Europe and Southeast Asia: ASEAN-EU Interregionalism between Pluralist and Solidarist Societies

This article examines ASEAN-EU relations using the framework of international society of the English School. Specifically, it attempts to examine the utility of pluralist and solidarist conceptions of international society in understanding the nature and dynamics of ASEAN-EU relations and the ASEM process. It argues that interregional relations between ASEAN and the EU have for the most part been determined by their identities as pluralist and solidarist societies, respectively, which is clearly manifested in their different perspectives and approaches on political, economic, and security issues. The EU is primarily considered a strategic partner of ASEAN in the latter’s attempt to balance its relations with other external powers, particularly in dealing with rising power like China. However, their partnership remains narrow and shallow even as the EU is perceived mainly as a donor to ASEAN’s socioeconomic development goals.