Southeast Asia as a Latent Kingmaker in the US-China Rivalry

Abstract

Southeast Asia plays a pivotal role in the United States (US)-China rivalry, serving as a critical arena for their competing strategies to establish legitimacy. Legitimacy, defined as the recognized authority to influence regional or global systems, underpins the efforts of both powers to align their influence with Southeast Asia’s priorities. The US emphasizes liberal international norms, while China promotes state-led development and economic integration. Southeast Asia, through its geographic and economic significance, holds latent kingmaker potential, capable of shaping the global balance of power. However, fragmented national strategies limit collective influence, underscoring the unrealized potential of regional unity.

Keywords

• legitimacy
• kingmaking
• southeast asia
• us-china rivalry
• asean