1.6 Regionalism
Key concepts: Interdependence, Legitimacy, Power, Sovereignty, Globalisation, Human Rights, Development, Peace, Equality, Inequality
Theoretical Perspectives: Realism, Liberalism, Post-colonialism, Constructivism
New terms: region, functionalism, federalism, devolution, centralisation, supranationalism
In this unit, we are going to function and impact of regional organisations, specifically the European Union and ASEAN.
We are going to look at different perspectives regarding the following questions:
1. The basics: What are regional IGOs and why do they exist?
2. The EU: mission and current crises – where is it going to go?
3. ASEAN: following in the footsteps of the EU? Successes and challenges.
4. The realism-liberalism debate: Are regional IGOs failing? Are they successful? Do they help global governance, or do they protect states from global governance?
We are going to look in depth at two case studies:
1. The Euro-crisis in Greece and its implications for the EU
2. ASEAN and the transboundary haze problem
Required Reading
Heywood, Andrew: Global Politics, chapter 20 (extracts)
Required Viewing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O37yJBFRrfg
Recommended Reading and Viewing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvIPSY_Sbfg