Suchergebnisse

This article provides a historical reconstruction of the normative dimension (principles, norms, values) of EU-ASEAN relations, with particular reference to the EU's inclination and attempts to make them an instrument for the diffusion of democracy, human rights and the European model of regional integration in Southeast Asia. Taking into consideration the normative interaction between the two organizations, fueled by particular breaches of democratic principles in Southeast Asia such as the Myanmar case, we focus on the dynamics of construction and de-construction of the EU's and ASEAN's political identity, in the framework of the evolution of the interregional relations. The evolution of asymmetry of power relations between the EU and ASEAN is particularly important in this analysis. The gradual rebalancing of power asymmetries between the two organizations, associated with the rising relevance of Southeast Asia and ASEAN on the world stage, has affected the cohesion among member states on normative issues and restricted the EU's ideational influence on the partner organization. Moreover, this process has induced the EU to adjust its policy towards ASEAN and to rethink the role of European norms in its relations with Southeast Asia.

What role should the United Nations play in a globalising world? How can it support and embody international democracy? The decline of state sovereignty, an effect of globalisation, is bringing about a crisis both in politics, as a tool to pursue the common good, and in democracy, as the key instrument by which we can control our destinies. The UN, the only organisation with broad political goals and worldwide jurisdiction, has the potential to manage globalisation democratically and promote the common good of humanity. However, it is still controlled by nation states and operates according to

Introduction. The role of parliaments and civil society in Africa's regional integration / Korwa G. Adar, Giovanni Finizio and Angela Meyer -- The Pan-African Parliament as an institution of regional integration : prospects and constraints / John Akokpari -- Sovereignty of East Africans in the balance : the role of the East African legislative assembly and the integration process of the East African Community (EAC) / Korwa G. Adar -- The parliamentarization of African regional integration : the case of the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) assembly / Linda Darkwa & Cyril Obi -- The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa's legislative assembly and its role in the regional integration process / Angela Meyer -- The role of SADC parliamentary forum in southern African integration process / Takawira Musavengana -- East African integration : a contextual analysis of the role of Tanzania's legislative assembly / Richard Bosire -- Economic Community of West African States integration : the role of Nigeria's legislative assembly / Nkwachukwu Orji -- Models, norms and self-interest towards regional integration : South African parliamentary diplomacy and the conduct of parliamentary international relations / Paul H. Bischoff -- The role of civil society in the consolidation and institutionalization of participatory democracy within the East African Community (EAC) / Joshua Kivuva -- West African integration : the role of civil society in the consolidation and institutionalisation of participatory democracy / Francis N. Ikome and David Kode -- Region building from below. Potential and challenges of civil society involvement in Central Africa's integration process / Angela Meyer -- The role of civil society in regional integration in southern Africa : patternes of inclusion and exclusion / Andreas Litsegård -- Society involvement and ownership of the African Union integration process / Giovanni Finizio -- Conclusion and recommendations / Korwa G. Adar, Giovanni Finizio and Angela Meyer