This book explores the normative foundations of ASEAN and the EU. It revives the history of the two organizations in an in-depth narrative of the protracted arguments surrounding their establishment, legal integration and enlargement. While political actors used norms to legitimize their ideas for institutional change, the complex and dynamic nature of these norms also provided the breeding ground for contestation and, sometimes, institutional sclerosis and failure. Recasting these processes in an innovative English School framework, the volume makes a crucial contribution to the literature of Comparative Regionalism that goes beyond Eurocentric perspectives.
Kilian Spandler is researcher at the School of Global Studies of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Kilian Spandler
ASEAN Southeast Asia European Union EU Comparative Regionalism English School framework regionalism legal studies institutional studies global politics political history deconolization normative arguing regional organizations EEC's Association
“The EU and ASEAN represent two of the most important models of regional integration today, and this book’s novel approach exposes the underlying processes of normative contestation that shape their structure and role. An original and outstanding contribution to the literature on Comparative Regionalism, norm dynamics and International Relations theory.” (Amitav Acharya, Distinguished Professor of International Relations, American University, USA)
“A fascinating and refreshing account of the divergent development of two of the main regional organizations in today's world. Spandler pushes the theory of international society to new horizons and builds a bridge between Comparative Regionalism and International Relations.” (Thomas Diez, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of Tübingen, Germany)
“With a focus on historical pathways, normative structures and deliberated decisions in post-colonial settings, this study links regional organizations withthe global order using Barry Buzan’s distinction between primary and secondary institutions. The result is a thick account of a differentiated regional and global order which brings together Comparative Regionalism and International Politics. It is a path-breaking study.” (Cornelia Navari, Visiting Professor of International Affairs, University of Buckingham, UK)