South Asian Regionalism : The Limits of Cooperation

The book explains the politics of regionalism in South Asia from the vantagepoint of International Relations (IR). It engages three major IR theoretical approaches – Neorealism, institutionalism and constructivism - to explain the complex dynamics of South Asian regionalism – its origin, evolutionary process, outcome and effects. The study traces the origins and evolution of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) from its inception to the present day. Using comparative perspectives based on the experiences of similar regional organisations, the book provides an in-depth analysis of the performance of SAARC and its challenges and limits. The study divides the evolution of SAARC into two distinct phases. In the formative phase, the organisation primarily focussed on, based on the neo-functional idea of ‘spillover’ – low level issue areas for cooperation. In the second phase from 1993 onward, cooperation was initiated in the core economic areas, i.e. trade in goods and services, finance, investment etc. While the organisation achieved some tangible and intangible successes, its failures are more glaring. Terming the formation of SAARC essentially as a political project, the book argues that the patterns of regional international relations have primarily determined the outcome of regionalism in South Asia. While the socio-economic development constituted the key rationale for the formation of SAARC, its modus operandi was politico-strategic which led to its gradual erosion. Notwithstanding its limits, the book asserts that SAARC will have to be called back at a future date due to the persistence of the compelling rationale for which it was created. 01.0_pp_i_ii_Frontmatter 02.0_pp_iii_iv_Dedication 03.0_pp_v_v_Contents 04.0_pp_vi_viii_List_of_Abbreviations 05.0_pp_1_16_Introduction 06.0_pp_17_38_South_Asias_International_Relations_A_Historical_Overview 07.0_pp_39_56_The_Idea_of_South_Asia_as_a_Region 08.0_pp_57_78_The_Origins_of_SAARC 09.0_pp_79_98_The_Formative_Years_198092 10.0_pp_99_120_SAARC_After_1992_Disagreements_and_Differences 11.0_pp_121_136_Beyond_SAARC_Sub-Regional_and_Trans-Regional_Cooperation 12.0_pp_137_154_SAARC_and_the_Limits_of_Cooperation_in_South_Asia 13.0_pp_155_168_International_Relations_Theory_and_South_Asian_Regionalism 14.0_pp_169_180_Conclusion 15.0_pp_181_210_Notes 16.0_pp_211_234_References 17.0_pp_235_241_Index Leading South Asia expert Bhumitra Chakma explains the politics of regionalism in South Asia and traces the origins and evolution of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) from its inception to the present day. He takes an International Relations perspective and engages three major IR theoretical approaches - neorealism, institutionalism and constructivism - to explain the complex dynamics of South Asian regionalism. Using comparative perspectives based on the experiences of similar regional organizations, the author provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges of cooperation in the region and explores how progress might be made in the future. Tracing the origins and evolution of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and explaining its outcome and effects, this book draws lessons about the dynamics of regionalism. Engaging key IR perspectives, it charts the limits of regional cooperation and calls for fresh perspectives on the issue.