Regional Organisations and the Political Economy of Conflict in South and South-East Asia

This rapid literature review finds that the role of intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) in the political economy of conflict in South and Southeast Asia is highly disputed. IGOs in the region have relatively few formal powers compared to those elsewhere, leading some scholars to question their efficacy. Others, however, emphasise the importance of informal co-operation and norms not necessarily measured in formal agreements. This review considers conflict in terms of state wars, low-level border conflict, tensions and disputes with the potential to cause conflict, and non-traditional security including terrorism, serious and organised crime and the threat of climate change. It is a companion piece to a review of border conflicts and long-term conflict trends in the region (Avis, 2020). The region has seen few major conflicts since the 1970s. However, there are a number of micro-conflicts and border disputes. There is considerable tension over competing sovereignty claims over the South China Sea, intensified by the rising power of China. Patterns of defence spending demonstrate that levels of trust are low in the region. There is also significant potential for climate change to trigger conflicts. This rapid literature review finds that the role of intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) in the political economy of conflict in South and Southeast Asia is highly disputed. IGOs in the region have relatively few formal powers compared to those elsewhere, leading some scholars to question their efficacy. Others, however, emphasise the importance of informal co-operation and norms not necessarily measured in formal agreements.