Regionalism in International Relations: Burma’s Relations with ASEAN and Implications for Regional Politics (1997–2013)

This article presents an in-depth investigation into Burma’s (Myanmar’s) engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 1997 to 2013, a period marked by significant regional and domestic transformation. By critically examining the security, political, and economic challenges facing Burma, the article explores how ASEAN’s evolving norms and the influence of Western powers shaped the trajectory of democratization in Burma. Drawing from constructivist and neo-institutionalist frameworks, the study utilizes qualitative methods, including extensive document analysis and literature review, to argue that Burma’s political opening was less a product of endogenous reform and more a result of sustained, multifaceted external pressure—particularly from ASEAN and Western actors. The article discusses the evolution of ASEAN’s engagement with Burma, the interplay of regional and global influences, and the implications for ASEAN’s principles and regional politics. It concludes that Burma’s democratization exemplifies the complexities of regional organization engagement with authoritarian states and offers lessons for future political transitions in Southeast Asia.