Our institute’s researcher, Anikó Magasházi‘s brand new chapter was released, written with the contribution of Timothy Yaw Acheampong. The chapter’s title is Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and it is part of a book, titled The Economics of Regional Integration edited by Sándor Gyula Nagy and published by Routledge in 2025.

Abstract

This chapter presents an in-depth analysis of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has sought to integrate very heterogeneous countries in terms of their political systems and economic development. Culture and identity and unique institutional features impacted the evolution of ASEAN. Its dependence on global markets and investors has created an ASEAN-centred network structure allowing also their large neighbours in rivalry – China, Japan, and Republic of Korea – to engage in cooperation. The integration level among the ASEAN member states in 1991–2019 is analysed through the development of a novel composite indicator, comprising 13 sub-indicators. This approach provides a holistic assessment of regional integration, extending beyond traditional metrics to include social and political dimensions. The findings highlight that governance and economic well-being indicators, comprising the Corruption Perception Index, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita PPP, HDI, and government debt had the highest combined weight highlighting the critical role of these factors in the region’s integration. Lower-performing countries face challenges related to governance deficits, weaker economic performance, and lower human development levels. By pinpointing critical areas for improvement across ASEAN member states, this chapter contributes to the ongoing discourse on regional integration and offers valuable insights for policymakers striving to enhance the collective development of the region.

The book can be bought on the publisher’s website.