Maslow’s Hierarchy and Acharya’s Constructivism: A Dual-Framework Analysis of ASEAN Defense Policy and Indonesia’s Leadership in the Digital Era

Abstract

ASEAN’s defense policy in the digital era demonstrates a multidimensional evolution that merges material security imperatives with the construction of shared norms and identity. Using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Acharya’s constructivist theory of a security community, this paper argues that ASEAN’s defense cooperation progresses through layered motivations—from physical survival and safety to belonging, esteem, and regional self-actualization. Through initiatives such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), ADMM-Plus, and the ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy 2021–2025, ASEAN translates traditional defense goals into a pursuit of digital resilience and normative leadership. Indonesia’s pivotal role within this framework illustrates how national leadership advances both psychological and institutional maturity in ASEAN’s collective security architecture.