Abstract
Asia–Pacific regionalism is quite different from its counterparts in other regions of the world. Most notably, it displays an extremely low level of institutionalization and is led by a small/weak power (i.e., ASEAN), rather than major powers in the region. ASEAN leadership stressing dialogue and consensus without enforcement mechanisms inevitably produces weak regional institutions that are ineffective in resolving region-wide security and economic problems. Contending that the main source of the small power-driven (i.e., ASEAN-led) Asia–Pacific regionalism is the influence rivalry and leadership competition among the three major powers (the USA, China, and Japan) in the region, this article seeks to articulate the conditions under which the weak power of ASEAN takes the lead in the process of regional security and economic cooperation.
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