It also threatened to divide the grouping itself, undermining its treasured cohesion. It had better do so if it wants the benefits of acceptance by its neighbors. Its goal is to form a 10-nation grouping that would unite Southeast Asia and extend the benefits of freer trade and economic relations to all members. History shows that economic interdictions in themselves rarely succeed in compelling authoritarian regimes to adopt democracy. Isolated by choice since the early 1960s, Myanmar has long become used to living without the approbation of others.
Political freedom is certainly an important criterion of human well-being.
But it is not the sole, or necessarily the most important, priority for developing countries. Other factors, including economic growth and the people's livelihood, must also be weighed in any responsible assessment of the overall national interest. Besides, across Asia, from South Korea and Taiwan to China, foreign trade and investment have proven the most effective tools to prize open and ultimately liberalize authoritarian nations. The grouping was set up in 1967 to further economic development and cordial relations among Southeast Asian countries. In short, the association has no grounds for excluding Myanmar simply because the government in Yangon is authoritarian.