The ongoing political and economic trends influencing the present
international order have led to the raise of new powerful actors which play actively in
the global arena. Next to economic giants such as China, India or Russia, a different
set of players is emerging thanks to the gradual process of regionalization. Regional
blocs mainly based on economic cooperation are reshaping the global fragmentation
of power, affecting in turn the status of their member states in the international order.
In this essay two main aspects are taken into account: the structuring of a “new”
multipolar order and the nature and role of regional blocs as actors operating in it.
Thus a third level of analysis is introduced, consisting of the linkage between the
emergence of regional blocs and the impact they have on the international strength of
their member states. In order to provide a better understanding the author means to
focus on the Central America Integration System (SICA) and evaluate whether or not
it has influenced the current Meso-American countries’ status in the “new” global
system’s structure, carrying out a comparison with the most developed regional bloc,
the European Union (EU).
Table of Contents
1. HOW TO DEFINE THE NEW WORLD ORDER
2. TOWARDS A REGIONALIZED WORLD ORDER
3. STATES AND REGIONAL BLOCS: CONSEQUENCES AT THE GLOBAL LEVEL
4. CONCLUSION
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This essay explores the restructuring of the international order, specifically examining how regional blocs act as influential entities within a new, decentralized multipolar system. It evaluates the impact of regionalization on member states' international status, using the Central America Integration System (SICA) as a primary case study while comparing it with the more advanced regional integration model of the European Union (EU).
- The evolution of the "new" international multipolar order.
- The role and nature of regional blocs as non-state or intergovernmental actors.
- Comparison of regional integration depth between the EU and SICA.
- The link between regionalization and the international strength of member states.
- The influence of globalization on state strategy and bargaining power.
Excerpt from the Book
TOWARDS A REGIONALIZED WORLD ORDER
Taking into account Cox’s quotation, the creation of regional blocs seems to reflect that “measure or prospect of satisfaction to the less powerful” (Cox, 1987: 7). The push toward regionalism is found in the period of transition between the Soviet Union’s dissolution and the turn to the uni-multipolar order, in which the growing economic interdependence and the lack of a fixed international structure allowed regional blocs to come out. How can “regionalism” can be defined? Fawcett and Hurrell (1996) adopt an institutional standpoint when they interprete the regionalist trend as the creation of formal international organizations on regional scale. In the same year Gamble and Payne set up a different definition. According to them the regional blocs imply regional alliences bond togheter by economic dependence, where “the calculations that state actors make of their interests….are the starting point for understanding the wider context of their behaviour” (1996: 250). Herein it is possible to identify the features of this “New Regionalism” (Hettne, 1999): i. it developes in a multipolar context; ii. the top-down dimension goes with a construction from below; iii. it is outward-oriented; iv. it developes along a multidimensional process in which political aims are at stake; v. non-state actors play an important role.
Thus the process of regionalization, which means the actual creation of regional blocs, seems to be a reaction or rather a common response to two main factors: i. the increasing interconnection and interdependence among streams of goods and capitals, migration flows, cultural bonds; ii. the changing international stage where the distribution of power is undergoing a strong re-balancing. In this context less powerful states embark on projects of economic, political or security cooperation– or all three at a time – in order to redefine and stregthen their economical and political weight. In other words the drive toward regionalism could be seen as “a mean of increasing bargaining power in international negotiations for certain parts of the world” (Fabbrini, 2008).
Summary of Chapters
1. HOW TO DEFINE THE NEW WORLD ORDER: This chapter analyzes the shift from a bipolar to a "new" multipolar and fragmented world order, emphasizing the persistence of state power alongside the rise of emerging economies like the BRIC nations.
2. TOWARDS A REGIONALIZED WORLD ORDER: This section defines the theoretical framework of regionalism and categorizes different types of regional organizations based on their level of economic and political integration.
3. STATES AND REGIONAL BLOCS: CONSEQUENCES AT THE GLOBAL LEVEL: This chapter conducts a comparative analysis of the European Union's deep supranational integration versus the more limited, economically-focused cooperation found within the Central America Integration System (SICA).
4. CONCLUSION: The final chapter summarizes the findings, noting that while SICA has struggled with political integration, regional cooperation remains a vital tool for smaller states to enhance their international bargaining power.
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY: This section lists the academic sources, books, and reports referenced throughout the essay.
Keywords
New international order, regionalization process, regional blocs, Central American Integration System, SICA, European Union, EU, multipolarity, global economy, state sovereignty, emerging economies, BRIC, international relations, integration, hegemony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work examines how the emergence of regional blocs influences the international status and bargaining power of member states within a shifting, multipolar global order.
What are the central themes covered in the book?
Key themes include the transition from a bipolar to a multipolar world, the definition and types of "New Regionalism," and the comparative analysis of regional integration models.
What is the core research question?
The author seeks to understand if the regionalization process serves as an effective mechanism for smaller states to maximize their strength and maintain relevance in a decentralized international system.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author utilizes a comparative approach, contrasting the highly integrated, supranational model of the European Union with the more intergovernmental, economically-driven model of the Central America Integration System (SICA).
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body explores the evolution of the world order post-Cold War, defines regionalism through various academic perspectives, and details the specific political and economic challenges faced by SICA member states.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Essential keywords include regionalization, international order, SICA, European Union, multipolarity, and state bargaining power.
Why is the EU used as a point of comparison for SICA?
The EU represents the most advanced example of supranational regional integration, providing a benchmark to evaluate the scope and effectiveness of regionalism in other parts of the world.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the SICA project?
The author concludes that while SICA has had limited success in deep political integration, it has effectively served as a tool for member states to define collective interests and increase their presence in the global economy.
- Citar trabajo
- Arianna Catalano (Autor), 2009, Is Regionalism a Way to Emerge in the "New" Multipolar Order?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/179860
