Association of Southeast Asian Nations; a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia, promoting political and economic cooperation.
Acronym formed in 1967 from 'Association of Southeast Asian Nations'. Created during the Cold War as a mechanism for regional stability and cooperation, initially including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
ASEAN operates on the principle of non-interference and consensus-building called 'The ASEAN Way', which prioritizes harmony and face-saving over confrontational diplomacy. This approach reflects deeply rooted Asian cultural values about conflict resolution and has influenced international relations theory.
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