Regionalism
NAME: OBUBO ADORA
PROGRAMME: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MATRIC NO: 09AH09247
COURSE CODE: IRL 324
LECTURER: DR SHERIFF FOLARIN
IN WHAT CONTEXT IS REGIONALISM THE APPROPRIATE FRAMEWORK IN POLITICAL ANALYSIS? Historically, most states have been concerned primarily with the capabilities and intentions of their neighbors. This consequently consolidates one of the most striking facts about modern global political system – it is strongly organized on regional basis. Taking into consideration the current focus on globalization, many indicators of globalization (for example, trade, foreign direct investment, international institutions) are directed towards regional partners. For instance, in Western Europe, imports and exports increasingly have an origin and destination within the same area, and much the same can be said for North America and East Asia. Interdependence and interconnectedness are very salient and pervasive features in our world today. These two features have encouraged the rise and ascendancy of regionalism as a global phenomenon in world politics of contemporary times. Regional blocs have risen in scope (number) and diversity (areas covered) since the end of the Cold War era. Regionalism is a widespread phenomenon that transpires in almost every part of the world. Currently, almost every member of the World Trade Organization is a member of at least one such arrangement. Regions, like nations can be created and destroyed. Northeast Asia is more of a region today than it was thirty years ago, in large part due to the powerful role of Japan and South Korea in stimulating economic growth in the region (Choi and Caporaso, 2010: 480). | In the conduct of political analysis, regionalism entails the comparison of one region to another, one state with another within a region or across regions. A region, according to Encarta Dictionaries can thus be defined: ‘as a large land area that has geographic, political or cultural characteristics that distinguish
PROGRAMME: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MATRIC NO: 09AH09247
COURSE CODE: IRL 324
LECTURER: DR SHERIFF FOLARIN
IN WHAT CONTEXT IS REGIONALISM THE APPROPRIATE FRAMEWORK IN POLITICAL ANALYSIS? Historically, most states have been concerned primarily with the capabilities and intentions of their neighbors. This consequently consolidates one of the most striking facts about modern global political system – it is strongly organized on regional basis. Taking into consideration the current focus on globalization, many indicators of globalization (for example, trade, foreign direct investment, international institutions) are directed towards regional partners. For instance, in Western Europe, imports and exports increasingly have an origin and destination within the same area, and much the same can be said for North America and East Asia. Interdependence and interconnectedness are very salient and pervasive features in our world today. These two features have encouraged the rise and ascendancy of regionalism as a global phenomenon in world politics of contemporary times. Regional blocs have risen in scope (number) and diversity (areas covered) since the end of the Cold War era. Regionalism is a widespread phenomenon that transpires in almost every part of the world. Currently, almost every member of the World Trade Organization is a member of at least one such arrangement. Regions, like nations can be created and destroyed. Northeast Asia is more of a region today than it was thirty years ago, in large part due to the powerful role of Japan and South Korea in stimulating economic growth in the region (Choi and Caporaso, 2010: 480). | In the conduct of political analysis, regionalism entails the comparison of one region to another, one state with another within a region or across regions. A region, according to Encarta Dictionaries can thus be defined: ‘as a large land area that has geographic, political or cultural characteristics that distinguish
References: Alagappa, Mutiah (1995) ‘Regionalism and Conflict Management: A Framework Analysis’, Review of International Studies, Vol 21 (4): pp 359 -387. Buzan, Barry and Weaver, Ole (2003) The Structure of International Security: Regions and Powers. Cambridge: Cambridge University press. Choi, Yong J. and Caporaso, James A. (2010) ‘Comparative Regionalism’ In Carlsnaes Walter, Thomas R. and Simmons Beth (eds), Handbook of International Relations. London: Sage publications. Duncan, W. R., Barbara, J. W. & Switky, B. (2006) World politics in the 21st century. New Hampshire: Pearsons Inc. Toft, Peter (2005) John J. Mearsheimer: An Offensive Realist between Geopolitics and Power. Journal of International Relations and Development Vol 8 (4): pp 381- 408.