ASEAN and Power in International Relations: ASEAN, the EU, and the Contestation of Human Rights

This book examines the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a powerful actor in International Relations by analyzing its relationship with the EU regarding human rights. It challenges EU-centrism and demonstrates how ASEAN is the primary driving force behind its human rights and community aspirations. It also unpacks the relationship between ASEAN and the EU to show language power in play, highlighting how coercive language helps us see contestation in action. The book is of interest to academics working on Asian Studies, European Studies, International Relations Theory, and human rights.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emerges as a formidable force in international relations through the comprehensive analysis presented in this book. By delving into the evolution of the ASEAN community, with a specific focus on its relationship with the European Union (EU) concerning human rights, the author sheds light on the complex dynamics at play. This insightful work contributes to ongoing debates within constructivist theory, emphasizing the significance of a critical constructivism that recognizes the power of language and contestation.

On an empirical level, the book challenges the notion of EU-centrism, highlighting the pivotal role played by ASEAN in advancing its human rights and community aspirations. Moreover, it engages with the introspection surrounding constructivism by addressing the challenges associated with norms. Instead, it unpacks the intricate relationship between ASEAN and the EU to expose the exercise of language power. In particular, the book delves into how language, particularly coercive language, enables us to observe contestation in action, a perspective that researchers sympathetic to ASEAN's "resistance" have struggled to demonstrate through a norm-centric lens.

By tracing the evolution of the ASEAN community and human rights aspirations in a fresh light, the book reveals how the EU continues to serve as an inspiration but remains an imperfect model. More intriguingly, it demonstrates how ASEAN exerts power within the relationship, offering valuable insights to academics engaged in the study of Asian Studies, European Studies, International Relations Theory, and human rights. This comprehensive work is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of Southeast Asian regionalism and its impact on global affairs.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367465810