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This article provides an overview of the macroeconomic challenges facing the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It discusses various macroeconomic indicators and the importance of achieving high levels of economic growth. The article also explores ASEAN's participation in Regional Value Chains (RVCs) and Global Value Chains (GVCs), particularly in the automotive and electronics industries. It examines the adoption of inflation targeting frameworks by ASEAN countries and evaluates their macroeconomic performance. The text further analyzes the fiscal sustainability of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, providing policy recommendations to enhance revenue collection and reduce subsidies. It also discusses the challenges faced by Vietnam's economy and suggests policy measures to overcome them. The article touches on economic issues in Cambodia and Laos, including technology spillovers, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) implementation, and financial system reform. The perspectives presented offer insights into these countries' economic situations and potential policy measures. [Extracted from the article]

This paper examines the macroeconomic and development policies to spur economic integration and growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It reviews how economic transformation and integration have fueled growth and job creation in the region. ASEAN's increased participation in global and regional value chains, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) as a regional hub, laid the solid foundation of regional production networks. However, with the changing role of the PRC in global value chains, the region needs to renew policy initiatives to address the development challenges and seize new growth opportunities with its single market goals. The analysis suggests the region requires strategic plans for infrastructure development, digitalization, and greater integration reinforced by the removal of trade barriers, increased labor mobility, and foreign direct investment mobilization. The region's successful future also depends on cooperative policy efforts around developing e‐government and digital value chains, strengthening micro‐, small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises and startups, and building smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an accessible overview of the current state of ASEAN, focusing on trade integration and the role of regional and global value chains, with particular attention to China. The ASEAN economies have generally performed well and have benefited from technological and policy advances, as well as their proximity to China. The article discusses the deepening of regional integration, particularly in sectors such as electronics and automotive. It also highlights the policy challenges that ASEAN faces, including the need for enforcing commitments and addressing collective action problems. The article raises questions about the adequacy of ASEAN's model and the role of regional commitments, while acknowledging the potential impact of national-level reforms and exposure to other countries' experiences. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the economic integration and growth within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the challenges and opportunities it faces. It highlights the role of China in ASEAN's trade and the progress of global and regional value chains in the region. The article also emphasizes the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) in driving economic growth in ASEAN, particularly from East Asian economies. It suggests policy recommendations for sustaining growth and integration, including infrastructure development, digitalization, and liberalization of services trade. The article concludes by mentioning the potential impacts of the US-China trade and technology disputes on ASEAN and the need for further research on growth drivers and convergence among ASEAN member states. [Extracted from the article]

This paper investigates the effects on and responses of five middle‐income Southeast Asian economies to the current global environment of authoritarian populism, the retreat from economic liberalism, and the appeal of anti‐globalization movements. While the political histories and institutional capabilities of the five – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – vary greatly, these economies have a history of at least moderately fast economic growth for extended periods, and of increasing regional and global economic integration. We argue that most of the factors behind the discontent with globalization in the rich economies are not present to the same degree in these countries, and that there has therefore been no major retreat from the economic policy settings that have underpinned their past economic success. However, there are no grounds for complacency. Economic growth is slowing in some of the countries, economic insecurity remains widespread, and the development of durable independent institutions has lagged economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, we discuss three unintended consequences of European Integration; the division between the pro‐ and anti‐integrationists, doubts on the benefits of the free movements and the burden of the welfare state. Since 2017, Europe has regained confidence and optimism has returned due to sustained economic recovery and election victories of prointegration politicians, most notably in France. The European Union is embarking on co‐operation in defense and security, providing a new reason to support integration. Uncertainty over Brexit and immigration remain among the causes for grave concern. But Europe and Japan have taken a joint stance against protectionism, while Asia is yet to decide whether to do so as an integrated entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The USA and Asia have an enormous stake in each others' continuing prosperity. This outcome is linked to the preservation of the open international economic order, which in turn faces challenges at both the interstate diplomatic level and at the domestic political level. The global financial crisis is probably the worst since the Great Depression and the domestic politics makes it increasingly difficult to formulate a constructive trade policy. In the absence of adequate reform at the global level, the alternative could be further fragmentation into competing regional blocs. Asia holds the key, combining both dissatisfaction with existing global arrangements with the resources to reconstitute, at least at the regional level, an alternative set of institutions and practices. How Asia responds, acting to strengthen reformed global institutions or undermine them in favor of regional alternatives, will partly depend on the policies of the dominant global power, the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares US and Asian views of the international economic architecture including Asia's evolving regional institutions. Lessons from the global financial crisis are used to assess reforms of the financial institutions better to prevent and manage future crises. While G-20 leaders have increased the resources of the International Monetary Fund, much work remains to restore its legitimacy and independence and to define clearly the Financial Stability Board's mandate to strengthen financial oversight and regulation. The paper critiques proposals for a global super-regulator and concludes that while the global architecture is important, the tests of its success will be fewer government actions to self-insure and the willingness to heed warnings of future problems and take timely corrective actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflect on the institutional framework of the economy of the U.S. and East Asia. They argue that in the setting of domestic political infighting over the reform for health care, the economic policy of U.S. President Barack Obama's administration could reflect tactical and not strategic conditions. A summary of the papers presented at the Eighth Asian Economic Policy Review Conference is also provided.

Keywords: F02; F60; H12; Z18 EN F02 F60 H12 Z18 210 211 2 07/03/20 20200701 NES 200701 Basri and Hill ([1]) ask the question whether the recent global trend of authoritarian populism has influenced Southeast Asian countries. If the authoritarian populism in the advanced countries is triggered by stagnant growth, unemployment, and social discontent with globalization, then an easy explanation is that the Southeast Asian countries do not have those socio-economic conditions. In Basri and Hill ([1]), authoritarian and populism are mentioned in one breath. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: F02; F60; H12; Z18 EN F02 F60 H12 Z18 212 213 2 07/03/20 20200701 NES 200701 In recent years, one can see the emergence of a radically different economic policy paradigm, whose key characteristics include a rise of illiberalism, anti-globalization movements, populism, economic nationalism and the emergence of democratically elected authoritarian leaders, particularly President Donald Trump. It was the first time ever in Thailand that a political party had come close to winning an absolute majority in a national election, and with support from a number of other parties, Thaksin formed a government with a two thirds majority. Using his business marketing experience, Thaksin's populist policy platform was clearly spelt out, and the electorate knew exactly what they were going to get: 30 Baht per visit health care for all, a three-year debt moratorium for farmers, and one million baht per village revolving fund, among others. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: F02; F60; H12; Z18 EN F02 F60 H12 Z18 235 236 2 07/03/20 20200701 NES 200701 Basri and Hill ([1]) summarize Indonesia's trajectory over two decades, from the Soeharto era to the democratic era, regarding economic policy-making. Although the current account deficit has become a tough challenge, a stable and manageable inflation rate and declining unemployment and poverty rates provide stability in Indonesia's economy. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers comments on a paper "Instability in Europe and Its Impact on Asia" by Kaji. It mentions about dilemmas driven by European integration on such as growing anti-integration sentiments and BREXIT, skepticism about the benefits of the free markets, and protection of incumbents vis-a-vis nonregular workers in the process of promoting the welfare state. It also mentions about maintenance of international economic integration.

The article offers comments on a paper "Instability in Europe and Its Impact on Asia" by Kaji. It mentions about impact of European integration on growing anti-integrationist movements and Brexit; skepticism about the benefits of the free movements, and burden of the welfare state impacting social exclusion and populism movements of unemployed workers. It also mentions about maintenance of international economic integration.

The article reviews the article "Window of Opportunity Opens: Asian and American Views of the International Economic Architecture," by Wendy Dobson, which appeared in the "Asian Economic Policy Review," Volume 4, Number 2, in December 2009.

The article reviews the article "American Economic Relations with Asia," by Marcus Noland, which appeared in the "Asian Economic Policy Review," Volume 4 Number 2, in December 2009.

The article reviews the article "American Economic Relations with Asia," by Marcus Noland, which appeared in the "Asian Economic Policy Review," Volume 4 Number 2, in December 2009.

The article reviews the article "Window of Opportunity Opens: Asian and American Views of the International Economic Architecture," by Wendy Dobson, which appeared in the "Asian Economic Policy Review," Volume 4, Number 2, in December 2009.