World of Regions Presentation PDF

# A World of Regions The image shows a presentation about regionalism. ## Regions - A group of countries located in the same geographically specified area. - An amalgamation of two regions or a combination of more than two regions organized to regulate and oversee flows and policy choices. ## Th...

# A World of Regions The image shows a presentation about regionalism. ## Regions - A group of countries located in the same geographically specified area. - An amalgamation of two regions or a combination of more than two regions organized to regulate and oversee flows and policy choices. ## The Difference Between Regionalism and Regionalization - **Regionalization** refers to the regional concentration of economic flows. - **Regionalism** is a political process characterized by economic policy cooperation and coordination among countries. ## How Do Countries in the Region Respond Economically and Politically to Globalization? - **China** offers its cheap and huge workforce to attract foreign businesses and expand trade. - **Singapore and Switzerland** developed their countries into financial and banking hubs. - **Singapore** developed its harbor facilities and made them a first-class transit port for ships carrying different commodities from Africa to countries in the Asia-Pacific. ## Why Do Countries Form Regional Organizations? - To cope with the challenges of globalization. - To pool their resources, get better returns for their exports, and expand their leverage against trading partners. - To protect their independence from the pressure of super politics. - Economic crisis compels countries to come together. ### Why Do Countries Form Regional Organizations? - Examples * **Military Defense** * The **North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)** was founded by Western European countries and the United States of America during the Cold War to protect Europe against the Soviet Union. * The Soviet Union retaliated by creating the **Warsaw Pact Alliance**, which was composed of Eastern European countries under Soviet domination. * The Soviet Union imploded in 1991, but NATO remains in place. * **Resource Pooling (OPEC)** * The **Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)** was founded in 1960 to regulate the production and sale of oil. * It's power was felt in the 1970s when the production and price of oil was controlled by OPEC. * OPEC's success convinced nine other oil-producing countries to join it. * **Protecting Independence (Non-Aligned Movement)** * The **Non-Aligned Movement** was founded in 1961 by the presidents of Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, and Yugoslavia to establish world peace, international cooperation, and human rights. * At its peak, the NAM had 120 members. * **Economic Crisis Response (ASEAN)** * The **Thai economic crisis** in 1996 led ASEAN countries, along with China, Japan, and South Korea, to work together to save the economy. ## Non-State Regionalism - While state regionalism is very popular in advancing regional economic and political stability, non-state regionalism is also gaining its presence in addressing common problems related to the economy, politics, health, culture, environment, etc. ### Non-State Regionalism - Forms * **Tiny Associations:** Focus on a single issue. * **Huge Intercontinental Unions:** Address a multitude of common problems. * **NGOs, Non-Government Organizations, and Individuals:** Rely on the power of these groups. * **Reformists**: Share common values. ### Non-State Regionalism - Strategies and Tactics * **Partnering with Governments for Social Change:** The **Citizen Diplomacy Forum (CDF)** tries to influence the policies and programs of organizations in the American States. * **Promoting Human Rights:** **Asian Parliamentarian for Human Rights** works to prevent discrimination, uphold political freedom, promote democracy and human rights. ### Non-State Regionalism - Specialized Causes 1. *Rain Forest Foundation:* Protects indigenous people and forests in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru. 2. *Regional Interfaith Youth Networks:* Promotes conflict prevention, peace education, and sustainable development. 3. *Migrant Forum in Asia:* Works to protect and promote the rights and welfare of migrant workers. ### Differences Between Non-State and State Regionalism - Non-state regionalism treats poverty and environmental degradation as reflections of flawed development and environmental models. State regionalism treats these issues as economic or technical problems. ## Challenges to Regionalism 1. **The resurgence of militant nationalism and populism:** This involves the conflict between NATO, the United States, and Vladimir Putin's Anti-NATO movement. 2. **Continuous financial crisis:** The continuous crisis in the European Region continues to lead the United Kingdom into exiting the European Union. 3. **Conflict between sovereignty and regional stability:** The Philippines had difficulty letting some countries support its condemnation of China's occupation of the West Philippine Sea because China had given great investments and economic aid to these countries. 4. **Differing visions of regionalism:** Developed countries like the US may only see regionalism as a tool for political democratization, but developing countries see regionalism as an obstacle to economic globalization because public inquiry slows down its implementation.