ASEAN Explained

Summary

The script delves into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a political organization comprising 10 Southeast Asian nations, with observer states like East Timor and Papua New Guinea. Founded to foster regional cooperation and trade, ASEAN has evolved to address socio-economic development and geopolitical challenges. Despite not being a political union like the EU, it's instrumental in shaping regional policies and addressing issues like the South China Sea disputes. With a combined population of over 600 million and a GDP of $2.5 trillion, ASEAN's influence is growing, aiming for a unified identity and addressing critiques on human rights and environmental concerns.

Takeaways

• 🌍 ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is pronounced as /ˈɑːsiɑːn/ or /ˈɑːziɑːn/.
• 🏛️ ASEAN is a political organization consisting of 10 Southeast Asian nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with two observer states, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.
• 📜 It was initially founded as the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) in 1961 by Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaya, and later expanded to include Indonesia and Singapore.
• 🌐 ASEAN aims to facilitate intergovernmental relations and international trade among its member states, with a combined population of over 600 million and a GDP of $2.5 trillion.
• 🏢 The organization is led by a Secretary-General elected for a non-renewable five-year term and has its headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• 🗂️ ASEAN operates under the ASEAN Charter, which outlines goals for peace, cooperation, and even specifies an ASEAN flag, anthem, and an annual ASEAN Day on August 8th.
• 💼 ASEAN has trade agreements with countries like China, Japan, and Australia, and its member states may fly both their national flag and the ASEAN flag at embassies.
• 🏦 ASEAN is not the EU of Southeast Asia; it is a closely-knit intergovernmental organization without the strong integration of populations and economies seen in the EU.
• 🌊 The South China Sea is a geopolitical hotspot with overlapping territorial claims by several ASEAN nations and China, which can strain relations within the organization.
• 🏖️ Tourism is a significant revenue source for ASEAN countries, with around 109 million tourists visiting in 2015, contributing to approximately 10% of their total annual revenue and employing around 9 million people.
• 🌱 Critics argue that ASEAN is 'more talk than action', particularly regarding human rights, environmental issues, and its response to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Q & A

What does the acronym 'ASEAN' stand for?

ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

How is ASEAN pronounced?

ASEAN is pronounced as /ˈɑːsiɑːn/ ('AH-see-an') or /ˈɑːziɑːn/ ('AH-zee-an').

How many member nations does ASEAN have?

ASEAN is made up of ten nations in Southeast Asia.

What are the founding members of ASEAN?

The founding members of ASEAN were Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaya.

What was the original name of ASEAN when it was first established in 1961?

The original name of ASEAN when it was first established in 1961 was the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA).

What is the role of the Secretary General in ASEAN?

The Secretary General of ASEAN is chosen from one of its member states for a single, non-renewable, five-year term and leads the organization.

Where is the headquarters of ASEAN located?

The headquarters of ASEAN is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.

What is the combined population and GDP of ASEAN member states?

The combined population of ASEAN member states is over 600 million, and the combined GDP is $2.5 trillion.

What is the purpose of ASEAN?

ASEAN aims to facilitate intergovernmental relations and international trade between its member states.

How does ASEAN differ from the European Union?

While the European Union is a union that strongly integrates the populations and economies of its member countries, ASEAN is a closely-knit intergovernmental organization that does not integrate populations and economies to the same extent.

What are some of the criticisms directed at ASEAN?

Critics often point to ASEAN's lack of human rights promotion in politically troubled areas and its slow response to environmental issues, often calling the organization 'more talk than action'.

What is the significance of the 8th of August for ASEAN?

The 8th of August is significant for ASEAN as it marks ASEAN Day, commemorating the date of the Bangkok Declaration.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Understanding ASEAN

The paragraph introduces the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a political organization comprising ten Southeast Asian nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with two observer states, East Timor and Papua New Guinea. It serves to facilitate intergovernmental relations and international trade. Initially founded as the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) in 1961 by Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaya, it expanded to include Indonesia and Singapore, with the goal of promoting social progress, cultural development, economic growth, and curbing communism during the Cold War era. ASEAN is led by a Secretary-General elected for a non-renewable five-year term and headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. It operates under the ASEAN Charter, has its own flag, anthem, and celebrates ASEAN Day annually on August 8th. While it is not a union like the EU, it aims to create a pan-ASEAN identity and address regional issues such as the South China Sea disputes.

05:04

🏖️ ASEAN's Economic and Cultural Impact

This paragraph discusses the economic and cultural significance of ASEAN, particularly in the realm of tourism. It highlights that tourism is a vital revenue source for ASEAN countries, with around 109 million tourists visiting in 2015, contributing to approximately 10% of their total annual revenue and employing around 9 million people. The paragraph mentions popular tourist destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Pattaya, and Bali. It also touches on the critiques of ASEAN, including its perceived inaction on human rights and environmental issues. Despite these challenges, ASEAN is a growing organization with ambitious goals, including establishing a collective ASEAN identity. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation for Atlas en Route, a travel merchandise website, and encourages viewers to support future videos by using the provided affiliate link.

Keywords

💡ASEAN

ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, pronounced as /ˈɑːsiɑːn/ or /ˈɑːziɑːn/. It is a political organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries aimed at fostering intergovernmental relations and promoting international trade. The video script discusses ASEAN's formation, goals, and its role in the region, emphasizing its significance in international politics and trade.

💡Cold War

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. The video script mentions the Cold War as the historical context in which ASEAN was formed, with one of its motivations being to curb the spread of communism, illustrating the political climate that influenced its creation.

💡Economic Growth

Economic growth refers to the increase in the production of goods and services of an economy over a period of time. The script highlights economic growth as one of the key motivations behind the formation of ASEAN, aiming to improve the social progress and cultural development of its member states, showcasing the organization's focus on regional prosperity.

💡Secretary General

The Secretary General of ASEAN is the head of the organization, elected for a non-renewable five-year term from one of its member states. The video script explains the role of the Secretary General in leading ASEAN, reflecting the organizational structure and governance of the group.

💡ASEAN Charter

The ASEAN Charter serves as the constitution of the organization, outlining its goals, rules, and procedures. The script mentions the Charter to emphasize the formal framework that guides ASEAN's operations, including its objectives for peace and cooperation.

💡Common Currency

The concept of a common currency in the script refers to the idea of a unified monetary system within ASEAN, similar to the Euro in the European Union. It is mentioned as a potential future development, indicating the economic integration aspirations of the member states.

💡South China Sea

The South China Sea is a region with significant geopolitical importance due to its strategic sea lanes and natural resources. The video script discusses territorial disputes over the South China Sea among ASEAN member states and China, highlighting the complex political issues that the organization must navigate.

💡Visa Policies

Visa policies refer to the regulations governing the entry of foreigners into a country. The script explains that ASEAN member states generally offer visa-free access to each other's citizens, facilitating intra-regional travel and tourism, which is a significant aspect of ASEAN's economic integration efforts.

💡Tourism

Tourism is highlighted in the script as a major source of revenue for ASEAN countries, with millions of tourists visiting annually. The video emphasizes the economic importance of tourism in the region, underlining the role of ASEAN in promoting travel and cultural exchange.

💡Critiques

Critiques in the context of the video refer to the evaluations or judgments of ASEAN's effectiveness and actions. The script mentions critiques regarding human rights and environmental issues, indicating the challenges and areas for improvement that the organization faces.

💡Pan-ASEAN Identity

A pan-ASEAN identity refers to a collective sense of belonging and unity among the people of ASEAN member states. The video script discusses ASEAN's aim to establish such an identity, reflecting the organization's goal to foster a sense of community and shared values among its diverse member nations.

Highlights

ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is pronounced /ˈɑːsiɑːn/ or /ˈɑːziɑːn/.

ASEAN is a political organization consisting of ten Southeast Asian nations.

The member states include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

East Timor and Papua New Guinea are observer states within ASEAN.

ASEAN's purpose is to facilitate intergovernmental relations and international trade among its members.

Founded in 1961 as ASA, it was later expanded to ASEAN with the Bangkok Declaration.

The Bangkok Declaration aimed to improve social progress, cultural development, economic growth, and curb the spread of Communism.

ASEAN has a combined population of over 600 million and a GDP of $2.5 trillion.

The organization is led by a Secretary-General elected for a single, non-renewable five-year term.

ASEAN's headquarters are located in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The ASEAN Charter serves as the organization's constitution, outlining goals and symbols like a flag and anthem.

ASEAN Day is celebrated annually on August 8th to mark the Bangkok Declaration.

ASEAN has trade agreements with countries like China, Japan, and Australia.

ASEAN is not a union like the EU but a closely-knit intergovernmental organization.

There is an ongoing discussion about a potential common currency based on the Asian Currency Unit.

ASEAN nations have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, which is a geopolitical hotspot.

ASEAN members offer visa-free access to each other for 14 or 30 days, promoting intra-ASEAN travel.

Tourism is a significant revenue source for ASEAN countries, with around 109 million tourists in 2015.

Critics argue that ASEAN is 'more talk than action' regarding human rights and environmental issues.

ASEAN aims to establish a pan-ASEAN identity in the near future.

Southeast Asia is becoming a major tourist destination with its rich history and cultures.

Atlas en Route is mentioned as a travel merchandise website that supports future videos through affiliate links.

Transcripts

When you read into the international politics of Southeast Asia (people do that, right?),

or even where Southeast Asian countries are kind of involved, there is one little acronym

that you may occasionally see: this one.

But, what exactly does it mean?

What does it represent?

What are the goals behind it?

What does it stand for?

How do you even pronounce it?

This acronym is short for the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations, and is pronounced

/ˈɑːsiɑːn/ (“AH-see-an”) or /ˈɑːziɑːn/ (“AH-zee-an”).

Now, I actually made a video about ASEAN a few years ago, but the thing about that is

that it was pretty obviously a few years ago, but the people of Southeast Asian’t still

deserve a basic explanation of this organization, so here I am yet again to provide it!

ASEAN is a political organization made up of ten nations in Southeast Asia.

In Geography Now order, they are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,

the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as two observer states, East

Timor, and Papua New Guinea.

ASEAN is a regional organization whose purpose is to help facilitate intergovernmental relations

and international trade between its member states.

The group was initially founded as the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) in 1961, between Thailand,

the Philippines, and Malaya.

It was then turned into ASEAN, in the ASEAN/Bangkok Declaration, which-- get this-- was a declaration

signed in Bangkok.

More specifically, when the ASA’s members were joined by Indonesia and Singapore, and

was signed with the motivation of improving social progress, cultural development, and

economic growth, as well as curbing the spread of Communism.

This was the Cold War, after all (damn it, I suddenly can’t go one video without mentioning

the Cold War).

ASEAN’s member states have a combined population of over 600 million, and a combined GDP of

$2.5 trillion.

ASEAN is led by a Secretary General, chosen from one of its member states for a single,

non-renewable, five-year term.

ASEAN’s headquarters are in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the organization operates under the ASEAN

Charter, which is essentially the closest thing they have to a constitution, which calls

for everything from goals of peace and cooperation to having their own flag, anthem, and an annual

ASEAN Day on the 8th of August, to mark the date of the Bangkok Declaration (which is

this Thursday, if you wanted to know, so I guess I timed this video right).

The organization also has foreign trade agreements with countries like China, Japan, and Australia,

and some of its member states can be seen flying their flag and ASEAN’s flag in places

like their embassies.

So, from the sound of this, ASEAN is basically the EU of Southeast Asia, right?

Well, not exactly.

The European Union is essentially a… well, a union between many of the countries of Europe

that strongly integrates their populations and economies.

ASEAN is a little different, as they are a closely-nit intergovernmental organization.

This means that if someone from Bangkok were to work in Singapore, they would still have

to apply for a work permit, go through customs and immigration at Changi Airport, exchange

their Thai Baht for Singapore Dollars, and all the other stuff that usually comes with

getting a job in a foreign country.

However, they are kind of toying around with the idea of a new common currency based on

the Asian Currency Unit, which is something called a currency basket between a bunch of

different currencies around East Asia, kind of like European Currency Unit, which was

the predecessor to the Euro, but that’s a story for another time.

Basically, ASEAN is not the EU, but it is still important for the individual nations

of Southeast Asia, as it effectively serves as a kind of union between the governments,

especially in the wake of various world powers knocking on their doorstep.

While many ASEAN member nations have good relations with China, and some with both China

and the US, China however is kind of making things a little difficult in the South China

Sea.

The South China Sea is home to some of the world’s most important sea lanes, and a

crap-ton of oil and fish, and many ASEAN nations have overlapping claims to its oh-so important

waters.

The Philippines claims these waters, Malaysia claims these, Brunei these, and Vietnam these,

and then China just kind of does this.

Regardless of whose side you’re on, that’s not going to make the other countries happy.

Add in the Spratly Islands right in the middle, where countries can claim even more land for

themselves and thus expand their territorial waters even further, and you’ve got a geopolitical

volcano that even a social studies YouTuber like me is too cowardly to dive into, and

will promptly distract you with something else.

Hey look, visa policies!

Every ASEAN member also grants visa-free access to every other ASEAN member for either 14

or 30 days (except for citizens of Myanmar and Malaysia, who both need an e-visa to visit

each-other’s countries).

In addition, many nationalities can visit most or all of the ASEAN countries without

a visa, or with an electronic visa, and so intra-ASEAN travel has become incredibly commonplace.

I mean, even this dork has done it.

Tourism is an important source of revenue for these countries, especially as, according

to asean.org, around 109 million tourists visited the ASEAN countries in 2015, directly

and indirectly accountable for around 10% of their total annual revenue, and directly

employing around 9 million people.

For good reason too, as Bangkok has been the most visited city in the world for a few years

now, with Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Pattaya, and Bali not too far behind either.

Although I didn’t mention them in my superpowers video, ASEAN is still nevertheless an important

and rapidly emerging power in today’s world, although there are still plenty of critiques

to be made about its actions, or in most cases, lack thereof.

This is specifically including lack of human rights promotion in politically troubled areas,

as well as environmental issues coming from intense pollution in other areas.

Critics often call out the organization for being “more talk than action” for these

reasons.

Nevertheless, ASEAN is still a growing organization, and has bigs aim for the future, notably with

establishing a kind of pan-ASEAN identity within the near future.

Southeast Asia is most certainly set for an interesting future, so I guess the best we

can do is wait to see what unfolds.

Now, Southeast Asia is fast becoming a major tourist destination, and for good reason,

what with its distinct history and cultures, there’s a reason I went there earlier this

summer.

The thing is though, travel always requires preparation, which is why I’d recommend

you check out Atlas en Route.

Atlas en Route is a travel merchandise website that sells everything from backpacks to passport

covers, and even scratch-off world maps for when you complete your trip.

Atlas en Route hasn’t sponsored this video, but they have given us an affiliate link,

so anything you buy after going there through the link in the description will help go towards

supporting future KhAnubis videos, and getting you that one thing you may be missing for

your next trip.

Thank you as always for watching, and do be sure to like and subscribe, and join the Discord

server.

And of course, be sure to subscribe so you can learn something new every Sunday.