Why Regionalism Is a Popular Strategy of Coping with Globalization - Coursework Example

Research Essay for International Policies By Student’s Name Course + Course Name Professor’s Name University Name City, State Date Why Regionalism is a Popular Strategy of Coping with Globalization Both regionalism and globalization are highly recognized because they shape the contemporary system of world politics. Regionalization can be defined s being the growth of the societal integration within a specific region which also includes the undirected processes of economic and social interaction among different units. On the other hand, Globalization can be defined as being the intensification of political, cultural, social and economic relations across the borders. It can genuinely be asserted that indeed, regionalism has now become a popular strategy of coping with globalization due to numerous reasons. The aim of this paper is to depict how regionalism can indeed be termed as being the best or popular strategy of coping with globalization (Hart 2003). Being a dynamic process, regionalism can therefore be better comprehended as being a continuing process in which different regions are formed or created not only as geopolitical units but also as organized political cooperation units in a specific group of either regional communities such as “pluralistic security communities” or even states. In addition to that, regionalism can be termed as being the proneness of the peoples and governments of either two or even more states to establish or create voluntary associations and also pool together their material and non-material resources so as to create common institutional and functional arrangements. Why Regionalism is better placed in Coping with Globalization Regionalism is better placed to cope with the globalization process because through it, different types of actors; for instance regional institutions, states, societal organizations and even other non-state actors are able to come together and share some specific fundamental norms and values. It is also these actors that are responsible for taking part in a growing network of cultural, economic, military, political, diplomatic and scientific interactions that are also included in globalization. Regionalism, being the purposive “proneness of creating or establishing regional arrangements or institutions” can greatly be used to cope with the uneven impacts of globalization. Regionalism is a popular strategy of coping with globalization because apart from the fact that it is an essential component of the convergent trends of the globalization process, it is also a response of challenge towards the overlapping trends in globalization (Hamori et al 2013). Regionalism is a popular strategy of coping with globalization because it has now emerged in the contemporary society as being a very potent force or factor in the globalization process. Given the fact that globalization can be regarded as being the compression of spatial and temporal aspects of the sociological relations, then ultimately, regionalism may well be understood as being but just one chapter or component of globalization. Regionalism is, therefore, a popular strategy of coping with globalization because it helps the national economies in the world to become more competitive and active in the world market. Indeed, regionalism helps in regional integration that also results in multilateral cooperation on an international or global level. As a result, the regional integration process can be regarded as being part and parcel of the global or international economic order that when impelled by the raw materials of the market is capable of resulting into an essential component of the globalization process. Regionalism has become a popular strategy of addressing globalization because it is capable of resulting into a more “pluralistic world order” that is populated through distinct and diverse patterns of the socio-economic organizations which are actually accountable or responsible to their own populations. This is because indeed, regionalism is capable of stemming in the case from a challenge and reaction towards the undemocratic, inexorable and amorphous economic rules and principles of globalization. Regionalism is capable of coping with globalization in that it is capable of establishing not only trading blocs, but it is also capable of integrating the frameworks that are based upon the mercantilist premises. It is (Regionalism) capable of achieving this objectives through opposing the “neoliberal harmony of interest” of the world view economy in favour or regional or national frameworks and loyalties (Tzonis & Lefaivre 2012). Regionalism is a popular strategy of addressing globalization because States across the world are actually active players in the global arena and therefore their policies are a significant determinant in not only the scope but also in the direction of both globalization and regionalization as well. As a result, the stronger such states are, the more capable they will be in coping or addressing the intricacies which are associated or related with the political, economic, technological, cultural and social aspects or dimensions of globalization. Conversely or ultimately, the weaker such States become, the more exposed or penetrated they become to the vulnerabilities that are posed by the world economy and the more they become subjected to the temptations posed by a shallow world ideology and culture (Scarrit & Chan 2013). Regionalism is better placed in addressing issues related to globalization because being its component; it is capable of reconciling itself with the numerous forces or factors of economic globalization. In addition to that, economic motivations in the contemporary society have become the major motivation behind the modern forms of new regionalism. As a result, the current globalized economy has been known to challenge the capacity of the States and therefore it is through the entering of such States into regional groupings that their power or ability against the transnational economic factors and actors like invest groups can become enhanced. Indeed, the negative impacts arising from the globalization process can significantly be minimized by the States if they increase their interest of belonging or joining regional organizations or groupings. Based on the “Strategic State Theory” which argues that indeed, domestic companies are capable from benefiting as a result of belonging to regional markets which are big enough to enable them to scale the economies and at the same time become protected from the global competition, it can genuinely be asserted that regionalism is the best strategy of dealing with or coping with globalization. This is due to the fact that indeed, regional organizations are capable of allowing national companies not only to succeed in well protected but also in big markets in a manner that they would otherwise would not have succeeded if they became exposed towards global competition. At most times, the role of the Non-state actors that are closely linked or associated to economic globalization have become a major driving force towards the realization of regionalism. As a result, most of the States across the world have now seen it easier and feasible to reaching agreements or integrating through the numerous regional organizations either in the security, economic or political spheres (Telo 2012). The emergence or resurgence of numerous regional blocs since the end of the Cold War is a clear indicator that indeed, regionalism is a popular strategy that can be used in addressing the issue of globalization. This can further be proved through a significant number of the Regional Trade Agreements or the RTAs. When ascertaining the relationship between globalisation and regionalism, it will be prudent to note that indeed, regionalism is an integral and vital part of the globalization process. Most of the political leaders have adopted the concept of regionalism through forming alliances with more powerful nations so as to be provided with scarce resources and to even defend their economic resources. Such leaders believe it is through entering in regional formations or groupings that their internal political and economic problems can be resolved. Regionalism is a popular strategy of coping with globalization because it is a building block for the reconstruction of a global system that is different. Regionalism is, therefore, the only effective response that can address the challenges that are associated or linked to an ever continuous polarisation that has emerged due to the “capitalist globalisation processes”. It can therefore be truly argued that a nation’s position in a world which is globalized can be defined through its capacity of competing in the world market in which competitively is a complex aspect of various social, political and economic factors. In essence, regionalism can indeed work well as a field against globalization that is globally led. The processes of economic globalisation have further been enhanced through the new forms of regionalism (Glenn 2012). It should however be noted that the regionalism concept that is reflected through the formation of numerous regional blocs in the world should not be regarded as being “Protectionist trading blocs” that are designed with an aim of isolating any given specific region from the rest of other global international players, but rather, they should be viewed at economic alliances which are established or created with an aim of promoting or enhancing development within different regions while also ensuring that the borders become more porous. Based on the above facts and others not mentioned, it can indeed it ascertained that the regionalism is the best and popular strategy of coping with the globalization process. As a result, it is upon the different nations, States and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that it is strongly embraced so as to achieve the positive impacts that can arise from the globalization process. Conclusion Based on the above facts, it can genuinely be asserted that indeed, Regionalism is the way to go for most countries in coping with the issue of globalization. Countries are capable of using regionalism as a sure way of coping with globalization because it enhances their bargaining power and also makes them to become strong. Regionalism should therefore not only be adopted but also enhanced by all countries to ensure that they are capable of coping with globalization. Reference List Glenn, J, 2012, Globalization: North-South Perspectives, New York, Routledge. Hamori, S, et al, 2013, Financial Globalization and Regionalism in East Asia, New York, Routledge. Hart, J 2003, Coping with Globalization, New York, Routledge. Scarrit, J & Chan, S, 2013, Coping with Globalization, New York, Routledge. Telo, M, 2012, State, Globalization and Multilateralism, New York, Springer Science and Business Media. Tzonis, A & Lefaivre, L, 2012, Architecture of Regionalism in the Age of Globalization, New York, Routledge. Read More