‘(Non-)Intervention is always for someone and for some purpose’: a critical theory analysis on the principle of non-interference within ASEAN

Treball fi de màster de: Master’s in International Relations. Curs 2019-2020Despite its centrality for the organisation, the approach of ASEAN member states towards the Principle of Non-Interference has not been consistent ever since the foundation in 1967. So far, the existing scholarship has not been able to provide a comprehensive explanation for the complex reality surrounding the exercise and uses of non-interference. Acknowledging this, the paper first aims at understanding the weaknesses of existing theoretical approaches and why they differ so strongly. The main reasons identified are their ontological and epistemological assumptions that lead them to misunderstand the Principle as a static concept. Subsequently, drawing on ideas of Strydom (2011) and Cox (2012) contemporary Critical Theory is tested as an alternative to the existing approaches in the context of a plausibility probe using the case of Myanmar between 2007 and 2020. The meta-level application of contemporary CT reveals that the pathologies concerning the realisation of the sociopractical idea of sovereignty are the consequence of a disregard for the duality of sovereignty and actions beyond the official state level. Meanwhile, the identification of those is considered to contain the potential for transforming this realisation of the socio-practical idea of sovereignty. Both factors seemingly have been given rise by a complex mechanism shaped by implicit socio-cultural background assumptions, historically developed pragmatism, and capitalism. Based on these findings, it is argued that contemporary CT might be better suited than existing approaches to account for the complex reality surrounding the Principle and a full-scale application is suggested for future research