Final answer:
ASEAN initially concentrated on economic cooperation and resisting communism, aiming to secure regional development and peace in Southeast Asia. Its expansion and success mirrored the development of the East Asian Tigers, with aspirations for EU-style integration by the early 2000s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Association of South East Asian Nations:
Initially, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) focused on economic cooperation and preventing the spread of communism in the region. Founded in the 1960s by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, ASEAN aimed to promote regional development and strengthen economic ties among member countries.
The success of ASEAN led to its expansion in the 1980s and 1990s, eventually advocating for EU-style integration by the early 2000s. This emphasis on economic collaboration provided a bulwark against communist influence during a critical period of Cold War tensions in Southeast Asia. ASEAN's establishment was part of a broader effort to ensure peace and stability in Southeast Asia.