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Do you foresee a future EU-style setup of the ASEAN region someday?
If so, which countries of ASEAN would join? All of them? Some that wouldn't? What implications would this have for each individual country that would join?
I'm not as knowleeable of Asian politics like I am with Latin American and European politics, but I don't see anything of the sort happening at all. The very first stumbling block that ASEAN countries need to get over with, is the concept that they are Singaporean, Filipino, Malaysian, East Timorian, Indonesian, etc. You have to get people to start accepting that they are Asian first, and their nationality second. This is not true of anywhere in Asia, AFAIK, because all of the Asians I've encountered in my city do not consider themselves Asian, they go by whatever flag they were born under.
I'm not as knowleeable of Asian politics like I am with Latin American and European politics, but I don't see anything of the sort happening at all. The very first stumbling block that ASEAN countries need to get over with, is the concept that they are Singaporean, Filipino, Malaysian, East Timorian, Indonesian, etc. You have to get people to start accepting that they are Asian first, and their nationality second. This is not true of anywhere in Asia, AFAIK, because all of the Asians I've encountered in my city do not consider themselves Asian, they go by whatever flag they were born under.
But, I think this is the exact same in Europe. A person is German first, and just happens to be in EU at the same time.
I don't think a German would consider himself/herself European first, and German second. Particularly, because no one else in Europe would let them NOT identify with their country of origin.
But, I think this is the exact same in Europe. A person is German first, and just happens to be in EU at the same time.
I don't think a German would consider himself/herself European first, and German second. Particularly, because no one else in Europe would let them NOT identify with their country of origin.
Here's the big difference between Europeans and Asians. Most Europeans have no problem co-identifying with a pan-European identity marker. Yes, they identify with their country first, but they also frequently refer to themselves as European, too. Brits are the only exception to the rule inside the EU where many still insist they are not European. The mainland EU countries see themselves as European, alongside of their national identity. I haven't seen that from Asians. If Singaporeans have such a problem with other Asian foreigners coming into their country, then the future of an EU style government for the ASEAN region is not even on the table
Here's the big difference between Europeans and Asians. Most Europeans have no problem co-identifying with a pan-European identity marker. Yes, they identify with their country first, but they also frequently refer to themselves as European, too. Brits are the only exception to the rule inside the EU where many still insist they are not European. The mainland EU countries see themselves as European, alongside of their national identity. I haven't seen that from Asians. If Singaporeans have such a problem with other Asian foreigners coming into their country, then the future of an EU style government for the ASEAN region is not even on the table
I think it depends on which 'Asians'. Something like 75% of the world is Asian.
ASEAN is basically Southeast Asian. They are a bit more cohesive than random 'Asia'.
For example, when you watch MTV in Malaysia, it's not unusual for them to put on Filipino stars or VJs and such from the Philippines. The Southeast Asian countries are a bit smaller, and closer proximity to each other. They tend to know each other better.
Thankfully 'China' or 'India' aren't part of ASEAN, as both China and India are world's to themselves. They would have little awareness or even interest with what popular in 'The Philippines' at the moment, etc.
In short, I agree with you that 'ASIA' isn't cohesive, and couldn't possibly be. Particularly with 75% of the world's population being there. However, I DO think that SOUTHEAST ASIA has a more cohesive-like potential, not unlike EU.
However, I DO think that SOUTHEAST ASIA has a more cohesive-like potential, not unlike EU.
It's a tough guess. I'm not sure SE Asia as a whole is all that cohesive though, at least at the present time. It's possible that down the road some SE Asian countries could unite somewhat like the European model, but it's hard to say. However, the Asean Games does seem to be one area where unification seems to be strong. With regard to Thailand, I'd be surprised if it would be willing to open all the borders for free, unlimited passage from other SE Asian countries though. My guess is that they'd likely still continue to require visas or day passes for the most part with the idea of avoiding mass immigration.
It doesn't seem implausible, but it would be at least several decades away. I would think some kind of external pressure from China and/or India could become galvanizing enough forces to compel the countries to do so.
I don't think so,at least not in a foreseeable future.
Most of the countries in SE Asia are way too politically unstable,and for many parts are still poverty-stricken.
Europe is probably the only continent in the entire world that is the most suitable for the EU model(if you count Canada and the US out) as most of the countries over there are rich and stable,but even EU nowadays has a ****load of problems,I don't think it's gonna work out for SE Asia,at all.
no. asians are too nationalistic and hate each other. Just look at some the nationals that support the red dragon on this board. They want to start world war 3. they have an inferiority complex that goes back to losing the opium war in the 19th century.
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