ASEAN's Decision-making: Its Pattern And Relevant Factors

ASEAN regionalism has been undergoing fundamental changes,one prominent phenomenon of which is its transition from "elite-centered regionalism" to "participatory regionalism".These changes require ASEAN to perform well on regional governance.However,the institutions of ASEAN are lagged behind and of low efficiency,which are criticized widely and increase doubts about its relevance. The main question of this research is,whether the relevance of ASEAN will diminish in the 21^st century?This research tries to answer this question by analyzing the change of ASEAN's decision making.This research argues that the changes on international,regional and domestic levels have enlarged the actors of ASEAN,enriched the themes of ASEAN decision-making,and ASEAN is experiencing changes from elite-centric decision-making to institutional,even legalized decision-making,which has constructed the system of ASEAN decision-making.However,on the other hand, ASEAN decision-making system is confronted with great pressures for deep institutionalization,which has promoted ASEAN leaders to consider the institutional transformation in a strategic way.Therefore,it can be predicted that,though with slow progress,ASEAN will endeavor to promote its transformation,which is also the main determinant of its relevance.This research can make for good understanding of the inner logic of regional organizations,rationality of decision-making and preferences of decision makers.It can be also helpful for observing how regional organizations make policies,and this research intends to conclude with implications for China's diplomacy with regional organizations.