How should the “norms” which govern the diplomatic relationships amongst Southeast Asian countries be understood?

The 30th seminar cosponsored by Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia and ASNET will be held as follows. This seminar is open to public.

Date:  2nd June(Thu), 2011

Time:  17:00-18:00

Venue:   Lobby, 1st Floor, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, the University of Tokyo

Title:   How should the “norms” which govern the diplomatic relationships amongst Southeast Asian countries be understood?

Lecturer:   Taku YUKAWA（JSPS Research Fellow PD）

Language:   Japanese

Entry:   not required

Cosponsored by:   Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia & ASNET

Summary:   ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has been evaluated in a very positive light, as being the “most successful example of regionalism, second to the EU”. Contemporary research on ASEAN has attributed its success to the fact that ASEAN’s member countries have adopted the principle of non-interference, as the norm for defining their diplomatic relationships with one another. (This norm which governs the interactions between member countries is also known as the “ASEAN Way”). As opposed to the existing literature, this presentation aims to shed light on the background behind the emergence of the “ASEAN Way”, through the analysis of rhetorical speeches made by the actual participatory actors, in ASEAN’s diplomatic relationships. By conducting discourse analysis, this presentation provides a fresh perspective to the existing literature, which differs from the conventional interpretation that “the norms which govern the relationships of ASEAN countries converged through repeated negotiations amongst its member countries, over time”.

Contact to:   Network for Research and Studies on Asia (ASNET)
Tel:03-5841-5868
e-mail: asnet[at]asnet.u-tokyo.ac.jp