MIR708: Asean's Interaction with Major and Regional Powers

In the first decade of the 21st Century, it is becoming clear that the process of power shift is in East Asia. The rise of China, the continued primacy of the US, the revitalisation of Japan’s security role, and the arrival of India as a potential major actor along with North Korea; would bring strategic implications for major powers relations in East Asia. As these major powers exercise great influence in regional and global politics, the position and interests of other regional states – especially ASEAN countries will also be affected. Therefore, the role and position of ASEAN in the years to come cannot be separated from the complexity of East Asian strategic environment. This course examines the role and position of ASEAN, with special reference to major power relations. It discusses challenges and opportunities facing ASEAN in managing a regional order acceptable to all states, including the major powers. The course is divided into three sections. The first part examines the characteristics and trends in major power relations in the region. The second part discusses both intra- and extra-mural challenges facing ASEAN within the emerging new regional order, and examine at recent developments in ASEAN’s response to those challenges. The third part critically analyses the viability of ASEAN community-building project as a mechanism to manage the new emerging regional order in the post-cold war era.