PhD Thesis Defense_Pushpanathan Sundram, Doctoral candidate in public policy on 23 DEC @3-5pm Bangkok time

School of Public Policy Chiang Mai University invites you to the PhD Defense of Mr. Pushpanathan Sundram (doctoral candidate in Public Policy), scheduled on Friday 23 December 2022 from 15:00 – 17:00 Bangkok time.

All are welcome to join the defense of the dissertation titled ‘Network Governance: A Nuanced Approach to Evaluating Policymaking and Non-State Actors’ Participation In ASEAN’. The research aims to establish an alternative framework of network governance to view and evaluate the policymaking and performance of ASEAN. Policy and social network theories were used as the basis of the research. The significant finding is that ASEAN operates as a network governance at its centre, especially in issues concerning the region’s politics and security. But calibrated interventions are possible when the problem affects the integrity of ASEAN. The role of non-state actors (NSAs) is prominent in the economic and social-cultural communities and less in the political security community, where the state actors’ position is dominant. The limited role accorded to NSAs by ASEAN impedes their potential contributions. The thesis concludes that the hybrid nature and underpinnings of ASEAN must be considered when assessing its policymaking for a more nuanced evaluation of the Association’s performance. It also exemplifies the potential for dynamic outcomes if NSAs actively participate in regional integration, provided there is convergence in agenda and mutual trust with the state actors.