ASEAN SOCIAL COHESION DEVELOPMENT: TOWARD STRENGTHENING REGIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

This paper analyzes the principle of social cohesion for ASEAN countries. In the context of social cohesion model, ASEAN members should strive to preserve their strong relations in spite of their diverse backgrounds. Only by understanding and accepting individual differences can ASEAN move forward with the pursuit of its development agenda without being seen as one with only the soft power by its peers. As such, this paper argues that social cohesion has the potential to be made as the foundation for ASEAN development and expansion in the future. Looking at the uncertainties of global economy and politics, ASEAN should be well-equipped and well-prepared to embrace the world’s many unpredictability of sort. With ASEAN continuing to go strong and steadfast with its neutrality principle, ASEAN is more than able to further consolidate its unity as a whole, which is paramount to secure the regional security. The member countries’ heterogeneous and varied backgrounds notwithstanding, not only a strong and cogent ASEAN will be more understanding of each other, it will only help buttress and bolster the sovereignty of its member countries. As such, this qualitative paper deliberates on and provides the framework of the social cohesion for a strong ASEAN country so important to face the challenges of global politics.