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2018 | Buch

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Initiatives of Regional Integration in Asia in Comparative Perspective

Concepts, Contents and Prospects

herausgegeben von: Prof. Dr. Howard Loewen, Dr. Anja Zorob

Verlag: Springer Netherlands

Buchreihe : United Nations University Series on Regionalism

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This volume offers to compare and explain variances of regionalism in Asia by disclosing the distinctive features of regional arrangements and how they evolved during the 1990s and 2000s against the background of a changing global environment. Moreover, it takes up a genuinely ‘inter-Asian’ perspective. By analysing and comparing diverse manifestations of regional integration agreements across Asia and its different sub-regions, it sets out to track their common characteristics and sub-regional facets with respect to their establishment, design and consequences. In addition, political processes accompanying their negotiation and implementation are scrutinized. The analysis encompasses nine case studies written by renowned scholars who together as a group combine an extraordinary mixture of different disciplinary backgrounds as well as expertise on shapes and processes of regional integration in different parts of Asia. The case studies seize on some of the most important features and controversial issues characterizing the second regionalism. Such are the emergence and impact of overlapping FTAs, regional financial and sub-regional economic integration and cooperation, power and the politics of regional integration as well as the nexus between conflict resolution, state failure and regional integration.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Initiatives of Regional Integration in Asia in Comparative Perspective: An Introduction

Abstract

This introduction focuses on the concepts and definitions including a discussion of some of the main issues and specific features of the second wave of regionalism. It also presents the overall structure of the book and concludes with the main findings of the case studies.

Anja Zorob, Howard Loewen

Chapter 2. Japan and China in a Two-Hub Formation of Regional Integration in East Asia

Abstract

East Asian countries are looking for an institutional scheme to deepen the initial market-led regional integration. This chapter measures the existing bilateral trade relations among East Asian countries by calculating BTR index (de facto Bilateral Trade Relation), economic distance and HM index (Hub-ness index). Based on the comparison of de facto trade preferences among East Asian countries, it investigates East Asian regionalism in a two-hub formation (an ‘East Asian Bicycle’), of which Japan and China might be the two potential hub candidates. The ASEAN-China free trade zone may spur regional integration in East Asia by motivating other East Asian nations to join the ASEAN-China FTA early and at the same time liberalize trade amongst each other.

Lurong Chen

Chapter 3. Regional Integration in the Middle East in the Shadow of EU and US Free Trade Initiatives

Abstract

Large trade powers or hubs such as the European Union (EU) are keen to highlight the ‘positive spill-over effects’ a free trade agreement (FTA) with them could offer for developing partners’ endeavors to foster South-South integration. Drawing on the concepts of Hub-and-spokes bilateralism and the ‘systemic implications’ of overlapping FTAs, this chapter, in contrast, explores to what extent agreements with the ‘hub’ and their accompanying rules of origin systems affect formulation, negotiation and implementation of FTAs among the ‘spokes’. The bumpy track record of the Agadir Agreement and, in particular, the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) suggest that, despite the EU’s offer to allow for diagonal cumulation of origin, the agreements with the EU and the US foster fragmentation rather than promoting integration among Arab countries. As a consequence, they also tend to further constrain the limited potential of GAFTA and the Agadir Agreement to effectively complement integration with the hubs.

Anja Zorob

Chapter 4. The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) – Infrastructure Development and the Prospects for the Emergence of a Security Community

Abstract

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is an example of successful subregional cooperation in East Asia between the neighboring countries China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, all of which are linked through trade, investment and people movements. This chapter asks whether the development of infrastructure in the GMS prompts the emergence of a pluralistic community in the sense of Karl W. Deutsch. It is argued that the increase of cross-border transactions between the GMS member countries creates a solid foundation for the evolution of a security community. After a brief analytical introduction, GMS infrastructure projects with a focus on sub-regional economic corridors are being examined.

Timotheus Krahl, Jörn Dosch

Chapter 5. Institutional Development and Institutional Interplay Within the Global Financial Regime Complex – The IMF and Regional Financial Cooperation in East Asia

Abstract

The chapter argues that the emergence and specific implementation of an international institution can only be understood if the institution is seen as part of a larger regime complex. It analyses the creation of the Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI), a regional monetary fund in East Asia. The evolution of the Chiang Mai Initiative will be evaluated in two steps. Firstly, the paper will explain the emergence of the regime by reference to liberal and constructivist models of regime creation with reference to the influence of the international financial regime complex. Following this, it will be evaluated how institutional interplay within the financial regime complex shaped the CMI and what impact it is likely to have on the regime complex it is part of. It will be argued that four factors play a major role in the CMI’s interactions within the financial regime complex: The lack of a clean slate, forum shopping, legal inconsistencies and the politics of implementation.

Howard Loewen

Chapter 6. Shanghai Cooperation Organization: China, Russia, and Regionalism in Central Asia

Abstract

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), established in 2001 by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, represents the world’s largest regional organization. Going beyond the ‘Great Game’ concept often resorted to in the analysis of SCO’s emergence, this chapter focuses on the objective interests of its members. Since regional stability presents itself as the core objective of cooperation that all SCO members share, it is the field of security cooperation where the organization has been able to achieve the most in recent years. In addition, the apparent ‘mutual compatibility’ of the member states’ distinctive economic interests fed into strengthening political dialogue. While the SCO has helped, in contrast to many other regional organizations, to build confidence among its member states in this area, challenges remain and most importantly in the field of economic cooperation on a genuine regional basis.

Ishtiaq Ahmad

Chapter 7. China’s Rising Power in Southeast Asia and Its Impact on Regional Institution-Building: Who Is Leading Whom?

Abstract

The chapter explores China’s rise from a leadership perspective using Southeast Asia as a test case. Leadership is conceptualized in materialist and constructivist terms. It is argued that China increasingly sets the rules in this world region. Competing with Japan and the US over regional leadership China forges strategic links to Southeast Asian neighbours in terms of investments, trade relations and aid. China also increasingly engages in multilateral cooperation and sets up respective initiatives to manage international problems. This should not be taken as a preference for multilateralism per se, but has to be seen in the light of China’s core interests of regional stability and resource seeking. The ASEAN states make room for a rising China as they benefit from increasing trade and stability. Due to the different interests of ASEAN, China’s rise brings also the potential for greater conflict in inner-ASEAN relations. The argument is developed by linking theories of regional powers, leadership and regionalism.

Marco Bünte

Chapter 8. Comparing Modes of Regional Economic Governance: The Gulf Co-operation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Abstract

Most studies of economic regionalism fail to distinguish among divergent types of regional formations, and make little effort to chart the developmental trajectory that regionalist projects display over time. This paper lays out an analytical typology that can be used to elucidate crucial differences across regional formations, and also to highlight significant changes in the kind and level of governance that occur in any particular regionalist experiment. The utility of the framework is demonstrated through a comparative analysis of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Fred H. Lawson

Chapter 9. East Asian Regionalization and North Korea: From Confrontation to Cooperation

Abstract

Past and recent efforts at regional security cooperation with North Korea have not been successful. It is argued that these attempts failed due to the predominant strategy of confrontational cooperation. With reference to standard IR theories, the author explores the limits and options for the DPRK to participate successfully in East Asian regional initiatives based on a promising multilateral strategy, called cooperative cooperation. In conjunction with an assessment of activities conducted, a number of conditions are inferred on which East Asian regionalization could serve as an alternative approach to the solution of various issues pertaining to the North Korean problem. Among these are most importantly the country’s nuclear programme, the DPRK’s meagre economic relations with other East Asian economies and reform challenges typical to a socialist system under transformation pressure. According to the author a multilateral, ASEAN-based regional institution with China leading from behind could help providing new impetus to managing these problems and could also contribute to East Asian community building.

Rüdiger Frank

Chapter 10. State Failure and Regional Containment: The Case of Afghanistan

Abstract

Whilst a large scholarly literature exists debating why states fail, little is known about the role that neighboring countries play in containing the negative effects of state failure and assisting the recovering state. This paper proposes a rather unconventional new concept assuming that state collapse might serve as an incentive or starting point for regional integration. To illustrate the concept, it takes a look on the reactions or strategies of countries surrounding Afghanistan on the latter’s collapse. Drawing on the theoretical background of international relations approaches to institutions the paper distinguishes four basic strategies countries neighbouring failed states may choose. The analysis shows that Afghanistan’s collapse prompted formal initiatives in some cases and rather informal attempts in others though with a clear bias towards bilateral strategies of cooperation and integration.

George Gavrilis

Titel: Initiatives of Regional Integration in Asia in Comparative Perspective
herausgegeben von: Prof. Dr. Howard Loewen
Dr. Anja Zorob
Verlag: Springer Netherlands
Electronic ISBN: 978-94-024-1211-6
Print ISBN: 978-94-024-1209-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1211-6