Final answer:
ASEAN concentrated initially on economic cooperation and development to counter the spread of communism, leading to the impressive growth of member economies like the East Asian Tigers. It has expanded over time to include more countries and to advocate for regional integration similar to the EU.
Step-by-step explanation:
Initially, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) focused on fostering economic cooperation to spur regional development and to provide a bulwark against the spread of communism in Asia during the 1960s. This alliance included foundational members Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, and was instrumental in driving the economic and political collaboration within Southeast Asia. Over the decades, ASEAN expanded to include more countries and advocated for increased integration, in a manner similar to the European Union, to enhance its collective strength and influence.
In the context of the Southeast Asia region, ASEAN's significance cannot be overstated. It has been a vital player in promoting economic growth and maintaining peace. The initial focus on economic cooperation has paid dividends, as exemplified by the impressive growth of the East Asian Tigers - Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea - which experienced rapid export-led industrialization from the early 1960s to the 1990s. These nations have successfully used this model to converge with the technological leaders of high-income countries, thus raising their global economic status.