The Making Of Southeast Asia: International Relations Of A Region

by Amitav Acharya

Developing a framework to study "what makes a region," Amitav Acharya investigates the origins and evolution of Southeast Asian regionalism and international relations. He views the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) "from the bottom up"-as not only a U.S.-inspired ally in the Cold War struggle against communism but also an organization that reflects indigenous traditions. Although Acharya deploys the notion of "imagined community" to examine the changes, especially since the Cold War, in the significance of ASEAN dealings for a regional identity, he insists that "imagination" is itself not a neutral but rather a culturally variable concept. The regional imagination in Southeast Asia imagines a community of nations different from NAFTA or NATO, the OAU, or the European Union.

In this new edition of a book first published as The Quest for Identity in 2000, Acharya updates developments in the region through the first decade of the new century: the aftermath of the financial crisis of 1997, security affairs after September 2001, the long-term impact of the 2004 tsunami, and the substantial changes wrought by the rise of China as a regional and global actor. Acharya argues in this important book for the crucial importance of regionalism in a different part of the world.

Genres: Politics, History

408 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jason Friedlander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good overall, with a particularly excellent overview of Southeast Asian relations over the 20th century. I think it lags at the backend as it approaches the 21st century and details some of what was going on in the then-present day (early 2000s). It was also quite theoretically safe and I wish it had a bolder analysis of things, but it was still an interesting read nonetheless.

I’m looking forward to continue learning about the region and its many conceptions, and for those curious too, I recommend this is a decent start to the journey.

[Neil H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly focused, readable book for most of your needs on knowing about ASEAN. How it came to be from its messy pre colonial period, decolonial uncertainty, nationalist and regional stuttering aspirations. Mr Achraya makes swift work of persuading the reader he's there to provide the best use of ur time if you r just patient. It's a voyage on Asia, our times and our progression.

[David Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative book that could have been cut in half. Spends far too much time repeating the same information over and over again.