Transnational production and security: Southeast Asia’s “growth triangles”

This article explores the impact of transnational production on security, with specific reference to the “growth triangles” of Southeast Asia. After highlighting the changing global and regional strategic environment and the role of the state in promoting growth triangles, the article argues that they should be examined for their security-enhancing as well as security diminishing implications. With respect to the former, of particular significance is the impact of the growth triangles in moderating inter-state conflict, in contributing to the internal stability of the participating states, and in increasing the stakes of the world’s major powers in the security and well-being of the region. Among the security-diminishing consequences of the growth triangles is their potential to exacer­bate inter-ethnic and political tensions within participating states as well as foster inter-state suspicions over the uneven distribution of their economic benefits.