GLOBAL DIVIDES & Asian Regionalism

Chancellor Willy Brandt

who published the brandt report (1983)?

The Global North

this refers to developed societies of Europe and North America, which are characterised by established democracy, wealth, technological advancement, political stability, aging population, zero population growth and dominance of world trade and politics.​

The Global South

this represents mainly agrarian economies in Africa, India, China, Latin America and others that are not as economically sound and politically stable as their global North counterparts and tend to be characterised by turmoil, war, conflict, poverty, anarchy and tyranny

asian regionalism

is the process of economic, political, and social cooperation and integration among Asian countries, driven largely by economic interdependence, but also encompassing cultural, security, and societal aspects.

regionalism

-is the deliberate political and/or cultural desire to cooperate and form institutions for collective action within a region

regionalization

-is the process of increased cross-border flow of goods, capital, people, and information within that same region, often driven by non-political economic forces

Trade and production networks

Asian regionalism is largely driven by economics, with a focus on expanded trade, investment, and interconnected production networks, particularly in sectors like electronics and IT.

infrastracture development

Regional infrastructure projects are crucial for enhancing connectivity and facilitating intra-regional trade and investment.

market expansion

Governments are working to create larger and more integrated economic zones to compete with other regional blocs and to absorb the growing economies of countries like China and India.

Establishment of Institutions

Organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) serve as frameworks for fostering cooperation and managing regional affairs.

The “ASEAN” way

This encompasses a set of norms and rules, including respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in domestic affairs, consensus-based decision-making, and a preference for informal processes.

Shared Mechanisms

Efforts are underway to create regional mechanisms for managing cross-border issues, such as financial stability, environmental concerns, and health.