Regionalism

Question 1

forms of regionalism

Answer 1

economic

Question 2

describe economic regionalism

Answer 2

• collaboration between countries within a geographic area to achieve economic goals
• by forming alliances and larger, integrated markets, states can attract foreign investment, increase trade flows and boost economic growth
• includes free trade agreements, customs unions, and common markets e.g. EU adopted eurozone= same currency and ASEAN reduces trade barriers

Question 3

describe security regionalism

Answer 3

• collaboration amongst countries in close geographic area to address shared security threats and maintain stability
• grown due to more interconnected nature of modern security challenges like terrorism and cyber threats which forced regional coordination

Question 4

examples of security regionalism

Answer 4

• NATO made in 1949 to combat Soviet Union’s influence, establishing a system of mutual defence
• African Union Peace and Security Council made in 2004
  = security regionalism in Africa aimed to prevent conflicts and manage peacekeeping operations
• ASEAN regional forum made in 1994= made to bring together ASEAN members and other regional bodies to discuss security security concerns in Asia-Pacific
  = facilitates diplomatic engagement on issues like territorial disputes in South China Sea wo formal integration instead just cooperation

Question 5

describe political regionalism

Answer 5

• refers to the cooperation between states in a region to achieve shared political goals and establish a stronger collective presence in global politics
• powerful when countries are aligned in their foreign policy goals and values

Question 6

forms of political regionalism

Answer 6

• federalism
• intergovernmentalism
• supranationalism

Question 7

describe intergovernmentalism

Answer 7

• adhered by ASEAN= complete member state sov as avoids political integration just encourages cooperation in security and economic matters
• AU has some intergovernmentalism as member states have full sov
• decisions are made by consensus so that member states maintain all sov
• intergovernmental organisations hold political dialogue and collaboration wo diminishing national sov

Question 8

describe supranationalism

Answer 8

• EU is supranational body w elements of federalism as it integrates member states’ political agendas through institutions like European Parl and European Commission which make binding decisions across multiple policy areas
• member states agree to transfer some sov to a central body that makes binding decisions on behalf of the region
• allow for deeper political integration= more possible to to implement policies across member states and establish unified stance on global issues

Question 9

describe federalism

Answer 9

• deepest level of regionalism
• member state function as provinces within a single political identity
• wanted by Macron
• central authority would hold the power to make laws and govern while member states would retain little autonomy e.g. US

Question 10

regionalism increases globalisation

Answer 10

• expands global trade networks as regional trade blocs reduce barriers among members= free flow of goods and services across borders
  = regional economic integration stimulated global trade growth
• regionalism helps align policies across member states which makes trade more efficient
  = shared regulatory standards and customs practices as seen in EU customs union
• regional blocs pursue trade agreements that extend beyond their borders, promoting global trade
  = by acting as unified entities these blocs negotiate large scale trade deals that smaller nations wouldn’t have access to independently
  = EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement boosted trade between South Korea and EU, increasing UK exports by 76% since its implementation

Question 11

regionalism prevents globalisation

Answer 11

• under free trade and globalisation smaller nations are @ disadv as they lack political and economic influence when making agreements
  = can lead to marginalisation in global trade systems leading countries vulnerable to exploitation of larger economies
  = small African nations struggle to secure favourable trade deals with US or EU who exploit their raw materials
  = by joining AfCFTA these countries gain collective influence= allow them to negotiate better trade terms as a unified trade bloc
• protective function of regionalism intensifies UK-China competition as regional platforms like EU provide platform for member states to engage with both china and US while reducing reliance on either side
  = ASEAN strategically maintained trade partnerships w US and China and strengthened ties w Japan and Aus= diversified trade network that increases its economic independence
• regionalism allows smaller countries to exert economic sov and pursue growth on their own terms within a globalised world shaped by power rivalry

Question 12

regionalism is a threat to globalisation

Answer 12

• regionalism encourages inward-looking policies where nations prioritise regional ties @ expense of wider global engagement
  = policies can be seen as protectionist, limiting benefits of globalisation
  = critics of EU argued extensive internal market regulations and customs unions create a “fortress Europe” that makes it harder for non-member countries to access EU markets
• EU’s CAP gives subsidies to European farmers lowers prices and disadvantages farmers from developing states who can’t compete
• regional blocs establish internal standards and protections that makes barriers for global businesses who cant meet specific requirements of each regional market
  = EU’s strict environmental and consumer standards makes it challenging for non-EU members to compete
  = called the “Brussels effect”

Question 13

regionalism undermines state sov

Answer 13

• supranational institutions mean decisions can be imposed on a country even if they oppose it
  = member states are bound by decisions that oppose them as seen in the European Commission and ECJ which enforce regional policies and legal rulings across all member states
• AU peace and security council deploy peacekeeping forces in conflict areas even if states show reluctance
  = in Sudan, AU peacekeeping forces were deployed in Darfur region to contain the violence despite reluctance from sudanese gov
• economic integration creates dependency as states depend on regional markets that are designed to benefit bloc as a whole
  = 2006 eurozone crisis when Greece had to implement strict austerity measures in exchange for financial support from EU institutions

Question 14

liberal POV on regionalism

Answer 14

• regionalism is positive tool to enhance rather than undermine sov through cooperation and mutual dependence
• regional organisations create stable frameworks that encourage states to share sov in specific areas as cooperation will strengthen national security and prosperity
• EU has pooled sov to produce collective benefits that outweigh individual compromises
• fosters interdependence by making states less likely to prioritise

Question 15

realist POV on regionalism

Answer 15

• strategic tool for states to safeguard their security within a competitive international system
• states join regional bodies to protect themselves from external threat rather than to politically or economically integrate
• regionalism is fundamentally intergovernmental as states will always prioritise national interests over shared global interests
• unlikely to lead to deep political integration