The Role of ASEAN in Maintaining Political Stability in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Opportunities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31849/c74pe978Keywords:
ASEAN, Conflict Resolution, Non Intervention, Political Stability, Regional SecurityAbstract
ASEAN plays a vital role in maintaining political stability in Southeast Asia, yet its effectiveness is often limited by policy implementation challenges. This study adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing literature review and policy analysis to assess ASEAN’s mechanisms for conflict resolution. Through case studies on the South China Sea dispute and the Myanmar political crisis, the research highlights ASEAN’s diplomatic limitations, the impact of political diversity among member states, and the constraints of its non-intervention principle. Findings suggest that ASEAN’s consensus-based model weakens its ability to address regional conflicts decisively. The study recommends strengthening policy enforcement mechanisms, enhancing international cooperation, and reconsidering the non-intervention policy to improve ASEAN’s conflict resolution effectiveness. Reforming ASEAN’s governance structure is essential to strengthening its role in regional stability and global diplomacy.
Keywords: ASEAN; Conflict Resolution; Non-Intervention; Political Stability; Regional Security
References
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James, A., Fred, A., Asante, G., & Salman, R. (2024). Exploring Regional Governance in Southeast Asia: Insights From a Multi-Level and Integrated Framework. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387312592
Jati, I. (2014). Critical Perspective on ASEAN Security Community under ASEAN Political and Security Community. Unisia, 36, 135–141. https://doi.org/10.20885/unisia.vol36.iss81.art4
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Luc, T. (2024). ASEAN Centrality and the Major Powers: South China Sea Case Study. UNSW Sydney. https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/21806
Maki, T., & Punthumasen, P. (2025). The Limits of Political Situations for Societal Change in Thailand. In C. Yamahata & M. Takeda (Eds.), Youth, Community, and Democracy in India, Myanmar, and Thailand (pp. 123–161). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-6378-8_5
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Muhammad, A., & Sahide, A. (2022). ASEAN’s RESPONSE TO THE MYANMAR MILITARY COUP: FROM NON-INTERVENTION TO RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT. Revista UNISCI, 2022(59), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.31439/unisci-140
Müller, L. M., & Beeson, M. (2022). From collective security to the construction of regional security communities: regional security governance in a global context. In Geography, Planning and Tourism 2022 (pp. 307–322). https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800377561.00033
Nahar, F. H. (2025). Remittances and poverty in ASEAN. Cogent Economics & Finance, 13(1), 2468882. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2025.2468882
Prayuda, R., Syafrinaldi, Suparto, Admiral, & Sary, D. V. (2023). Toward Effective ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance in Combating Non-Traditional Security Threats in Southeast Asia Region. Revista Relações Internacionais Do Mundo Atual Unicuritiba, 4(42), 158–178. https://repository.uir.ac.id/22924/1/Toward%20Effective%20of%20Asean%20Mutual%20Legal%20Assistance.pdf
Raeisinejad, A., & Student, M. A. (2022). Regionalism Model of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nasim berenji. In Journal of Central Eurasia Studies, Faculty of Law and Political Science (Vol. 15, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.22059/jcep.2022.342405.450069
Rendtorff, J. D. (2024). Methodology for Case Studies in Business Ethics. In Handbook of Case Study Research in the Social Sciences. Elgar Online. https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/9781803920320/book-part-9781803920320-27.xml
Rivera, T. C. (2020). Chapter 1 Challenges to Regional Order.
Roewer, R. (2025). Four Years after the Coup the EU Should Increase Support for Myanmar’s Resistance. German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) - Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien. https://doi.org/10.57671/gfas-25012
Roosmalen, H. van. (2020). A Bid to Shape the Future of International Law and Society? China’s position regarding the South China Sea arbitral proceedings and its evolving position within the society of states assessed through the prism of the English School. https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/34990
Rosyidin, M., & Pattipeilohy, S. C. H. (2020). Regionalism under challenge: Ideas and Joko Widodo’s foreign policy towards ASEAN, 2014-2019. In Journal of ASEAN Studies (Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp. 147–172). Bina Nusantara University. https://doi.org/10.21512/jas.v8i2.6596
Sarjito, A. (2024). Strategic Evaluation: Geodefense-Based Defense Policy in Confronting Contemporary Military Threats. PROVIDER JURNAL ILMU PEMERINTAHAN, 3(1), 17–37.
Sirijintana, W. (2022). Putting ASEAN to Test: The Roles and Challenges of Resolving the Myanmar Political Crisis After the 2021 Coup Putting ASEAN to Test: The Roles and Challenges of Resolving the Myanmar Political Crisis 2. In Graduate Review of Political Science and Public Administration Journal (Vol. 1, Issue 2). https://so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/GRPSPAJ/article/download/1091/1352
Spastyono, J., Malik, I., & Wahyudi, B. (2024). ASEAN Non-Interference Under Heavy Pressure: Is It Change or Crises for ASEAN Peace? Jurnal Hubungan Internasional, 17(1), 92–106. https://so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/GRPSPAJ/article/view/1091
Sundram, P. (2025). Network governance in ASEAN: fostering regional cooperation and integration. Frontiers in Political Science, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1434595
Ware, A., & Skidmore, M. (2021). AFTER THE COUP MYANMAR’S POLITICAL AND HUMANITARIAN CRISES. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/87972/1/book.pdf#page=155
Wu, L. (2021). Is ASEAN Centrality Being Undermined by the US?China Institutional Competition? An Analysis Based on ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). In Preventive Diplomacy, Peacebuilding and Security in the Asia-Pacific: Vol. Volume 7 (pp. 273–292). WORLD SCIENTIFIC. https://doi.org/doi:10.1142/9789811242953_0014
Yong, O. K., & Hussain, N. (2024). ASEAN, China, and the South China Sea. In Sustainable Peace of the South China Sea: Vol. Volume 11 (pp. 231–243). WORLD SCIENTIFIC. https://doi.org/doi:10.1142/9789811296031_0012
Yuniarti, A. (2024). Challenges Facing the ASEAN Political and Security Community due to the 2021 Myanmar Military Coup: The Role of ASEAN Centrality. Journal of Strategic Studies & International Affairs, 4(1), 65–84. https://doi.org/10.17576/sinergi.0401.2024.05
Agastia, I. G. B. D. (2021). Maritime security cooperation within the asean institutional framework: A gradual shift towards practical cooperation. Journal of ASEAN Studies, 9(1), 25–48. https://doi.org/10.21512/JAS.V9I1.6919
Ba, A. D. (2023). Diversification’s legitimation challenges: ASEAN and its Myanmar predicament. International Affairs, 99(3), 1063–1085. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiad061
Best, E. (2025). Comparative Regionalism in an Age of Conflict. www.cris.unu.edu
Boshnjaku, A., & Krasniqi, E. (2024). Diagnosing sarcopenia in clinical practice: international guidelines vs. population-specific cutoff criteria. Frontiers in Medicine, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1405438
Caballero-Anthony, M. (2022). The ASEAN way and the changing security environment: navigating challenges to informality and centrality. International Politics, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-022-00400-0
Carl Dick MA, by E. (2025). Abstract ASEAN’s SCS Divergence: An Analysis of Historical, Economic, and Strategic Factors. https://www.proquest.com/openview/a6b293ce9bdb2efb3673fb98c3535d40/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Chairil, T., Putri, R. A. A. K., & Pertiwi, S. B. (2022). Road to ASEAN Political Security Community Vision 2025: Understanding Convergence and Divergence in ASEAN Voting Behaviors in the UNGA. Journal of ASEAN Studies, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.21512/jas.v10i2.8175
Emmers, R., & Le Thu, H. (2021). Vietnam and the search for security leadership in ASEAN. Asian Security, 17(1), 64–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/14799855.2020.1769068
Gabusi, G., & Neironi, R. (2022). Myanmar After the Coup: Resistance, Resilience, and Re-invention. T.wai – Torino World Affairs Institute. http://www.twai.it
Ganesan, N. (2024). Policy Responses of the ASEAN States towards the Myanmar Military Coup 95 Special Feature Policy Responses of the ASEAN States towards the Myanmar Military Coup.
Gomes, R. A. (2024). Leveraging ASEAN Membership for Timor-Leste’s Development: Issues and Recommendations #. https://www.eria.org/uploads/Leveraging-ASEAN-Membership-for-Timor-Lestes-Development.pdf
Gunawan, T. (2023). Between Principles and Actions: ASEAN and Indonesia in Dealing With The Political Crisis In Myanmar. Global Strategis, 18(1). https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JGS/article/download/48783/28858
Hamed Ja whar Hassan. (2021). The ASEAN Regional Forum: Challenges and Prospects. www.pacforum.org
Hamit, A. F. A. (2024). The Nexus between Perceived Corruption, Macroeconomic Indicators, and Capital Flights in ASEAN-4 Countries. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5713592/v1
Hue, T. T. (2025). Singapore-US Relations 2004-2024: From the Perspective of International Relations Theories. Dialogues in Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(1), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.71261/dhss/3.1.29.38
James, A., Fred, A., Asante, G., & Salman, R. (2024). Exploring Regional Governance in Southeast Asia: Insights From a Multi-Level and Integrated Framework. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387312592
Jati, I. (2014). Critical Perspective on ASEAN Security Community under ASEAN Political and Security Community. Unisia, 36, 135–141. https://doi.org/10.20885/unisia.vol36.iss81.art4
Kim, S. Y. (2025). Centrality and Community: ASEAN in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. OAPEN Library. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/98674/1/9781040304563.pdf#page=74
Lee, J. (2022). Myanmar and ASEAN After the 2021 Coup. East Asia Institute (EAI). https://www.eai.or.kr/new/en/project/research_view.asp?code=9393&intSeq=21157&board=eng_issuebriefing
Luc, T. (2024). ASEAN Centrality and the Major Powers: South China Sea Case Study. UNSW Sydney. https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/21806
Maki, T., & Punthumasen, P. (2025). The Limits of Political Situations for Societal Change in Thailand. In C. Yamahata & M. Takeda (Eds.), Youth, Community, and Democracy in India, Myanmar, and Thailand (pp. 123–161). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-6378-8_5
Mayer, S. (2021). Cooperation from Outside: Security Regionalism in Central Asia and Its Limits. Central Asian Affairs, 8(2), 203–228. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30965/22142290-bja10017
Muhammad, A., & Sahide, A. (2022). ASEAN’s RESPONSE TO THE MYANMAR MILITARY COUP: FROM NON-INTERVENTION TO RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT. Revista UNISCI, 2022(59), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.31439/unisci-140
Müller, L. M., & Beeson, M. (2022). From collective security to the construction of regional security communities: regional security governance in a global context. In Geography, Planning and Tourism 2022 (pp. 307–322). https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800377561.00033
Nahar, F. H. (2025). Remittances and poverty in ASEAN. Cogent Economics & Finance, 13(1), 2468882. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2025.2468882
Prayuda, R., Syafrinaldi, Suparto, Admiral, & Sary, D. V. (2023). Toward Effective ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance in Combating Non-Traditional Security Threats in Southeast Asia Region. Revista Relações Internacionais Do Mundo Atual Unicuritiba, 4(42), 158–178. https://repository.uir.ac.id/22924/1/Toward%20Effective%20of%20Asean%20Mutual%20Legal%20Assistance.pdf
Raeisinejad, A., & Student, M. A. (2022). Regionalism Model of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nasim berenji. In Journal of Central Eurasia Studies, Faculty of Law and Political Science (Vol. 15, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.22059/jcep.2022.342405.450069
Rendtorff, J. D. (2024). Methodology for Case Studies in Business Ethics. In Handbook of Case Study Research in the Social Sciences. Elgar Online. https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/9781803920320/book-part-9781803920320-27.xml
Rivera, T. C. (2020). Chapter 1 Challenges to Regional Order.
Roewer, R. (2025). Four Years after the Coup the EU Should Increase Support for Myanmar’s Resistance. German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) - Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien. https://doi.org/10.57671/gfas-25012
Roosmalen, H. van. (2020). A Bid to Shape the Future of International Law and Society? China’s position regarding the South China Sea arbitral proceedings and its evolving position within the society of states assessed through the prism of the English School. https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/34990
Rosyidin, M., & Pattipeilohy, S. C. H. (2020). Regionalism under challenge: Ideas and Joko Widodo’s foreign policy towards ASEAN, 2014-2019. In Journal of ASEAN Studies (Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp. 147–172). Bina Nusantara University. https://doi.org/10.21512/jas.v8i2.6596
Sarjito, A. (2024). Strategic Evaluation: Geodefense-Based Defense Policy in Confronting Contemporary Military Threats. PROVIDER JURNAL ILMU PEMERINTAHAN, 3(1), 17–37.
Sirijintana, W. (2022). Putting ASEAN to Test: The Roles and Challenges of Resolving the Myanmar Political Crisis After the 2021 Coup Putting ASEAN to Test: The Roles and Challenges of Resolving the Myanmar Political Crisis 2. In Graduate Review of Political Science and Public Administration Journal (Vol. 1, Issue 2). https://so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/GRPSPAJ/article/download/1091/1352
Spastyono, J., Malik, I., & Wahyudi, B. (2024). ASEAN Non-Interference Under Heavy Pressure: Is It Change or Crises for ASEAN Peace? Jurnal Hubungan Internasional, 17(1), 92–106. https://so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/GRPSPAJ/article/view/1091
Sundram, P. (2025). Network governance in ASEAN: fostering regional cooperation and integration. Frontiers in Political Science, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1434595
Ware, A., & Skidmore, M. (2021). AFTER THE COUP MYANMAR’S POLITICAL AND HUMANITARIAN CRISES. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/87972/1/book.pdf#page=155
Wu, L. (2021). Is ASEAN Centrality Being Undermined by the US?China Institutional Competition? An Analysis Based on ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). In Preventive Diplomacy, Peacebuilding and Security in the Asia-Pacific: Vol. Volume 7 (pp. 273–292). WORLD SCIENTIFIC. https://doi.org/doi:10.1142/9789811242953_0014
Yong, O. K., & Hussain, N. (2024). ASEAN, China, and the South China Sea. In Sustainable Peace of the South China Sea: Vol. Volume 11 (pp. 231–243). WORLD SCIENTIFIC. https://doi.org/doi:10.1142/9789811296031_0012
Yuniarti, A. (2024). Challenges Facing the ASEAN Political and Security Community due to the 2021 Myanmar Military Coup: The Role of ASEAN Centrality. Journal of Strategic Studies & International Affairs, 4(1), 65–84. https://doi.org/10.17576/sinergi.0401.2024.05
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2026-01-31
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The Role of ASEAN in Maintaining Political Stability in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Opportunities. (2026). JOELS: Journal of Election and Leadership , 7(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.31849/c74pe978
