Question

Difficulty: MediumInstitutions Developing in a Globalized World

"We, the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand...

Do hereby declare the establishment of an Association for Regional Co-operation among the countries of South-East Asia to be known as the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN)....

[The Association's aims include] to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors... [and] to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law..."
— Bangkok Declaration, 1967

The establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as described in the passage, best illustrates which of the following trends in the late twentieth century?

  1. The formation of regional agreements to facilitate economic integration and geopolitical stability.Answer
  2. B
    A return to mercantilist policies aimed at establishing exclusive state control over maritime trade networks.
  3. C
    The expansion of direct colonial administration and territorial annexation in East Asia.
  4. D
    The total replacement of diverse national traditions with a single, homogenized global culture.

Answer

The formation of regional agreements to facilitate economic integration and geopolitical stability.
The correct option is correct because the Bangkok Declaration outlines the establishment of a regional alliance (ASEAN) aimed at fostering mutual economic growth, cultural development, and political stability, which reflects the broader historical trend of states establishing regional and international organizations to manage economic integration in the late twentieth century.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the provided historical source to identify the core purpose of ASEAN.
The text outlines goals such as accelerating economic growth, social progress, cultural development, and regional peace/stability.
This establishes that the institution's primary function was regional cooperation and economic/political stabilization.
2
Contextualize ASEAN within late-twentieth-century developments.
The late twentieth century was characterized by globalization and the growth of international and regional trade blocks/organizations (like the EU and NAFTA) to foster economic integration.
This connects the specific document to the broader historical trend of global and regional institutional development.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that accurately describes this trend while avoiding common misconceptions.
The choice emphasizing regional agreements for economic integration and stability aligns with the historical reality of the late twentieth century.
This completes the analysis by matching the stimulus and historical context to the correct conceptual framework.

Key Concept

The rise of regional trade agreements and international organizations to promote cooperation, stability, and economic integration in a globalized world.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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