The Development of the Rule of Law in ASEAN: The State and Regional Integration

Description

An interdisciplinary work that comparatively studies rule of law practices and the relationship between the rule of law and regional integration, a topic largely explored in European integration. By looking at the function of the rule of law in ASEAN rather than what it 'means' measured on normative conception, the book situates the rule of law in broader institutional and political processes in the member states and in regional relations to show the motivations of member states in adopting a peculiar type of regional architecture. It asks whether forging the rule of law in the region can help build it internally for member states. The book revisits discourses on the 'spill-over' of economic integration, the impact of globalization in reshaping the state and generating new tools of the rule of law. It makes a comprehensive comparison - the European Union, Africa Union and MERCOSUR - showing the uneven pathways to rule of law in various contexts.

Imelda Deinla is a Research Fellow at the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) at the College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra. She completed her undergraduate political science and law degrees from the University of the Philippines and postgraduate studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She is also the Project Director of the Philippines Project at the Australian National University, Canberra, which focuses on research and policy engagement on Philippine politics, economics and trade. Her research interests are law and society, legal pluralism, conflict and peacebuilding.

'The Development of the Rule of Law in ASEAN is written with analytical precision and methodological coherence. It is a model of theoretically informed empirical research. The book is truly transdisciplinary and 'seeks to explain the dynamic of rule-making in ASEAN'. The book will not only be of interest to specialists in the region but is a must for scholars and students interested in the rule of law and regional integration, as well as lawyers, political scientists and sociologists.' Adam Czarnota, University of New South Wales, Australia 'ASEAN's capacity to respond is currently tested by rule of law challenges ranging from the disputes in the South China Sea to treatment of minorities in the region. In this book, Imelda Deinla has laid out in clear and compelling fashion the principal developments and lessons of development of rule of law in ASEAN. An indispensable guide to anyone interested in understanding ASEAN.' Leena Rikkila Tamang, Director for Asia and Pacific at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Sweden 'As ASEAN moves from a consensual approach to a rule-of-law-based approach, Imelda Deinla's book is a most timely and highly penetrating analysis of the relationship between the rule of law and regional integration in ASEAN. It is a book of broad scope that will influence deeply our thinking about law and development.' Andrew Harding, National University of Singapore