Semantics of Region and ASEAN

Abstract

The term ‗region‘ with its manifold semantic manifestations and attributions has become a prominent academic ambiguity in the discipline of International Relations. As viewed by John Agnew, the idea of ―geographical designation to the region‖ has become a frequent controversy among the academia. Hence regions are no longer considered as homogenized and pre-determined territorial units. Instead, now regions are mostly defined through constructive lenses by focusing on their ideational dimensions. Although numerous detailed academic inquiries from different scholarly lenses have been conducted, a systematic representation of the semantics of region is overlooked by the most of existing scholarly work in the field. Neither they are systematically arranged nor adequately ordered in a manner through which it can provide a logical understanding. Therefore semantics of region have become more scattered and complicated phenomena. Given this complexity, it seems that defining or conceptual framing of the idea of region is a challenge. What are regions? How and why regions are formed? In what sense regions can be identified? These are some of frequent questions asked by the researchers who have been deeply involved in the matter. The answers given to these questions are also multiple and competing. As a result, generally accepted consensus among academia regarding the term ‗region‘ is clearly absence. Primarily this study looks for a schematic agenda through which these semantics can be logically arranged incorporating certain models of scientific representation such as taxonomies, tabulations, matrix analysis and mapping .In doing so, both qualitative and quantitative approaches will be incorporated into the study. In line with the proposed schematic arrangement; the study intends to reveal the existing patterns of understanding to the concept while adopting the case study of ASEAN. Further it examines how the ASEAN and its different institutional and policy aspects are applicable to multiple semantic clusters of the region. Finally the study proposes a holistic and systematic framework for semantics of the region through which ASEAN can be systematically explained.