Regionalism In The New Asia-pacific Order, Vol 2: The Political Economy Of The Asia-pacific Region

Regionalism in the Asia-Pacific is a complex, diverse, highly contested and still rapidly evolving phenomenon. Crucial to an understanding of this phenomenon is the relationship between globalization and regionalization, between states, markets and civil society, and between US hegemony and Asian aspirations. This volume, the sequel to States, Markets and Civil Society in Asia Pacific, makes these interacting relationships the centrepiece of its analysis. It examines the multiple attempts at institutional innovation, especially over the last twenty years, by placing them in their geo-political, geo-economic and cultural contexts. ASEAN, the ASEAN Regional Forum, APEC, ASEAN+3, ASEM, sub-regional economic zones, KEDO, CSCAP and other organizations are surveyed not as ends in themselves but for what they tell us of shifting political, economic and normative trends in Asia-Pacific and beyond. Comparing and contrasting the roles of great and middle powers, of state and non-state actors, and of governmental and non-governmental regional organizations, this book will appeal to scholars with an interest in the political economy of the Asia-Pacific region, international relations, and regional and global governance. Regionalism in the New Pacific Order will be invaluable to policymakers, diplomats, business analysts, journalists, NGO representatives, and researchers with a stake in the future development of the Asia-Pacific region. In the second and final volume of this study (volume one, States, markets and civil society in Asia Pacific, was published by Edward Elgar in 2000), Camilleri (international relations, La Trobe U., Melbourne, Australia) provides a detailed analysis of the political economic features of regional institutions in the area, particularly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. The study analyzes regional groups and their histories with attention to three main questions: whether there has been an attempt to institutionalize new notions of security; whether current regional multilateralism is useful in geopolitical, economic, and cultural interactions; and whether state, market, and civil society are fruitfully integrated by the present regional architectures. Besides ASEAN, other regional institutions are discussed, including the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR The kind of regionalism that affects the Asia-Pacific region is complex, diverse, highly contested and still in the process of evolving. Joseph Camilleri explores the relationship between globalization, regionalization, states, markets and civil society in this critically important part of the world