Practicing Peace: Conflict Management in Southeast Asia and South America

A new approach to understanding conflict management in regional organizations reveals how the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organization of American States (OAS) navigated low-intensity border disputes. By applying practice theory to two long-standing territorial conflicts—the Preah Vihear dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, and the Cenepa conflict between Ecuador and Peru—researchers identified key strategies for maintaining peace despite simmering tensions. This study builds on established models of foreign policy decision-making, incorporating socio-psychological perspectives like prospect theory to deepen analytical frameworks. The findings highlight the role of regional organizations in mitigating crises through diplomatic practices, offering insights applicable to other conflict-prone areas.

Shigemasa, K. (2023). Practicing Peace: Conflict Management in Southeast Asia and South America. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 24(2), 357–361. https://doi.org/10.1093/irap/lcad011