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Understanding the functions of the ASEAN Way in Great Power Management: The Co-constitution between Social Structure and Agency in International Society of States in East Asia

Thanvichien, Varintorn (2016) ACET35
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
This thesis aimed to capture a deeper understanding of the functions and roles of the long standing norms of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) characterized as the ASEAN Way codified in an ASEAN-led multilateral institution, the East Asia Summit (EAS). Based on a comparative case study between the US and China, and using a theoretical thematic analysis, this thesis addressed what the functions of the ASEAN Way are in great power management in this new geopolitical landscape. Drawing from the English School of International Relations, this thesis proposed that the ASEAN Way is better understood through the framework of the co-constitution between social structure and agency in the international society of states in East... (More)
This thesis aimed to capture a deeper understanding of the functions and roles of the long standing norms of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) characterized as the ASEAN Way codified in an ASEAN-led multilateral institution, the East Asia Summit (EAS). Based on a comparative case study between the US and China, and using a theoretical thematic analysis, this thesis addressed what the functions of the ASEAN Way are in great power management in this new geopolitical landscape. Drawing from the English School of International Relations, this thesis proposed that the ASEAN Way is better understood through the framework of the co-constitution between social structure and agency in the international society of states in East Asia. The thesis illuminated that the functions of the ASEAN Way differ between the US and China; for the US, the ASEAN Way functions as a tool to legitimize the US primacy role and engagement in the region, as well as an instrument enabling to achieve foreign policy goal of Pivot balancing policy to engage in multilateral institutions. For China, the ASEAN Way serves as a tool to justify and legitimize Chinese choice of actions, policy preferences and to balance against US interference in domestic affairs and US influence in the multilateral institutions. However, the functions of the norm for the two great power are fundamentally the same involving power and social legitimacy. (Less)
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author
Thanvichien, Varintorn
supervisor
organization
course
ACET35
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
ASEAN, ASEAN Way, Great Power, the United States (US), China, East Asia Summit (EAS), English School (ES), multilateralism
language
English
id
8890225
date added to LUP
2016-09-01 11:44:40
date last changed
2016-09-01 11:44:40
@misc{8890225,
  abstract     = {{This thesis aimed to capture a deeper understanding of the functions and roles of the long standing norms of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) characterized as the ASEAN Way codified in an ASEAN-led multilateral institution, the East Asia Summit (EAS). Based on a comparative case study between the US and China, and using a theoretical thematic analysis, this thesis addressed what the functions of the ASEAN Way are in great power management in this new geopolitical landscape. Drawing from the English School of International Relations, this thesis proposed that the ASEAN Way is better understood through the framework of the co-constitution between social structure and agency in the international society of states in East Asia. The thesis illuminated that the functions of the ASEAN Way differ between the US and China; for the US, the ASEAN Way functions as a tool to legitimize the US primacy role and engagement in the region, as well as an instrument enabling to achieve foreign policy goal of Pivot balancing policy to engage in multilateral institutions. For China, the ASEAN Way serves as a tool to justify and legitimize Chinese choice of actions, policy preferences and to balance against US interference in domestic affairs and US influence in the multilateral institutions. However, the functions of the norm for the two great power are fundamentally the same involving power and social legitimacy.}},
  author       = {{Thanvichien, Varintorn}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Understanding the functions of the ASEAN Way in Great Power Management: The Co-constitution between Social Structure and Agency in International Society of States in East Asia}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}