Forging ahead or falling behind: the state of public participation in a ‘people-centred’ ASEAN

ABSTRACT The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has historically relied upon state-centred approaches to governance. However, there have been a number of instances where ASEAN has sought to shift to, or at least signal value in, people-centred approaches to governance. Notably, there is a range of approaches within ASEAN nations towards human rights. This paper considers people-centred and public-participation initiatives in ASEAN conceptually, and analyses the potential to realize the goals contained in policy ideals as stated by ASEAN. The rhetoric of people-centrism serves more as gaslighting than real opportunity for people to impact public discourse and the region’s future.