THE CHANGING OF THE UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS THE EAST ASIA SUMMIT (EAS): US DECISION TO
JOIN EAS CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
East Asia Summit (EAS) is a regional forum that is held annually since 2005.
It is now a leader-led forum consisting of 18 member countries from Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, United States and Russia (ASEAN Secretariat, 2008). The history of this regional forum is started in 1991 when the Prime MenisterMinister of Malaysia ta at that time, Mahathir Mohamad proposed an idea regarding the establishment of a group consisting of East Asian countries in order to deal with emerging issues in the region in the future (Bisley, 2017). Then, this idea became a discussion among ASEAN member countries by analyzing the prospect to establish that regional forum. Each country tried to see the prospect of the forum and its lines with their national interests. ASEAN becomes the backbone and the foundation of the establishment of the East Asia Summit (Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2012).
In addition, the creation of the East Asian Summit is also associated with the ASEAN Plus Three. The ASEAN Plus Three was started in 1997 between ASEAN member countries and China, Japan and South Korea (Tanaka, 2006). The ASEAN Plus Three has initial some report and discussion on the establishment a regional forum to expand bigger cooperation in the region. Then, in 2001, a report titled
“Toward an East Asian Community: Region of Peace, Prosperity and Progress” was provided to the ASEAN Plus Three countries. The report gave a recommendation for the establishment of EAS (Tanaka, 2006). Furthermore, in 2002, an East Asian Study Group which is formed by ASEAN Plus Three countries also provided a final report
to the establishment of the EAS as a regional forum led and administered by ASEAN.
It also will be associated with the ASEAN Summit meetings (Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2002). The ASEAN has crucial position in the formation of the East Asia Summit. And therefore the annual meeting of the EAS will be held directly after the ASEAN Summit.
The conclusion to establish the EAS was reached during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit in 2004. Then, the Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three was held in Laos in July 2005 in order to determine the 16 members of the EAS (Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2004). The establishment of EAS happened in 2005 when it held the first annual meeting for the forum. Malaysia becoming the host country and the forum was conducted in Kuala Lumpur. 16 member countries attended the meeting which are; 10 ASEAN member countries, Japan, China, South Korea, India, New Zealand and Australia. During this first EAS meeting, Russia attended the forum as an observer and it also shows an interest to join the member of the forum.
The objective and principle of the EAS are clearly stated in the Declaration of Kuala Lumpur on the Establishment of EAS in 2005. It states that; “The EAS is a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. The EAS's efforts to promote community building in the region will be consistent with and reinforce the realization of the ASEAN Community. The EAS will be an open, inclusive, transparent and outward-looking forum.” (Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2012).
EAS is a leader-led forum for “dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability, and economic prosperity in East Asia.” (ASEAN Secretariat, 2021).
In addition, the EAS at its early formation has committed to focus on six areas of cooperation and they are environment and energy, natural disaster management, finance, education, global health issues and pandemic diseases, and ASEAN
Connectivity. Those areas of cooperation are supported by the Plans of Actions from the EAS (ASEAN Secretariat, 2021). Furthermore, by the development of commitment and prospect from the EAS, the forum expands its area of cooperation to be bigger. It will deal with emerging issues such as trade and economics, food security, maritime security and cooperation, and traditional and non-traditional security issues (ASEAN Secretariat, 2021).
The EAS becomes more interesting when in 2011 the United States and Russia formally became the member of the EAS (ASEAN Secretariat, 2021). It brings a new discussion on what interest this both countries join the EAS. On one side, the Russian government has shown its interest to become the member of the EAS since the first EAS Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At that time, the president of the Russia attended the summit as an observer and proposed the interest to join the member of the forum (Malik, 2006). However, on the other hand, the United States did not show any interest to join the EAS since its early formation and summits. There was no any representation from the US at the first EAS Summit (Malik, 2006). It also did not tell any interest toward the ASEAN Secretariat as the leading body that lead the EAS.
The government of Vietnam as the host of EAS in 2010 invited US and Russia to attend the EAS as guests (US Department of State, 2010). Then, during the EAS summit in Hanoi on October 2010, Hillary Clinton addressed the interest of US to join the EAS through her speech by saying “I bring greetings from President Obama. He shares my commitment to seeing the United States formally join the EAS and becoming your partners in a constructive and sustained effort to strengthen stability and prosperity throughout the region” (US Department of State, 2010).
By joining the EAS formally in 2011, the United States had made significant change on its foreign policy toward the East and South Asia. It brings new dynamic and present toward the issues happening in the region (Emmers, 2011). Furthermore, the decision of the US to join the EAS will be based on their strategic policy or interest in Asia, especially in the East and South Asia (Frost & Rann, 2006). The present of US in the EAS forum will based on strong analysis from their government to decide to be member of the forum where dominated by Southeast Asian countries.
Starting from 2011, US annually attends the EAS Summit and has roles in the policy formation or policy recommendation in the EAS forum.
1.2 Problem Identification
The position and policy of the United States toward the East Asia Summit can be seen from two different presidential administrations in the US. It is the administration of Bush and administration of Obama. Those two US presidents had significant differences to make approach or policy toward the Asian region, especially in the East and South Asia. The approach toward ASEAN from these both US presidents was different.
During the Bush administration, US did not show any interest to join the EAS. During the formation of the idea from ASEAN to establish the regional forum that later called EAS, the US did not made any big effort to communicate with the ASEAN. At the same time the ASEAN also did not show big interest to bring in US into the forum in 2005. According to the Ralf Emmers from RSIS Singapore, US was not invited by ASEAN to attend the first EAS in Kuala Lumpur in 2005. At the same position Use did not see this forum will be crucial for US during that time. Actually, the position and decision of the US at that time was influenced by President Bush administration that repeatedly mentioned US preference for flexibility and mobility over formal and institutionalized arrangements (Emmers, 2011). US has preference for not legally binding on new forum or institution in order to make easier and faster move from the US government over certain issue. It will help US to be easy to put its position over certain issue without considering further position of formal and regional institution or forum. A clear example can be seen from the inactive involvement of the US in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, did not attend ARF meetings in 2005 and 2007 (Emmers, 2011).
When Obama started the US administration, the US brought new interest and expectation toward the East Asian regionalism managed by the ASEAN. New approach toward ASEAN countries was done by the US. During the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the US conducted meetings with the ASEAN countries leaders. It also happened during the United Nations General Assembly in 2009 and 2010 (Emmers, 2011). Furthermore, in July 2009, presidentPresident Obama acceded the ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) through the presidential decree. This is the starting point for the US government to open the door to become the member of the EAS (Emmers, 2011). In addition, the role of the China and Russia in the region should be anticipated by the US and one of the best options is through US roles in EAS forum (Onishi, 2018). Influencing and supporting ASEAN countries or other East and South Asian countries will be important for US to balance the increasing role of China in the region. So, there are many US interests and reasons behind the US decision to join EAS. This thesis seeks to explore and assess the factors influencing the US decision to join the EAS in the Obama administration.
1.3 Research Question
This research will have a research question that becomes the question that will be explored and analyzed in this research. The research question of this research is mentioned below;
Why did the United States of America Join the East Asia SummitWhat factors influenced the United States to join the East Asia Summit in the Obama administration?
1.4 Research Objective
This research will need a research objective that will encompass the flow of the research. It also will help the research to have a clear focus and guideline.
Therefore, theThe research objective of this research is to explore and analyses the reasons and interests from the United States through its decision to join the East Asia Summit. It will see why US changed its foreign policy toward EAS from 2009 to 2011 during Obama administration.
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Research
The scope and limitation of a research will be very important and crucial in order to help the author to have clear guidelines in doing the research. So, tThe scope and limitation of this research will be based on the changes of US foreign policy toward EAS. It will focus on the decision of the US to join the EAS formally in 2011.
In addition it will also see the changes of US policy since 2009 when US express their interest toward ASEAN and EAS, as well as 2010 when US Secretary of State attended the EAS and wanted to formally join the forum. So, this research time frame will focus from 2009 to 2011, but it also provide some further information regarding previous years condition related to US position toward EAS.
1.6 Theoretical Framework
1.6.1 Foreign Policy
The development of internalization has driven many actors to concern more on the strategies to achieve their national interests. The national interest or commonly also called as domestic interest is the primary purpose of a government of state. The most crucial function from a state government is to fulfill their national interest through their strategies inside and outside the country. The policy used by a government in order to pursue their national interest at the international level is commonly called foreign policy. Foreign policy of a state is determined by the domestic circumstance and dynamic of that state (Hill, 2003). It is a policy of state government that is applied at the international level toward foreign objects or entities outside the state.
In International Relations, there are many interpretations about the definition of foreign policy. Charles Hermann has associated the foreign policy with the state behavior toward the dynamic or reaction to foreign actors. Herman said that foreign policy is “the discrete purposeful action that results from the political level decision of an individual or group of individuals. It is the observable artifact of a political level decision. It is not the decision, but a product of the decision.” (Hermann &
Margaret G. Hermann, 1989). It is strongly related to the behavior or action taken by a policy maker from a state in order to produce certain decision as the product of the foreign policy.
Furthermore, George Modelski puts another definition about foreign policy where he stated that “foreign policy is the system of activities evolved by communities for changing the behaviourbehavior of other states and for adjusting their own activities to the international environment” (Dinesh, 2016). Modelski puts strong focus on seeing the foreign policy as a big activity system that structures the formation of decision toward foreign actors.
On the other hand, Padelford and Lincoln provide explanation that “a state’s foreign policy is totality of its dealings with the external environment. Foreign Policy is the overall result of the process by which a state translates its broadly conceived goals and interests into specific courses of action in order to achieve its objectives and preserve its interests.” (Padelford & Lincoln, 1997). The idea is to see the government of state will organize or formulate the strategies on how they see foreign environment outside the country. It focuses to see and understand the situation at the international environment before the state implements the decision based on the national or domestic interests.
Domestic environment plays huge role in influencing the characteristic of the foreign policy from every state. Determination of national or domestic interests from the state government will let the government of that country to formulate the best appropriate foreign policy decisions toward foreign actors. Each country will have different background, history and condition that become strong elements that influence the policy maker in making the foreign policy decision. According to Alieu S. Bojang, Countries differ in size, socioeconomic development and political regime.
They also differ in their political institutionalization and societal structures, military and economic capabilities, and strategic cultures (Bojang, 2018). Furthermore, Kissinger also argues that “the domestic structure is not irrelevant in any historical period. At a minimum, it determines the amount of social effect which can be devoted to foreign policy” (Bojang, 2018). The behavior of state like the United States regarding its foreign policy toward the East Asia Summit will be based on their domestic interests. Those domestic interests of the US to join EAS cannot be separated from the domestic environment or dynamics inside the country. At this point, the Obama administration has roles in determining or translating the domestic interest or circumstances into foreign policy decisions.
1.6.2 Neoliberalism
Neoliberalism has become a very famous theory that focuses not only to promote wide market liberalization, but also to promote the function of institutions in influencing the behavior of state or in achieving the objective of the state (Newmann, 2017). The geopolitical development in the 21st century has brought the role of neoliberalism to be practiced in wide aspects and fields and almost by all countries and actors. The development of global economy and international interaction has driven the practice of neoliberalism to be crucial for many countries in achieving their domestic interests. Actually this theory was becoming popular since 1970s when scholars and policy makers dominated the idea in both thoughts and practices (Harvey, 2005). However, the term was raised long before it, and according to George Monbiot, the neoliberalism was mentioned strongly in a meeting in Paris in 1983. That meeting was attended by Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises who later known as famous scholars of neoliberalism. In addition, David Harvey stated that neoliberalism was popular as well in US during 1970s energy crisis (Monbiot, 2016).
Daniel Stedman Jones in his book Masters of the Universe: Hayek, Friedman, and the Birth of Neoliberal Politics, stated that the neoliberalism was adopted massively by the international institutions like the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) in the 1980s and it brought huge effect on the spread of neoliberal reform globally (Jones, 2012). It also becomes of promotion of this idea toward other international institutions that are now commonly adopted by many international or regional institutions and forums. The way of the World Bank and IMF imposed the idea of neoliberal policies is through the loans provided to the country or actor that need the loan. In order to get the loans from those international institutions, the developing or crisis-wracked countries have to accept to institutional reforms, including trade liberalization, opening more space for private business, privatization, and minimize the government spending (Harvey, 2005). In addition, the European Union is also considered as a neoliberal organization that promotes the idea of neoliberalism through free trade, freedom of movement, and collective political interest (Jacotine, 2017).
Robert O. Keohane argues that cooperation is not an easy feat and can lead to tension, but states could potentially benefit from cooperative strategies (Keohane, 1984). The decision of a certain government to join an international institution or regional forum will provide wider room for cooperation and communication. The United States decision to join the member of the East Asia Summit as regional forum may open the door wider for United States to discuss its national interest and to build wider cooperation with other countries in the East Asia Summit. The neoliberalism gives emphasize on the idea of mutual wins. So, it can use international institution or forum to arrange and compromise the interests with other actor members to propose mutual benefits (Keohane, 1984).
Globalization represents an increase in interconnectedness and linkages; this mutual interdependence between states positively affects behavioural patterns and changes the way states cooperate (Keohane and Nye, 2001). The dynamics and the circumstances happening inside and outside the country will influence the way of the state government in making cooperation and interaction with foreign actors outside the country. The recent vast and fast global development and globalization have contributed toward the behavior and character of a state in interacting with foreign actors. The behavior of United States in deciding to join the East Asia Summit may be related toward the circumstances and environment conditions in East Asia where
there is the present of China in the region as well as the present of Russia in the East Asia Summit forum.
1.7 Research Methodology
This research will use qualitative research methodology as its methodology in doing the research. The qualitative method is the most suitable method to be used for this research. Qualitative methodology is very common for the social phenomenon issue like this research topic. In addition, the qualitative methodology is mostly used by researcher to analyze the issue that deal with lees of number or less statistical data.
It becomes instrument to analyze the behavior and character of individual or other actors in making policy or deciding something. The changes of US foreign policy toward the EAS can be seen from the US decision to join the EAS and it will be analyzed through the qualitative methodology. The qualitative research "refers to the meanings, concepts, definitions, characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and description of things" and not to their "counts or measures" (Babbie, 2014).
In processing this research, the sources of data will come from several important research instruments that provide data related to the topic of the research.
This research is going to use data and information from internet sources that come from government official data as well as from independent research institutions and individuals. Furthermore, the data collection process will be done through the availability of data and information from official report and publication, news, research paper form individual or independent institution, books, and other internet sources that provided information related to the topic of research. Those data will be used to provide the best outcomes to answer the research question.
1.8 Structure of the Research
This research will have 5 chapters in its structure that will help the flow of the research discussion. All of these chapters will have important purposes and function
in order to deliver information, data, theories and analysis about the US foreign policy toward the East Asia Summit. All of these chapters in this thesis are mentioned below;
Chapter I: Introduction
In this chapter, the information about the background information regarding the thesis topic will be elaborated and explained to the readers. This chapter will have several sections such as background information, problem identification, research question, research objective, scope and limitation, theories, research methodology, and structure of the thesis. Those sections will become the foundation that will help the flow of the research.
Chapter II: The Overview of East Asia Summit
This chapter will explain about overview of the East Asia Summit as an entity that becomes the core of discussion in this thesis. Explaining about EAS is very crucial and important for this research because it will help the readers to understand this regional forum and its function.
Chapter III: US Position/Policy toward EAS under President George W. Bush
This chapter will open the explanation about the policy and position of the US government toward the establishment of EAS. It will show the information related to US response to EAS and ASEAN during the early establishment of East Asia Summit. It also explains about how US sees ASEAN and its region during Bush administration.
Chapter IV: The US Interests and Reasons to Join East Asia Summit
This chapter will be the most important chapter in this thesis because it will analyze and find the finding of the research. It will answer the research question of this thesis. This chapter will explain about the interest of the US to join the EAS. It explains and informs the information and data regarding the reasons that become the foundation for Obama administration to change US foreign policy toward EAS by joining the forum.
Chapter V: Conclusion
This chapter is the final chapter of the thesis. It will conclude the finding of the research. It will state final conclusion of research finding based on the research question of the research.
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