You are an economic advisor to Papua New Guinea, a prospective member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The group was founded in 1967 when the Bangkok Declaration was signed by the original five members. Since then, the membership has grown to 10. Members are expected to agree to all the treaties, declarations, and agreements of ASEAN.
There are no conditions to membership other than being located in Southeast Asia. There are no expectations regarding government, ideology, development status, or economic policy. ASEAN acknowledges the fact that there are diverse types of countries in the region.
1. Is ASEAN taking the right approach by not setting any pre-conditions to membership?
2. Why might Papua New Guinea not yet be a member of ASEAN?
3. How might membership be disadvantageous to the domestic industries in Papua New Guinea?