European Integration: 9 Lessons for ASEAN

Abstract

The evolution of European integration to “European Union” provides many interested lessons for other international integration regions or areas.  This article accumulates perspectives from seven scholars or experts in European studies into 9 lessons: 1) versatility of integration perspectives 2) evolution of the integration have been proceeded with negotiations among their members and moved on by duration or wave- patterns 3) unstable relationship between states and community 4) aims of integration are not controlled by any parties, delivered subsequent innovative solutions 5) economic and political factors interrelated 6) high politic negotiations and negation of nationalism              7)  gradualism 8) key triggering factors and  9) leaders visions. These lesson-learned show that the processes of the integration are not easily and simple linear programs. These processes may be seen as a “live-laboratory” and durable of time-test for more than sixty years.  ASEAN has applied these well paved experiences of EU as a guideline. Even though, ASEAN and EU have not based their principle of integration in the same philosophy. However, the nine lesson-learned would project some ideas and understanding for ASEAN people to sustain their co-operations and determinations to the vision of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”