Understanding ASEAN’s Role in Asia-Pacific Order (Critical Studies of the Asia-Pacific)

Review\n“To the rather tired debate about ASEAN’s effectiveness, Yates’ analysis of the Association as the 'conductor' of a 'regional orchestra' contributes new understanding about ASEAN’s social functions in the broader regional order. It sheds important light on ASEAN’s long-standing role in negotiating normative and institutional frameworks for rule-governed interaction in East Asia, but crucially, a role constituted within a division of labour with the great powers. This is a fine example of the value of research that brings conceptual tools to bear upon rich empirical material in a fruitful manner.” (Evelyn Goh, Professor, The Australian National University, Australia)
“Yates has written an important and timely book that sheds light on ASEAN’s role in managing order in the Asia Pacific. The book provides a compelling analysis of how ASEAN and the great powers have negotiated their respective order-managing roles; it is a must read for IR theorists as well Asian specialists seeking to locate ASEAN’s agency in constructing regional order.” (Yuen Foong Khong, Li Ka Shing Professor of Political Science, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS, Singapore)\nThis book assesses the important role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the management of regional political, security and economic relations. The author argues that ASEAN’s prominent role in the region, spanning 50 years, is largely due to the acquiescence of the great powers who endorsed ASEAN, accepted its regional position and accorded the institution a legitimacy and durability that, otherwise, it would not have. This text offers a key intervention into the debate regarding ASEAN and regional order by showing how ASEAN’s contribution to order management is part of a negotiated division of labour with the great powers. The author applies an innovative social roles analysis, which captures the dynamic interactions between ASEAN and the great powers from the Cold War to the present day.\nFrom the Back Cover\nThis book assesses the important role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the management of regional political, security and economic relations. The author argues that ASEAN’s prominent role in the region, spanning 50 years, is largely due to the acquiescence of the great powers who endorsed ASEAN, accepted its regional position and accorded the institution a legitimacy and durability that, otherwise, it would not have. This text offers a key intervention into the debate regarding ASEAN and regional order by showing how ASEAN’s contribution to order management is part of a negotiated division of labour with the great powers. The author applies an innovative social roles analysis, which captures the dynamic interactions between ASEAN and the great powers from the Cold War to the present day.\nRobert Yates is Senior Teaching Associate in Politics at the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS), University of Bristol, UK.