The concept of new regional cooperation
There is no denying the fact that a few
decades ago, the concept of regional cooperation approached as a wield in the
different parts of the world. Quite a lot of regional organisations were formed
in different region. After the creation of the European community in 1958;
regional cooperation burgeoned in East Asia, Africa and Latin
America . Although there was towering anticipation among the
developing countries but regionalism did not prosper outside Europe .
Notwithstanding that, regionalism again being focused as a way of elucidation
of their economic exertion. Today concept of regional cooperation is different
than that of thirty years ago. Before explaining the main differences it is
necessary to mention a few words about the causes of the emergence of new
regionalism.
During the cold war even though regionalism was wide-ranging
agenda but its scope was restricted. Due to the fact, all regional schedules at
that time were secondary to bipolarism. End of cold war or collapse of old
bipolarism gave regionalism a new momentum. In new circumstances regional
organisations are regarded as an important helping hand of the United Nations.
For regional problem solving UN growing dependence on regional organisation
gave regionalisms a new force. For many developing countries economic
marginalization after the end of bloc politics became a major threat. For
becoming self reliant developing countries gave more emphasis on regional
cooperation. The success of the European Community and their different new type
of plans encouraged others to rethink their policies towards economic regional
cooperation and as such signing of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
influenced some countries to reassess the possible gain from regional
cooperation. The developing countries are also creating free trade area and
trying to include developed partner into their free trade arrangements.
Suffice it to say that in old regional cooperation
primary motive in the developing countries were industrialization through
import substitution. Regional protectionism for example erection of trade
barriers were the instrument. Now trade liberalization i.e. removal of trade
barrier has become the main policy in their regional cooperation. In old regional
cooperation inward looking strategies were the high priority but now in new
regionalism is out ward looking for example export promotion, currency
devaluation, economic growth and ultimately global competition is the main goal
of new regional cooperation. In the 60s United States United States ,
Canada and Mexico Mexico Vietnam
It is a significant fact that the treaty provisions are among
the regional countries of Asian and Europe are
new-fangled in the present regional cooperation. In NAFTA treaty the provision
of rules of business classed as a new type of protectionism, dispute settlement,
intellectual property rights and environmental protection and sustainable
development clauses are new. Old regional cooperation arrangement are often
formed in response to common external threat or based on political factor.
Political ideology played prominent role for the creation of most of those
regional cooperation. On the other hand new regional cooperation is a multi dimensional,
trade and economic issues are prominent here. For example communist threat was
the important reason for the creation of ASEAN. Now the policy of this regional
organisation has changed . Trade and economic aspects gaining priority in their
relations. The Soviet threat played important role in the formation of European
Community. The new regional cooperation is spontaneous which is market and
consumer driven. On the other hand the old type of regional cooperation was
imposed from above or bureaucracy driven and was therefore more limited. The
free trade concept is an important issue in comparison to old regional cooperation
arrangement. For example beyond simple trade liberalization of trade in
services, liberalization in movement of capital and labour, investment,
technical and regulatory standards, customs formalities etc. are new. These
policies are now followed by most of the regional organisations. The EU and the
NAFTA has these provisions. The new regionalisms putting the nation- state
system under strain. In the old regionalism the nation- state was the main
actor of regional cooperation. In the European Union much of the state’s responsibilities
are presently being done by this regional body. The EU is therefore now
focusing a common monetary policy, common social policy and common foreign and
security policies. Intra-regional South- South trade has increased much in the
new regional cooperation than under the old regional one.
In view of the above strategic phenomenal aspects, it is
clear from this paper that the changes in the concept of regional cooperation have
based to a high degree on the changes in international politics. As we know
that after Second World War power politics dominated the international system.
For that reason regional cooperation arrangements were mostly political and
security based. After the cold war, although political and security issue remains
there as always, economic and trade aspects have become the main focus in the
new cooperation.
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