Globalization and Regionalization

Regions

• Regions are units or zones based on groups, states, or territories.
• Regions are smaller than the international system of states but larger than any individual state or non-state unit.
• Regions may be permanent or temporary and can be institutionalized or not.
• Initiatives are taken within regions without government involvement in some situations.

Globalization vs. Regionalization

• Globalization is worldwide integration along economic, political, social, and cultural lines.
• Regionalization is a process and concentration of trade, peoples, and ideas, even conflict at a regional level.
• An example of regionalization is the expansion of Jollibee from the Philippines to other Southeast Asian countries.

Regionalism

• Regionalism is a policy and project where states and non-state actors cooperate and coordinate strategy within a region.
• It involves state actors.

Externalist View

• Globalization enables great powers such as the United States and Europe to spread their political and technological development.
• Originated from the West and revolutionized to improve or degrade the lifestyles of developing countries.

Symbiotic Relationship of Globalization and Regions

• Regions can influence globalization.
• ASEAN maintains protectionist policies to protect their markets from the negative effects of liberalization.
• The use of consensus-decision making process is used.

Regionalism as an Alternative to Globalization

• There is distrust for great powers.
• Development of the principles of non-alignment in a world torn apart by ideological rivalry.

ASEAN Plus Three (APT)

• The plus three consists of China, South Korea, and Japan.

Factors Affecting Asian Integration: Realism

• Sovereign state
• National self-interest
• Power
• Its heart is security interest, defined as state independence, territorial integrity, and maintenance of the political system.
• Nations resort to self-help, seeking through alliances and alignment as a balance of power, and finding shelter under hegemonic protection.

ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)

• Created because the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the withdrawal of American forces from the Philippines raised concerns about the military power of Japan and China.
• Ensures the continued independence and security of its members.

Functionalist Theory and Regionalism

• Interactions from specific regional activities such as trade could expand to other aspects of governance like security.

Regime Theory

• States act based on interest but are disciplined to the reciprocally understood obligations of the "regime."
• APEC expanded its role into security after the 9-11 attacks.

Constructivism

• Community is based on a collective identity of norms, knowledge, and culture.
• Ideas and norms can heavily influence foreign affairs
• ASEAN Way

Musjawarah

• Decision-making process wherein agreements are achieved through consensus, integral part of the ASEAN decision making process (ASEAN Way).

Other Entities

• Association of Southeast Asian Nations
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation