Joel Ng | University of Oxford (original) (raw)

Papers by Joel Ng

Book reviews of "Norm change in international relations: linked ecologies in UN peacekeeping oper... more Book reviews of "Norm change in international relations: linked ecologies in UN peacekeeping operations" by John Karlsrud and "Sovereignty and responsibility: power, norms and intervention in international relations" by Jeremy Moses

Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding

Hot on the heels of China’s US$1tn Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Conference earlier in May, Indi... more Hot on the heels of China’s US$1tn Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Conference earlier in May, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an equally ambitious ‘Asia-Africa Growth Corridor’ (AAGC) at the India-Africa Summit. The wooing of Africa and the range of options now available to African economies demonstrate their growing leverage on the global stage.

Africa’s regional integration represents a conundrum. With eight official regional economic commu... more Africa’s regional integration represents a conundrum. With eight official regional economic communities (RECs) that are intended to be the building blocks of the African Economic Community (AEC), it has the largest number of regional groupings of any continent. On the other hand, the impressive number of economic integration efforts is not commensurate with the level of trade in the region which remains the lowest of all regions of the world.

Africa’s decision to elect Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad to the post of AU Chairperson, took the he... more Africa’s decision to elect Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad to the post of AU Chairperson, took the headline news at this January’s AU Heads of State summit in Addis Ababa. While the Chairperson is a symbol of African unity and can drive the next chapter of Africa’s story, the substantive issues underlying regional policymaking are more significant.

16 Feb 2017

Op-ed published in Today (Singapore), 3 July 2016

Op-ed published in The Straits Times, 20 June 2016

Studies of ROs have tended to focus on Western ROs (such as the EU or NATO) or use them as benchm... more Studies of ROs have tended to focus on Western ROs (such as the EU or NATO) or use them as benchmarks in relation to Southern ROs. But several generalizable characteristics of Southern ROs depart from those of the West: (1) more ambiguous goals, which may be due to (2) greater political and cultural diversity of its members, and (3) greater resistance to hegemonies or conceding sovereignty – the post-colonial mindsets of young states. These tendencies have led to decentralized but elite-led decision-making structures in ROs. At the same time, the problems facing them are not different from others, including inter alia, conflict resolution, maintaining legitimacy, and promoting regional integration, and there are some remarkable similarities in their institutional histories.
This paper will thus look at normative dynamics in two Southern ROs – the AU and ASEAN – characterized by these features of diversity and resistance to centralization. Emerging from heterogeneous beginnings, their norms tended to differ from Western ROs because of the diverse norm circles that comprise the decision-making structures, even as they face external problems similar to other ROs. Diversity and resistance to centralization therefore make norm contestation at a fundamental level likely (e.g. whether or not to intervene, rather than how to intervene), while the stakes involved are higher as actions are precedent-setting in low institutional settings with fewer rules.
The paper will thus contribute to understanding how normative orders emerge (and when they did not) in the midst of contested normative positions, a salient question in a transforming global community.

Journal of East Asia & International Law, Oct 2012

As the ASEAN moves towards its vision of a 'Community,' enforceability and consistency of legal s... more As the ASEAN moves towards its vision of a 'Community,' enforceability and consistency of legal standards, broadly the “rule of law,” have drawn attention due to their impact on the predictability of social environments, with consequences for markets, people, and policy makers. This paper draws together recent findings and suggests ASEAN States have made significant progress but remain in a state of transition. These findings support Barry Weingast’s prediction that developing countries are more likely to create consistent rules and move to“ open access orders” in line with requirements for development, rather than install artificial enforcement mechanisms before growth.

The ASEAN Human Rights Declaration is a historic document that sets out a common framework for pr... more The ASEAN Human Rights Declaration is a historic document that sets out a common framework for protection of human rights in the region. While some clauses are controversial, the declaration represents the consensus of members with pragmatic concerns for their security.

Hillary Clinton’s visit to Africa, following the recently-concluded China-Africa Summit, is viewe... more Hillary Clinton’s visit to Africa, following the recently-concluded China-Africa Summit, is viewed as a competition for influence in Africa. However, those who criticise China’s expansion in Africa largely ignore the structural differences in economic engagement between the US and China with their African counterparts.

The process of drafting the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration has illustrated the competing tensions... more The process of drafting the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration has illustrated the competing tensions between old and new norms in ASEAN. Resolving these issues need not be a zero-sum game, and can focus on a common framework of human security.

This report explores the tensions between the human rights and security architectures of the Asso... more This report explores the tensions between the human rights and security architectures of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union when responding to crises involving wide-spread human rights abuses.

Acceptance of global norms by regional organisations is only the beginning of a long process of i... more Acceptance of global norms by regional organisations is only the beginning of a long process of institutionalisation, as cases in the African Union (AU) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) demonstrate. This is complicated where norms originate outside a regional institution, yet the opportunity for reform is now present.

A viral video produced by the non-profit group Invisible Children has had remarkable success in a... more A viral video produced by the non-profit group Invisible Children has had remarkable success in astonishingly quick fashion, and offers lessons on how to execute a viral publicity campaign. Yet the story it tells and the solutions it seeks are simplifications that may lead to bad policy decisions.

Responsibility to Protect was invoked to justify international intervention in Libya. But fundame... more Responsibility to Protect was invoked to justify international intervention in Libya. But fundamental tensions
were exposed in operationalising it since “failed” states are not necessarily weak states. Nevertheless, RtoP
requires a reframing of conceptions of sovereignty. There are implications for ASEAN.

The relationship between Africa and Asia has quietly strengthened in the past decade and is large... more The relationship between Africa and Asia has quietly strengthened in the past decade and is largely viewed as positive by both sides. Nevertheless, good governance will be a deciding factor in ensuring sustained growth.

ASEAN countries considering ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court ... more ASEAN countries considering ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court must press for commitments from the ICC that it will complement, and not supplant, local initiatives attempting to address complex issues relating to conflicts and war crimes.

This paper explores the discourse of Karamoja, a historically marginal and conflict-affected past... more This paper explores the discourse of Karamoja, a historically marginal and conflict-affected pastoralist region in Uganda, from a critical theoretical framework. It draws on Hayden White’s critique of historical discourse that deconstructs tropic devices and Giorgio Agamben’s paradigm of the state of exception as theoretical tools for its own critique of narratives depicting the problems in Karamoja.

Book reviews of "Norm change in international relations: linked ecologies in UN peacekeeping oper... more Book reviews of "Norm change in international relations: linked ecologies in UN peacekeeping operations" by John Karlsrud and "Sovereignty and responsibility: power, norms and intervention in international relations" by Jeremy Moses

Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding

Hot on the heels of China’s US$1tn Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Conference earlier in May, Indi... more Hot on the heels of China’s US$1tn Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Conference earlier in May, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an equally ambitious ‘Asia-Africa Growth Corridor’ (AAGC) at the India-Africa Summit. The wooing of Africa and the range of options now available to African economies demonstrate their growing leverage on the global stage.

Africa’s regional integration represents a conundrum. With eight official regional economic commu... more Africa’s regional integration represents a conundrum. With eight official regional economic communities (RECs) that are intended to be the building blocks of the African Economic Community (AEC), it has the largest number of regional groupings of any continent. On the other hand, the impressive number of economic integration efforts is not commensurate with the level of trade in the region which remains the lowest of all regions of the world.

Africa’s decision to elect Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad to the post of AU Chairperson, took the he... more Africa’s decision to elect Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad to the post of AU Chairperson, took the headline news at this January’s AU Heads of State summit in Addis Ababa. While the Chairperson is a symbol of African unity and can drive the next chapter of Africa’s story, the substantive issues underlying regional policymaking are more significant.

16 Feb 2017

Op-ed published in Today (Singapore), 3 July 2016

Op-ed published in The Straits Times, 20 June 2016

Studies of ROs have tended to focus on Western ROs (such as the EU or NATO) or use them as benchm... more Studies of ROs have tended to focus on Western ROs (such as the EU or NATO) or use them as benchmarks in relation to Southern ROs. But several generalizable characteristics of Southern ROs depart from those of the West: (1) more ambiguous goals, which may be due to (2) greater political and cultural diversity of its members, and (3) greater resistance to hegemonies or conceding sovereignty – the post-colonial mindsets of young states. These tendencies have led to decentralized but elite-led decision-making structures in ROs. At the same time, the problems facing them are not different from others, including inter alia, conflict resolution, maintaining legitimacy, and promoting regional integration, and there are some remarkable similarities in their institutional histories.
This paper will thus look at normative dynamics in two Southern ROs – the AU and ASEAN – characterized by these features of diversity and resistance to centralization. Emerging from heterogeneous beginnings, their norms tended to differ from Western ROs because of the diverse norm circles that comprise the decision-making structures, even as they face external problems similar to other ROs. Diversity and resistance to centralization therefore make norm contestation at a fundamental level likely (e.g. whether or not to intervene, rather than how to intervene), while the stakes involved are higher as actions are precedent-setting in low institutional settings with fewer rules.
The paper will thus contribute to understanding how normative orders emerge (and when they did not) in the midst of contested normative positions, a salient question in a transforming global community.

Journal of East Asia & International Law, Oct 2012

As the ASEAN moves towards its vision of a 'Community,' enforceability and consistency of legal s... more As the ASEAN moves towards its vision of a 'Community,' enforceability and consistency of legal standards, broadly the “rule of law,” have drawn attention due to their impact on the predictability of social environments, with consequences for markets, people, and policy makers. This paper draws together recent findings and suggests ASEAN States have made significant progress but remain in a state of transition. These findings support Barry Weingast’s prediction that developing countries are more likely to create consistent rules and move to“ open access orders” in line with requirements for development, rather than install artificial enforcement mechanisms before growth.

The ASEAN Human Rights Declaration is a historic document that sets out a common framework for pr... more The ASEAN Human Rights Declaration is a historic document that sets out a common framework for protection of human rights in the region. While some clauses are controversial, the declaration represents the consensus of members with pragmatic concerns for their security.

Hillary Clinton’s visit to Africa, following the recently-concluded China-Africa Summit, is viewe... more Hillary Clinton’s visit to Africa, following the recently-concluded China-Africa Summit, is viewed as a competition for influence in Africa. However, those who criticise China’s expansion in Africa largely ignore the structural differences in economic engagement between the US and China with their African counterparts.

The process of drafting the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration has illustrated the competing tensions... more The process of drafting the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration has illustrated the competing tensions between old and new norms in ASEAN. Resolving these issues need not be a zero-sum game, and can focus on a common framework of human security.

This report explores the tensions between the human rights and security architectures of the Asso... more This report explores the tensions between the human rights and security architectures of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union when responding to crises involving wide-spread human rights abuses.

Acceptance of global norms by regional organisations is only the beginning of a long process of i... more Acceptance of global norms by regional organisations is only the beginning of a long process of institutionalisation, as cases in the African Union (AU) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) demonstrate. This is complicated where norms originate outside a regional institution, yet the opportunity for reform is now present.

A viral video produced by the non-profit group Invisible Children has had remarkable success in a... more A viral video produced by the non-profit group Invisible Children has had remarkable success in astonishingly quick fashion, and offers lessons on how to execute a viral publicity campaign. Yet the story it tells and the solutions it seeks are simplifications that may lead to bad policy decisions.

Responsibility to Protect was invoked to justify international intervention in Libya. But fundame... more Responsibility to Protect was invoked to justify international intervention in Libya. But fundamental tensions
were exposed in operationalising it since “failed” states are not necessarily weak states. Nevertheless, RtoP
requires a reframing of conceptions of sovereignty. There are implications for ASEAN.

The relationship between Africa and Asia has quietly strengthened in the past decade and is large... more The relationship between Africa and Asia has quietly strengthened in the past decade and is largely viewed as positive by both sides. Nevertheless, good governance will be a deciding factor in ensuring sustained growth.

ASEAN countries considering ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court ... more ASEAN countries considering ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court must press for commitments from the ICC that it will complement, and not supplant, local initiatives attempting to address complex issues relating to conflicts and war crimes.

This paper explores the discourse of Karamoja, a historically marginal and conflict-affected past... more This paper explores the discourse of Karamoja, a historically marginal and conflict-affected pastoralist region in Uganda, from a critical theoretical framework. It draws on Hayden White’s critique of historical discourse that deconstructs tropic devices and Giorgio Agamben’s paradigm of the state of exception as theoretical tools for its own critique of narratives depicting the problems in Karamoja.