Phar, Kim Beng and Hamzah, Luthfy (2025) The circumscribed power of ASEAN and its effective deployment of self-restraint. Circumscribed Power; ASEAN; Chairmanship 2025; Self-restraint, NA (NA). p. 1.
|
PDF
- Published Version
Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
This article advances the argument that ASEAN’s effectiveness lies not in expansive or coercive power, but in its deliberately “circumscribed” use of influence through strategic self-restraint. It contends that ASEAN’s long-standing diplomatic culture—anchored in consensus, non-interference, and quiet engagement—enables the organisation to preserve unity and credibility amid intensifying geopolitical competition. Rather than overextending itself, ASEAN is portrayed as exercising a calibrated form of leadership that privileges facilitation over domination, allowing member states to retain agency while the organisation coordinates broader regional initiatives. The piece situates Malaysia’s chairmanship under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as a case study of this paradox: a period marked by heightened diplomatic activity and outreach—ranging from engagement with major powers to cross-regional economic initiatives—yet guided by restraint in formal authority and intervention. This balance between visibility and limitation underscores ASEAN’s adaptive strategy in navigating rivalries among global powers such as the United States, China, and emerging blocs. Ultimately, the article concludes that ASEAN’s self-imposed limits are not signs of weakness but constitute a functional mode of governance, enabling resilience, cohesion, and continued relevance in an increasingly fragmented international order.
| Item Type: | Article (Electronic Media) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Circumscribed Power; ASEAN; Chairmanship 2025; Self-restraint |
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JZ International relations |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Political Science Office of the Rector |
| Depositing User: | Mr Muhammad Syameer Luthfy Bin Hamzah |
| Date Deposited: | 07 May 2026 16:28 |
| Last Modified: | 07 May 2026 16:28 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-05-Q3239 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/128831 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |