The Shanghai Spirit and the ASEAN Way as the Foundations of a New Regionalism

Narratives are essential for organizations and states to provide a framework their decision-making processes organizational structure bolster legitimacy by appealing shared values worldviews. These narratives will play greater role in multipolar world characterized diversity of worldviews that shape the internal external perceptions international actors. The authors compare critical forwarded Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Spirit ASEAN Way. Drawing on scientific works dedicated explicating worldview, values, norms espoused Way, use syncretic approaches show how these concepts applied narratives. is based mutual trust, benefit, quality, respect civilizations, pursuit common development. Similarly, Way non-interference, non-confrontation, non-use force, consensus-based decision-making. have notable similarities, such as an emphasis preserving sovereignty, pragmatic approach regionalism, flexible, non-binding application. Although they also significant differences, rationale behind them, different preferred means cooperation, state security versus human security. article argues unique features which promote loose combined with state-centric Westphalian contemporary system, result new form regionalism open yet preserves reinforces individual sovereignty states. In this sense, may intellectual basis relations can better respond emerging challenges world.