Patterns: Networks and Urban Hierarchy

Abstract

Southeast Asia can be identified most readily as the ten member nations of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand formed the original grouping in 1967 as a basis for regional political cooperation. The tiny, oil-rich enclave of Brunei joined in 1980, socialist Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) in 1997 and Cambodia in 1999. Papua New Guinea and East Timor enjoy observer status but not Australia or New Zealand. Although ASEAN is no more than a consultative forum and the level of economic cooperation is still modest, Southeast Asia has at last established a common political identity.