The Process toward an ASEAN Security Community and Its Impact on Myanmar’s Political Development

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explain the causal relationship between ASEAN‟s process toward a Security Community and recent political developments in Myanmar. Therefore, this research mainly focuses on the question “how the process of transforming ASEAN into a Security Community has influenced the political reform process in Myanmar”. In October 2003, at their 9th Summit in Bali, Indonesia, ASEAN leaders agreed to establish an ASEAN Security Community by 2020. Transforming ASEAN into a Security Community demands the member states to share democracy and other liberal norms and values as their common vision and values within the regional political and security cooperation framework. It is imperative for the member states including Myanmar to follow and implement their agreed principles and programs in order to reach the goal of ASEAN Security Community. The new government which came to power through November 2010 general election pledged to build Myanmar as a modern, developed democratic country; to reform their government as clean government which is transparent, accountable, and responsible to the people through the Union Parliament; and to respect the fundamental rights of the citizens. As the latest development, in order to promote and protect the fundamental rights of its citizens, the new government established the National Human Rights Commission in early September 2011. Moreover, the by-election was held in April 2012 based on the principle of all inclusiveness. There can be several variables explaining recent political developments in Myanmar. As one of the variables, this paper argues that Myanmar‟s recent political developments should be understood under the light of its leaders‟ response to the changing circumstances in its regional strategic environment as well as their attempts to adjust its domestic political system with regional standards, i.e, ASEAN standards. This research is conducted through "Qualitative Analysis" by analyzing ASEAN Official Documents like Bali Concord II, ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action, ASEAN Charter as well as Myanmar National Documents such as President's Speeches, govt.'s Press statements and releases; Newspapers. This research also applied "Karl W. Deutsch's "Security Community" concept as an Analytical Framework.