Alternate Centres of Power

Emergence of ASEAN(Association of SouthEast Asian Nations) and European Union (EU), in Asia and Europe respectively, marks the end of concentration of world Political and Economic power within two countries. America’s hold over the world with military and economic power subsided with this in the early 19th Century. As a result, the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), respectively, become key players in Europe and Asia. Both the EU and ASEAN established alternative institutions and norms to solve historical enmities and shortcomings, resulting in a more peaceful and cooperative regional order and the transformation of the region’s countries into thriving economies. The rise of China’s economy has had a profound impact on international politics. 

ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was created in 1967 by the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to strengthen the economy, socioeconomic evolution, and civilization in Southeast Asia, as well as peace and security. Brunei entered in 1984, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. The ASEAN region is the world’s largest, with a population of about 600 million people and a total size of 4.5 million square km. The Association of SouthEast Asia (ASA), which was replaced by ASEAN, was founded in 1961 by the Philippines, Thailand, and the Federation of Malaya (now part of Malaysia).

European Union

The European Union (EU) is a collection of 27 countries that collaborate on economic and political issues. Nineteen countries use the euro as their official currency. The EU developed from a desire to construct a unified European political organisation to resolve decades of conflict between European countries, which culminated in World War II, which decimated the majority of the continent. The European Single Market was established in 1993 by 12 countries to protect the so-called “four freedoms” of goods, services, people, and money mobility.

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Alternative Centres of Power

Japan: 

• Japan has a shortage of natural resources and hence has to import most of its raw materials, despite developing after the end of the Second World War. Japan was the only nation that suffered the wrath caused by the explosion of nuclear bombs
• Japan took membership of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1964
• It was the third-largest economy in the world in 2017, the 11th most populous nation globally, and the only Asian nation to have membership in G-7 countries
• Contributing almost 10% of the total, Japan is the 2nd most significant contributor to the regular budget of the UN
• Japan has been a Strategic Security Partner of the US since 1951
• Japan is the seventh-largest globally, though they spend only 1% of their GDP on military expenditure
• “The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.”, says Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution

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South Korea:

• At the end of the 2nd World War, the Korean peninsula was bifurcated along the 38th Parallel into South Korea (Republic of Korea) and North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea)
• The Cold War-era geopolitics and the Korean War during 1950-53 further deteriorated the two countries’ relations
• Both North Korea and South Korea finally took up the membership of the United Nations on September 17th, 1991
• South Korea developed briskly in all socio-economic dimensions during the 1960s-1980s also referred to as the “Miracle on the Han River.” Owing to its overall development across various sectors, it became a member of the OECD in 1996
• By 2017, South Korea was the 10th largest military spender and the 11th largest economy globally
• South Korea ranked 16th in the Human Development Index as per Human Development Report 2016
• Successful land reforms, rural development, extensive human resources development, and rapid, equitable economic growth have been the mainstay factors responsible for South Korea’s high levels of human development
• Various other factors that have also contributed to South Korea’s growth are: export orientation, strong redistribution policies, public infrastructure development, effective institutions, and governance
• India and South Korea have enjoyed a cordial relationship that has been strengthened by various agreements, which has signified their growing cultural and commercial ties. Brands of South Korean origin like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai have been highly successful in India in their respective segments

Conclusion

To end the concentration of power with America, which became very evident after the end of the Soviet Union. The need for an alternate centre of powers became necessary. With the same emergence of ASEAN and EU happened. These centres enabled Asian and European countries, respectively, to get enhanced opportunities for economical, Cultural and Sustainable development.