ASEAN and the Dynamics of Resistance to Sovereignty Violation: The Case of the Third Indochina War (1978–1991). (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Southgate, Laura
• Other Names: Tan Alexander C. guest-editor.; Khoo Nicholas guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Asian security and international affairs. Volume 2:Number 2(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 200
• Page End: 221
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: ASEAN -- Interests -- Sovereignty -- Intervention -- Cambodia; Security, International -- Asia -- Periodicals; National security -- Asia -- Periodicals; Asia -- Foreign relations -- Periodicals; Asia -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 327.095
• DOI: 10.1177/2347797015586128
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2347-7970

Abstract

This article investigates the history of ASEAN's relationship to external intervention in regional affairs. It addresses a specific question: What was the basic cause of the success of ASEAN resistance to the Vietnamese challenge to ASEAN's sovereignty from 1978-1991? ASEAN's history is understood in terms of a realist theoretical logic, in terms of the relationship between an ASEAN state with the most compelling interests at stake in a given issue, which I call a 'vanguard state, ' and selected external powers. Using the Third Indochina War (1978–1991) as a case study, this article contends that ASEAN's ability to resist violations to the sovereignty of Thailand from a Soviet-backed Vietnam is a consequence of high interest convergence between Thailand, and a designated external power, China.