Regionalism in International Politics: a Comparative Analysis of ASEAN and the European Union

Authors

  • Maisha Karim UCSI University, Bangladesh Branch Campus

Keywords:

Regionalism, ASEAN, European Union

Abstract

Regionalism has emerged as a significant phenomenon in international politics, shaping the geopolitical, economic, and social landscapes of diverse regions. This study conducts a comparative analysis of two prominent regional organizations: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU). Drawing on theoretical frameworks and historical contexts, the paper examines their institutional structures, governance models, economic integration, and political-security cooperation. The findings reveal critical distinctions between the EU’s supranational and legalistic approach and ASEAN’s informal, consensus-based mechanisms, shaped by their unique historical, cultural, and geopolitical contexts. Despite their differences, both organizations face common challenges, including economic disparities, political instability, and external pressures. By comparing their trajectories and challenges, this paper highlights key lessons for enhancing regional cooperation and integration, offering valuable insights for policymakers and scholars alike.

References

Acharya, A. (2001) Constructing a Security Community in Southeast Asia: ASEAN and the Problem of Regional Order. London: Routledge.

ASEAN Secretariat (2008) ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint. Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat.

Baldwin, R. and Wyplosz, C. (2015) The Economics of European Integration. 5th edn. London: McGraw Hill.

Börzel, T.A. and Risse, T. (2016) The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Regionalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Buzan, B. and Wæver, O. (2003) Regions and Powers: The Structure of International Security. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Das, S.B. (2012) ASEAN Economic Community: Initiatives and Progress. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing.

Haas, E.B. (1964) The Uniting of Europe: Political, Social, and Economic Forces, 1950–1957. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Hix, S. and Høyland, B. (2011) The Political System of the European Union. 3rd edn. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Howorth, J. (2014) Security and Defence Policy in the European Union. 2nd edn. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Jones, L. (2012) ASEAN, Sovereignty and Intervention in Southeast Asia. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Keohane, R.O. (1984) After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Keukeleire, S. and Delreux, T. (2014) The Foreign Policy of the European Union. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Pelkmans, J. (2006) European Integration: Methods and Economic Analysis. 3rd edn. London: Pearson Education.

Schimmelfennig, F. (2003) The EU, NATO and the Integration of Europe: Rules and Rhetoric. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Schimmelfennig, F. (2015) ‘European Integration in the Euro Crisis: The Limits of Postfunctionalism’, Journal of European Integration, 37(3), pp. 321–334.

Severino, R. (2006) Southeast Asia in Search of an ASEAN Community: Insights from the Former ASEAN Secretary-General. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing.

Waltz, K.N. (1979) Theory of International Politics. New York: Addison-Wesley.

Wendt, A. (1992) ‘Anarchy is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power Politics’, International Organization, 46(2), pp. 391–425.

Hurrell, A. (1995) ‘Regionalism in Theoretical Perspective’, in Fawcett, L. and Hurrell, A. (eds.) Regionalism in World Politics: Regional Organization and International Order. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 37–73.

Yeo, L.H. (2006) ‘The Limits of ASEAN: Constructing Southeast Asian Regionalism’, Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 19(1), pp. 79–94.

Downloads

Published

2025-03-04

How to Cite

Karim, M. (2025). Regionalism in International Politics: a Comparative Analysis of ASEAN and the European Union. American Journal of Political Science and Leadership Studies, 2(3), 10–20. Retrieved from https://semantjournals.org/index.php/AJPSLS/article/view/1209

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.