This book is a forthright scrutiny of ASEAN by academics and diplomatic practitioners. The chapters examine various dimensions of ASEAN, namely: economic performance using a particular methodology to gauge such performance of the member-countries; civil society engagement with ASEAN; the political power relations and dynamics within ASEAN; the so-called regional identity as a caring and sharing community; the ASEAN bureaucracy and secretariat; and the characterization and dilemmas of ASEAN as a regional association.