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Regional Organizations Prof. Philip Yang National Taiwan University. Regionalism.
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Regional OrganizationsProf. Philip YangNational Taiwan University
Regionalism • Regionalism is seen as “a process-oriented concept that encompasses different phenomena happening at the various stages of its formation. These include regionalization which is often market-driven, follow by emergence of regional consciousness, and then deliberate regional inter-state cooperation leading to regional integration. Regionalism is therefore not only a geographical concept but a dynamic process encompassing a concentration of economic, political and socio-cultural linkages.”
Regionalism vs. Globalism • Regionalism often put forward as an alternative to globalism • Globalism: a tendency towards a global social system, programmatic globalization, the vision of a borderless world, the end of geography • Regionalism: the world is large and heterogeneous; therefore a regional approach more productive, common culture and problems
Regionalism or Regionalization • Regionalism is created "from above“: often created by regional governments through the establishment of regional IGOs. • Regionalization is a “bottom-up” process, a more spontaneous process from within the regions led by economic investments and societal exchanges.
Open Regionalism • Open regionalism basically refers to nondiscriminatory or nonexclusive regional trading liberalization. The concept represents an effort to achieve the best of both worlds: the benefits of regional liberalization without jeopardizing the continued vitality of the multilateral system.
Major Regional IGOs Europe: • European Union (EU) • Council of Europe • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) • European Space Agency (ESA) • European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
America • Organization of American States (OAS) • North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) • Mercosur (Southern Common Market) • Andean Community • Caribbean Community (CARICOM) • Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) • Central American Parliament
Africa • African Union (Organization for African Unity) • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) • Southern African Development Community (SADC) • Conseil de l'Entente
Asia • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) • Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN, ARF, ASEAN+3) • South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) • Gulf Cooperation Council • Pacific Islands Forum
Eurasian • Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) • Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) • Eurasian Economic Community • Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)
Dark Side of Regionalism • Inward-oriented • Protectionism • Blocking stone of globalism • Opposite of global market order
Functionalism • Based on the work of David Mitrany • Habits of collaboration in functional areas eventually spill over into the political sphere. • The result is greater cooperation amongst states and the breaking down of political barriers.
Against Functionalism • Regional integration is understood as a linear process, making explanation of setbacks impossible. • States still vigorously guard their political independence. • Although functionalism is supposed to be non-normative, there is a lack of empirical data to support it.
Neorealism and Neoliberalism • Neorealism essentially identifies a global logic of anarchy and emphasizes relative gains, making regional cooperation difficult. • Neoliberalism does not deny this logic of anarchy, but emphasizes absolute gains, making cooperation possible.
A Reactionary Regionalism? • Regional initiatives are often designed to mediate and moderate external influences, so regionalism can be seen as a reaction to global problems. • For example “Asian values” can be seen as a reaction to Western modernity, and “fortress Europe” a reaction to the mass flows of people caused by globalisation.
Discussion Question • Do we need regionalism in East Asia? What are the opportunities and dangers of the developing regionalism between East Asian countries?