ASEAN Yolu: Nedir ve ne değildir?

The ASEAN Way is a conflict prevention strategy that has been relatively effective in steering the member countries through the union. The framework stipulates that member states should not interfere with other internal matters; this has helped reduce some of the conflicts that have been faced in the region over the years. Despite the success or failure-whatever way one may look at it-there are conflicting views on how to evaluate ASEAN performance. Rather than analyzing the nature of ASEAN itself, many scholars tend to view the success or failure of ASEAN, according to its impacts, from the Western point of view. When describing ASEAN's achievements in maintaining regional peace and security, the narrative becomes considerably more positive. The critique against the peace-building efforts by ASEAN has been superficial and devoid of proper reality checks. Whereas ASEAN has indeed been a success, this judgment largely rests in the eye of the beholder since it all depends on the vantage point it is viewed from. This work will attempt to evaluate what ASEAN means as judged by both local and international opinion.