Between continuity and change : the ASEAN Charter and its impact on regional legitimation

This thesis investigates the influence of the ASEAN Charter on the legitimation discourses of ASEAN member states, focusing on Indonesia and Myanmar in 2023. The Charter, adopted in 2007, introduced “Western” norms such as democracy, human rights, and good governance, marking a shift from the traditional “ASEAN Way” norms which emphasized non-interference and consensus. This thesis addresses how significantly these Charter norms have reshaped the way member states justify ASEAN’s authority and governance. Using qualitative discourse analysis, I examine official statements from Indonesia, a norm entrepreneur, and Myanmar, a resistant member state, to identify references to Charter norms versus traditional ASEAN norms. Findings reveal that Indonesia frequently invokes high-level Charter norms like human rights and inclusiveness and often emphasizes concrete actions. In contrast, Myanmar predominantly references procedural norms and traditional “ASEAN Way” norms, indicating resistance to democratic normative shifts while still engaging with the Charter framework. The findings suggest a mixed normative space within ASEAN, where Charter norms compete with the pre-existing “ASEAN Way” framework. The study contributes to understanding norm diffusion in regional organizations and the ASEAN Charter’s role in shaping contemporary legitimation discourses.