Imperialism, dependent development and Asean regionalism

The countries of the ASEAN are among the fastest growing economies in the Third World. With the aim of elucidating or modifying some of the premises of the dependency theory, this paper discusses the political economy of ASEAN development and regionalism. It is suggested that this region constitutes a prime area of dependent capitalist development. Contemporary political economic relations have resulted in the entrenchment of ruling elites serving the interests of the international and local bourgeoisie at the expense of the ASEAN masses. (DÜI-Sen)