International Politics Dersi 3. Ünite Özet

Introduction

Some concepts which explain a locally union or unity such as region, regionalism, regionalization, and integration are confused with each other. It can be showed some differences between these concepts despite small nuances. First of all; while region refers to a defined and clear area in one geographic space where boundries are lined; with reference to Frost, regionalism expresses a political movement, which is based on awareness of and loyalty to a region, combined with dedication to a region-wide agenda of some kind in the second phase. The suffix (“- ism”) in the word of regionalism suggests a conscious set of related ideas or ideology that is capable of forming the basis of a political movement or an intellectual trend. It implies a coordinated action on the part of governments based on some vision or set of ideas. Thirdly; regionalization can be defined as the formation or realignment of transactions and attitudes along regional lines. It is in some way “a manifestation of globalization”. According to Frost, “regionalization is driven, brokered, and carried out primarily by private individuals acting on their own. Real-life integration requires people-employees of multinational corporations, small-scale traders, representatives of civil society organizations, and many others” In brief, regionalization is a process, and integration is its fruit. Besides, there are many varieties of integration.

Conceptual Framework: What is “Region”?

The concept of ‘region’ has generically occupied an important position in social sciences. It has been defined first and foremost historically as a space between the national and the local, primarily within particular states. These types of ‘regions’ are referred to as micro-regions and they can exist within a special state or be cross-border naturally. The concept of region also shows macro-regions (regions of the world), which are larger territorial (in contrast to non-territorial) units or sub-systems, between the state and the level of global system. A Finally, there are meso-regions: mid-range state or non-state arrangements and processes between the two levels

A region is basically “a part of the land surface of the earth”. In the geographical literature, regions can be defined in three ways as uniform, functional, and administrative areas, respectively. At this point, most useful for purposes of economic development are functional areas combining places that are characterized by strong degrees of “interdependence and strong complementarities”.

The concept of region evolved historically to mean a space between national and local within a state or a nation state. This meaning can be captured by the terms ‘micro-region’ or ‘sub-national region’ that may refer to either subnational or cross-border regions such as the regions of Flanders and Oresund.

Regionalism and Regionalization

Regionalism which can be defined as a theory or practice of being regional rather than being central in the level of system, administration or economic, cultural, or political affiliation is a prominent trend in the field of regional or systemic studies.

In terms of Fawcett, there have been many attempts by different scholars to define regions and regionalism. The terrain of the definition has always been fluid and arguably become more complex since the scope of both these two terms are continually contested and subject to different interpretations. While the term of region has been typically defined “as geographically proximate and interdependent states” and the term of regionalism “as attempts at formal cooperation between such states”, it is evident that for many scholars who study on the subject of region and regionalism “these definitions are today too narrow”.

International relations specialists and political scientists are suffering to some extent from confusion in their vocabulary with the terms ‘regionalism’ and ‘regionalisation’, which are used interchangeably. For Camroux, regionalisation can be defined as akin to “nation-building”, and “regionalism” can be defined as a process of “identity” construction akin to “nationalism”. The terms “regionalism” and “regionalization”, in this place, are often used interchangeably to describe the construction of regional entities in Asia.

It should be looked the definition of ‘federalism’ in the standard international political science. It should be reminded that federalism and regionalism are fundamentally intertwined in both theory and practice. According to this definition by Brown (2007), “federalism is a system of government in which authority is constitutionally divided between central and regional governments. Many experts who study federalism see regionalism expressed in direct, political, geographicallyspecific ways before it can potentially take on constitutional significance. This is true at subnational, supranational and trans-national levels alike.

Regionalism offers such three quite different concepts as regional cooperation, regional provision of public goods and services, and regional integration. As a dimension of regionalism, regional cooperation explains other more integrated forms of regionalism that strengthen regional cooperation but on encouraging the region and its institutions to better integrate cultural norms and practices. If regional cooperation is to be promoted, therefore, more emphasis needs to be given to the identical factors.

The concepts of regional integration and regionalism may theoretically seem contradictory.

Integration brings about the idea of “unification along legal, political, economic lines” (like between the members and candidates of European Union). In the meantime, regionalism brings about “the idea of diversification”; regions as actors. However, there is great deal of coherence and compatibility between these two processes. Additionally, integration may increase regionalization and the process of regionalization. New regionalism is shaped by changes in the international context and, above all, the emerging international and continental regimes.

From another point of view, there are three distinct forms of ‘regionalism’ as social, economic, and cultural. When social regionalism refers to the fact that “the divergent electoral behavior of different regions is often simply a reflection of their different social composition”, economic regionalism describes the fact that “the geographical concentration of a particular industry may lead voters in a region to develop a distinct sense of shared economic interest”. Finally, the third form of (political) regionalism, is cultural regionalism that could emerge “if significant groups of voters come to question the legitimacy of the state as a provider of public goods”.

The cumulative knowledge has grown with the study of regionalism during the last two decades, numerous regional organizations in the institutional design, and the relationship between regionalism and globalization.

Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology

Regional Organizations and Categorization of Regional Organizations

The term ‘regionalism’ has two connotations in the negative and positive meaning. In the negative sense, regionalism implies an “excessive attachment to one’s region to prefer to the country or the state”. When looked at its positive sense, it is “a political attribute associated with people’s love for their region, culture, language, etc.” by the view of maintaining the independent identity.

The regional organizations have a long history, and they have become a central feature of international relations in the last quarter of the century. Since the disintegration of the Cold War during the late 1980s, and encouraged by the advent of globalization, these organizations have gradually grown in number and complexity.

In the present globalized world, we can mention a lot of regional organizations. As some of them still protect its entity, some have been obliged to be extinct because of some economic, financial, and political reasons. The most effective element in its survival is financial factors. In the literature, we can see several types of categorization. However, one of the widespread classification is security, economy, integration, etc.

Regional Political Organizations

European Union (EU)

European Union, as a political regional organization, is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours in Europe, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) begins economically and politically to unite European countries in order to secure lasting peace. The six founding countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as a political regional organization, is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations with its membership of 57 states that spread over four continents. The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavours to protect the interests of the Muslim world within the spirit of promoting international peace, welfare, and harmony among the peoples of the world.

Council of Europe

The founder fathers of Europe were the people who launched the process of European construction by founding the Council of Europe in1949 and setting up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1950 and the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957.

Regional Economic (Development) Organizations

Asia-Pasific Economic Organization (APEC)

The idea of APEC was firstly publicly broached by Bob Hawke -Former Prime Minister of Australia- during a speech in Korea on 31 January 1989. Ten months later, 12 Asia-Pacific economies met in Canberra (Australia) to establish APEC. The founding members were Australia, Brunei, Darussalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and the United States.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect in 1994, creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones and laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Since then, NAFTA has demonstrated how free trade increases wealth and competitiveness, delivering real benefits to workers, families, farmers, manufacturers, and consumers.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established to help build a new, post-Cold War era in the Central and Eastern Europe. It has since played a historic role and gained unique expertise to foster change in the region and beyond it.

Regional Security Organizations

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Security in the present times is key to people’s well-being. NATO’s purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means, and in security.

NATO politically promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to build trust, solve problems, and prevent conflict in the long run. NATO militarily is committed to a peaceful resolution of disputes in international relations.

African Union (AU)

The advent of the African Union (AU) can be defined as an event of great magnitude in the institutional evolution of the continent in 1999. The Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) issued the Sirte Declaration that calls for the establishment of an AU to accelerate the process of integration in the continent to enable it play its rightful role in international relations and the global economy as addressing some multifaceted economic, social, and political problems which were compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalization.

Arab League/League of Arab States (AL)

The Arab League (AL) or League of Arab States (LAS) is, as a regional security organization, an intergovernmental organization and a voluntary and independent association consisted of some African and Middle East countries whose peoples are mainly Arabic speaking. The founder objectives of the Arab League were to strengthen links among the AL’s Member States, to coordinate their policies under AL, and to promote the common interests of the member countries.