TY - JOUR
T1 - Arguing about ASEAN
T2 - What do we disagree about?
AU - Acharya, Amitav
PY - 2009/9
Y1 - 2009/9
N2 - This article argues that ASEAN has been, will remain, an essentially contested institution. No one has claimed, or could claim, that ASEAN is a flawless organization, but at the same time, the characterization of ASEAN as a dysfunctional entity or a talk shop is misplaced. The reality lies in taking the middle ground as the articles in this special issue show. Research and debate on ASEAN should be based on comparing its record with other regional associations in the developing world and using some agreed criteria about what success or failure means. And disagreements about ASEAN's role should be welcomed as part of a healthy debate.
AB - This article argues that ASEAN has been, will remain, an essentially contested institution. No one has claimed, or could claim, that ASEAN is a flawless organization, but at the same time, the characterization of ASEAN as a dysfunctional entity or a talk shop is misplaced. The reality lies in taking the middle ground as the articles in this special issue show. Research and debate on ASEAN should be based on comparing its record with other regional associations in the developing world and using some agreed criteria about what success or failure means. And disagreements about ASEAN's role should be welcomed as part of a healthy debate.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85050422493&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09557570903138444
DO - 10.1080/09557570903138444
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85050422493
SN - 0955-7571
VL - 22
SP - 493
EP - 499
JO - Cambridge Review of International Affairs
JF - Cambridge Review of International Affairs
IS - 3
ER -