Comparative Analysis of Regional Integration Mechanisms in the EU and ASEAN: A Study of EU and ASEAN's Pathways towards Regional Integration

Abstract

This research undertakes a longitudinal comparison between the EU and ASEAN, investigating the political, economic, and social policies that shape their respective regional integration.The EU is commonly perceived as a paradigm of regional integration, whereas ASEAN is frequently scrutinized through the lens of cooperation theories due to its reliance on informal structures. Therefore, the aim of this investigation is to ascertain how the EU's mechanisms of integration either convergeordiverge from those of ASEAN. Subsequently, the research reveals that the EU's advanced integration stems from its fundamental principles, solid institutions, and continuous policy assessment. In contrast, ASEAN's more modest integration is largely due to its non-interference norm and MS’ preference for sovereignty, impacting its institutional design and policy implementation pace. Lastly, it concludes that the EU's regional integration mechanisms do not match ASEAN's, considering political, economic, and social policies, suggesting the need for a distinct model to comprehend and steer ASEAN's integration trajectory.