Security Communities And Their Neighbours: Regional Fortresses Or Global Integrators? Security Communities And Their Neighbors

Does the proliferation of security communities around the world presage a new era of competition between regions or an era of intensified global integration? This important new study assesses the relationship between security communities and their neighbours and asks whether processes of regional integration will contribute to a global 'clash of civilizations'. The first part of the book builds a framework for assessing the changing relationship between a security community and its neighbours, looking at the ideas and physical relations that bind the community together and the extent to which these ideas and networks cross the boundary between members and non-members. Drawing on four detailed case studies (Western Europe, Southeast Asia, the Persian Gulf and North America), Alex J. Bellamy argues that the more mature a security community becomes, the less likely it is to become a 'regional fortress'. As communities mature, its members begin to adopt cooperative approaches to security as both insiders and outsiders are socialized into new patterns of behaviour There are two types of security community: those that create a political community, like the EU, and those that are pluralistic and are aligned through shared goals. This book analyses the development of such communities on both the member states and those outwith such organisations. Does the proliferation of security communities around the world presage a new era of competition between regions or an era of intensified global integration? This important new study assesses the relationship between security communities and their neighbours and asks whether processes of regional integration will contribute to a global 'clash of civilizations'. Drawing on four detailed case studies (Western Europe, Southeast Asia, the Persian Gulf and North America), Alex J. Bellamy argues that the more mature a security community becomes, the less likely it is to become a 'regional fortress'. Introduction : Security Communities And International Relations -- The Social Construction Of International Society -- Security And Community -- Security Communities And Their Neighbours : A Framework Of Analysis -- Security Communities In Transition : The European Experience -- Building Community From Confrontation : The Southeast Asian Experience -- Stalled Integration And Perpetual War : The Gulf Cooperation Council -- Asymmetry, Security And Trade : The North American Security Community -- Conclusion : Reshaping International Relations? Alex J. Bellamy. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. There are two types of security community: those that create a political community between themselves by institution building (such as the EU); and those that are pluralistic and are aligned through shared values, responsiveness to each others needs and policy goals by their political elites (such as the UK and Ireland or the USA and Canada). Bellamy seeks to examine the impact of the development of such communities on members and non-members both theoretically and in practice though the analysis of several case studies. "This new study assesses the relationship between security communities and their neighbours and asks whether processes of regional integration will contribute to a global 'clash of civilisations'. The author argues that the more mature a security community becomes, the less likely it is to become a 'regional fortress'. As communities mature, its members begin to adopt cooperative approaches to security as both insiders and outsiders are socialised into new patterns of behaviour."--BOOK JACKET