ASEAN and conflict management: The formative years of 1967–1976

Abstract

Conflict management involves the processes of conflict avoidance, prevention, settlement, and resolution. Good conflict management, however, entails the management or prevention of conflict from the outset, before it can become manifest or violent. This preventive exercise involves parties to conflict realising the ‘cost’ of violent conflict and the benefits of peaceful settlement. The formation of ASEAN in 1967 can be seen as an attempt to institutionalise the processes of conflict management by creating interdependence between its members and reinforcing the values of maintaining peaceful and cooperative relations. This is critical for peaceful relations between the countries especially after the turbulent period prior to the formation of ASEAN. This formative period (1967–1976) was important because it was during this time that the member states began to experiment with different ways of relating to each other and created a durable organisation based on common objectives and perspectives.