Suchergebnisse

ASEAN aims at creating security through political co-operation and economic development. This has not prevented some members from increasing their military establishments, particularly since the Cambodian crisis began in 1979. Their much publicized efforts in economic co-operation - setting up a preferential trading area, ASEAN industrial projects and complementation schemes - have had limited succes. It has been argued that this is because of the similarity of their economies, bureaucratic obstacles and lack of political will. ASEAN has achieved more internationally, though in political matters rather than economic ones. Little use has been made of the extra muscle collective action would give in dealing with industrial countries. Failure is mainly due to giving national considerations precedence and members should examine ASEAN again to determine what is compatible with their real interests, and abandon the attempt to create a South-East Asian version of the EEC. (Internat. Political Science Assoc.)