Understanding ASEAN’s approach to sanctions against norm breakers

Regional organisations (ROs) increasingly act as promoters of democracy by applying sanctions against members who do not comply with collectively agreed norms. Despite the absence an official policy, Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) does interfere in certain ways into member states’ internal issues some cases norm violations. This study empirically explores how and why ASEAN decides to or such situations. The findings derived from case studies on Cambodia Myanmar, drawing evidence documents, media, interview data reveal novel insights regionalism context non-compliant behaviour. I argue that informal approach provides a lot room for discretion responding members’ article identifies geopolitical preferences, extra-regional interference, legitimation explanatory factors RO’s varying punitive actions.