Civil Society in Search of an Alternative Regionalism in ASEAN

The document explores the tension between 'mainstream' and 'progressive' regionalism in Southeast Asia. It argues that while ASEAN has introduced a 'people-oriented' approach to gain support, civil society advocates for a 'people-centred' model where citizens are at the heart of decision-making. The author details the evolution of civil society engagement, from early academic and business influence via ASEAN-ISIS to more aggressive advocacy by networks like the Solidarity for Asian People’s Advocacies (SAPA). The paper concludes that alternative regionalism is emerging as a bottom-up process seeking to integrate human rights, social protection, and democratic participation into the regional framework.

• Alternative regionalism in Southeast Asia is interpreted differently by two ideological camps: mainstream regionalists view it as the deepening of existing integration and the expansion of ASEAN's reach, while progressive regionalists see it as a social-movement-led response to neo-liberalism, often citing Latin American models like ALBA and the Treaty of Commerce for Peoples (TCP).
• The author defines alternative regionalism in the Southeast Asian context as a bottom-up process involving diverse stakeholders—including NGOs, trade unions, and the academic community—that prioritizes a 'people-centred' approach over state-led interests.
• Civil society engagement with ASEAN has evolved from 'track-two' diplomacy led by academic think-tanks like ASEAN-ISIS to more direct and critical advocacy by networks such as the Solidarity for Asian People’s Advocacies (SAPA), which seeks to establish an ASEAN People’s Centre in Jakarta.
• There is a fundamental distinction between a 'people-oriented' ASEAN and a 'people-centred' ASEAN: the former suggests policies are oriented toward people's interests but leaves final decision-making with political elites, whereas the latter demands that people be at the heart of the decision-making process through democratic means.
• The implementation of a people-centred model faces significant hurdles, including the reluctance of state elites to surrender power, the hostility of less democratic member states (such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam), and the potential for such a shift to undermine ASEAN unity or slow down integration.

APA

Chandra, A. C. (2009). Civil Society in Search of an Alternative Regionalism in ASEAN. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/civil_society_alt_regionalism_asean.pdf

Chicago

Chandra, Alexander C. Civil Society in Search of an Alternative Regionalism in ASEAN. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2009. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/civil_society_alt_regionalism_asean.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chandra |first1=Alexander C. |title=Civil Society in Search of an Alternative Regionalism in ASEAN |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2009 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/civil_society_alt_regionalism_asean.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chandra2009civil, author = {Chandra, Alexander C.}, title = {{Civil Society in Search of an Alternative Regionalism in ASEAN}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2009}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/civil_society_alt_regionalism_asean.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }