of Us remains a threat to ASEAN. The paper endeavours to highlight the achievements of ASEAN and challenges facing the mentioned association. The paper also provides the solutions to the said challenges. Achievements Apparently, ASEAN has had tremendous achievement since its formation. To start with, the association has brought peace and stability among member states. This can be evidently supported by the banning of the severe nuclear weapon in the region. The association realized that for peace and stability to prevail in the region, any activity which may pose danger must be done away with (Young, 2011). It is for this reason that the association uses its power to ban the manufacture of nuclear weapons in the region. Worth noting is the fact that for trade to exist in any region, security is a principal factor. Reportedly, the banning of the nuclear weapons has enabled the rapid economic growth and the development in the region. The association has also adopted free trade among the member state and also to allow the members to freely trade with other foremost trading partners. Generally, free trade in members states is imperative, since it enables the members to trade freely without the presence of trade barriers. A point to note is the fact that trade barriers impede the economic growth, since it make the trade between states to be expensive, bureaucratic and tiresome. The fact is, the member states cannot produce all products but would rather specialize in production of certain products; the products which cannot be produced are imported from another member state. It is for this reason that ASEAN permitted free export and import between the member states (Severino, 2006). Members of the association were also allowed to trade with other major trade states, such as New Zealand, Japan, Australia, India and China. As such, leads to economic boost in the member states. Third achievement which is closely related to the second achievement is the rapid economic growth and economic development in the region. The Association achieves this by forming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Prevalently, AEC aims included: It ensures the association has a single or unified market and production base, fostering regional equitable economic growth and development and to integrate the state fully into a global economy (Stubbs, 1995). From the above aims, the rapid economic growth has been observed in the region. AEC roles are to ensure all the members enjoy the economic development without impartiality. The association has also introduced Single Aviation Market with a goal of ensuring air travel between member states. ASEAN members are provided with free visa to promote the mentioned air travel. Typically, the Single Aviation Market has promoted the trade in the region. To start with, the members of the association are able to move from one country to another, as such, facilitate trade (Than, 2001). Secondly, the investment in the region has also been reported, members are able to move from one state to another, to oversee the areas in which are viable for investment. Thirdly, goods and services have been able to be transported faster from one state to another, as such, promote trade. Fourthly, the tourism activities have also increased in the region. That is, tourists are able to travel within the region due to permission of air travel. The association has also succeeded in promoting social-cultural activities in the region. This can be supported by sports and educational activities in the region. The mentioned activities purposely bring peace and cohesion in the region. And it is through sporting activities that the bond between the states is strengthened (Das, 2012). Cultural activities intend to bring peace and stability, it is also meant to avert cases of insecurity. The presence of peace and stability do enhance economic growth and development. This enables the members to trade in the region free from chaos and insecurity. Challenges On the other hand, the association also faces several challenges. To start with, the emergence of international terrorism and manufacture of nuclear weapons in the region has mired trade in the region. The mentioned terrorists and nuclear weapon have caused insecurity and stability in the region. Typically, insecurity has a detrimental effect in the region which is dominated with trading activities. Insecurity instils fear in the member states limiting the mentioned states from engaging in the trade. In addition, the presence of insecurity caused by terrorism has hindered economic development in the region. The above mentioned challenge is a weighty issue for the association (Rudd, 2008). A point to note is the fact that ASEAN was formed to enhance economic growth, peace and stability in the region. The emergence of the insecurity has stamped out the aims of ASEAN. The association also faces the leadership challenges. Reportedly, members of the association have reportedly clamoured for democracy and freedom of expression in the association. Typically, for any association to attain its roles, then the members must be provided with democracy and freedom of expressing their opinion. Reportedly, Malaysia and Singapore entirely complained that the association is devoid of democracy (Than, 2005). Due to the mentioned point, the member state may pull out of the association. The association was formed to counterbalance the influence of the US in Asia. The point to note is the fact that US also desire to trade in the same region. Due to this reason, US tend to hinder the operation and the achievements of the Association For instance, after the economic crisis of 1997, the association desired to form regional institutions which were to be alternative of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank but the efforts were obstructed by the United States. Interesting to note is the fact that there is the emergence of the new strategy development; the strategies have been reported to have originated from the East Asia. Apparently, development in the East Asia intends to uplift China and India (Emmers, 2003). Apparently, the emergence of the two countries will hinder the strength and expansion of the association. Lastly, the association faces a serious challenge of solving the pending territory dispute in the South China Sea. Reportedly, members of the association aver that they have the power over the sea; on the other hand, China also claims that it has control over the water. The mentioned dispute may hinder the relationship between ASEAN and China. Such limits free trade between the member states. Conclusion From the above discussion we can confidently conclude that ASEAN has made a landmark in the economic growth and development in the region. In addition, the association has brought peace, stability and security in the region. Not to mention, the association has initiated the Single Aviation Market that allowed member states to effortlessly move from one state to another. Also, the association has established free trade between itself and with other major trading partners. Furthermore, the ASEAN has promoted social-cultural activities in the region. Conversely, ASEAN faces several challenges. To start with, emergence of terrorism in the region this has hinders trade. Secondly, the leadership of ASEAN has failed to displayed democracy and freedom. Thirdly, the United State influence poses a threat to the association success. Fourthly, the association faces the challenge of the new strategic development in the East Asia which intend to menace expansion of the association. Lastly, the association faces the territory dispute in the South China Sea. Recommendations For ASEAN to succeed then it must sign more peace treaties in the region to combat the emergence of the international terrorism and production of the nuclear weapon. Similarly, the association must caution the region on the negative effects of terrorism. Furthermore, the association must ensure its charter promote democracy and allow the freedom of expression among members. In addition, the association must ensure the territory dispute is solved amicably. Also, ASEAN should engage in activities which do not contradict US, as such leads to cordial leadership between ASEAN and United States. References Das, S. B. (2012). Achieving The Asian Economic Community 2015: Challenges For Member Countries and Business. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing Emmers, R. (2003). Cooperative Security And The Balance Of Power In ASEAN And The ARF. USA And Canada: RoutledgeCurzon Rudd, K. (2008). Building On ASEAN’s Suceess Towards An Asia-Pacific Community. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing Severino, R. C. (2008). ASEAN. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing Severino, R. C. (2006). Southeast Asia In Search Of An ASEAN Community: Insight From The Former ASEAN Secretary General. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing Stubbs, R. (1995). New Challenges For ASEAN Emerging Policy Issues. Canada: UBC Press Than, M. (2005). Myanmar In ASEAN Regional Cooperation Experience. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing Than, M. (2001). ASEAN Beyond The Regional Crisis: Challenges And Initiatives. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing Young, L. (2011). ASEAN Matters: Reflecting On the Association Of Southeast Asian Nations. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Read More