GEC 5: THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Instructor: Amy M. Andal

Section II: Asian Regionalism

This section probes the mechanism of a unique integration of the Asian regions and how nation-states
approach the challenges of world homogenization and division.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this section, you are expected to:

1. differentiate between regionalization and globalization;

2. identify the factors that lead to a greater integration of Asian regions; and
3. analyze how different Asian states confront the challenges of globalization and regionalization through
regionalism.

Asian Regionalism
THE PHILIPPINES

• Have always been active in regional blocs that have been established since the time of the South East
Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) up until current regional groupings.
• Firmly believes in establishing close ties with its neighbors and pursue friendship, amity, and
cooperation as embodied in its Constitution.
• Remains to be steadfast to the ideals and vision of One ASEAN and give utmost importance to the
tenets of economic integration, the pursuit of peace in the region and sociocultural cooperation.

Current Events

• The Philippines remains to be an important founding member of the ASEAN having hosted several
summits recently
• The issue of the standing claims of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as well as several
ASEAN states to the West Philippine Sea.
• Pres. Rodrigo Duterte aims for peaceful and cooperative resolution of the Spratly’s debacle by forging
more cooperative and open ties with the PRC.

Why are nations participating in Regionalism?

• Opportunities, threats and challenges prompt nation states to bond together and forge ties and alliances
built on solid, legal frameworks with other nations.
• Nations believe that regionalism can boost and support their national interest in economic, military,
political, and even cultural contexts.

What is Regionalism?

• Fashioned out of the rationale that regional organizations are treaty and charter based giving them
formal status in international law.
• This status is enhanced critically through the recognition and status accorded to regional organizations
by the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.
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Instructor: Amy M. Andal

• “Regional organizations also derive legitimacy through the articulation and implementation of
distinctive regional norms and practices.” Acharya (2009).

Economic Regionalism

• Refers to the institutional arrangements designed to facilitate the free flow of goods, services, and to
coordinate foreign economic policies between countries in the same geographic region or nearby locale.
• Can be viewed as a conscious attempt to manage the opportunities and constraints created by the
dramatic increase in international economic ties to foster economic growth and prosperity among its
member states.

Regionalism in International Relations

Regionalism is the manifestation or expression of a common sense of cultural identity and purpose combined
with the creation and implementation of institutions that express a particular identity and shape collective action
within a geographical region.
Regionalism in Asia

• Asia’s Region is home to over half the world’s population, produces three tenths of global output, and
consistently records the world’s highest economic growth rates.
• Asia’s economies are increasingly connected through trade, financial transactions, direct investment,
technology, labor and other tourist flows, and other economic relationships.
• The regional order that is present in the Asian region is spurred by the fact that there exists patterns
of similarities too great to escape scrutiny.
• Asia’s strength derives from the openness, diversity, and dynamism of its interconnected economies.

Should Asia continue to go on with its established regional patterns?

• Yes. A more dynamic and outward looking Asian regionalism could bring huge benefits to Asia, and
ultimately, to the world.
• It could help sustain the region’s growth, underpin its stability, reduce inequality and address the
perennial problem of poverty.

Should there be more integration?

• Yes. A vibrant, integrated Asia could bring the region’s immense intellectual and economic resources
to bear on current and future challenges.
• It could help power up and stabilize the global economy by boosting productivity, raising living
standards, reducing poverty that would create a stable, cohesive, and productive Asia that is of
everyone’s interest. Thus, regionalism is a must for Asia.

Advantages of Regionalism in Asia:

1. Generate productivity gains, new ideas, and competition
2. Contribute to the efficiency and stability of global financial markets
3. Diversify sources of global demand, helping to stabilize the world economy and diminish the risks posed
 GEC 5: THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
Instructor: Amy M. Andal

4. Provide leadership
5. Create regional mechanisms
Asian Regional Organizations
1. ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations
A regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries which seeks to promote
intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational and socio-
cultural integration amongst its members and other Asian countries, as well with the rest of the world.
Aims & Purposes

• To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region
• To promote regional peace and stability
• To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance
• To provide assistance to each other
• To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilization of their agricultural and industries, the
expansion of their trade, including the study of the problems of international commodity trade.
• To promote Southeast Asian studies
• To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organizations
with similar aims and purposes and explore all avenues for closer cooperation.

Fundamental Principles

• Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and international
identity of all nations.
• The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference
• Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another
• Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner
• Renunciation of the threat
• Effective cooperation among themselves

2. APEC: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

• The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a regional economic forum established in the year 1989.
• APEC’s 21 members aim to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting
balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic
integration.
• APEC operates as a cooperative multilateral economic and trade forum.
• All economies have an equal say and decision making is reached by consensus.
• APEC’s structure is based on both a “bottom-up” and “top-down” approach.
• Four Committees and their respective working groups provide strategic policy recommendations to
APEC Leaders and Ministers who annually set the vision for overarching goals and initiatives.
• The 21 APEC member economies work towards the realization of free and open trade and investment
in the Pacific Asia by 2020.
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Instructor: Amy M. Andal

• The establishment of greater regional community to address the economic and social dimensions of
development- a commitment made by the APEC Leaders in 1994 known as the Bogor Goals.

3. EAS : East Asian Summit

• The East Asia Summit is a unique Leaders-led forum of 18 countries of the Asia-Pacific Region
• It is formed to further the objectives of regional peace, security, and prosperity.
• Established in 2005, EAS allows the principal players in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss the issues of
common interest and concern, in an open and transparent manner, at the highest level.
• The concept of East Asia Grouping was first promoted in 1991 by then Malaysian Prime Minister,
Mahathir bin Mohamad.

4. APT: ASEAN Plus Three

• ASEAN+3 cooperation began in December 2007

• Institutionalized in 1999 when the Leaders issued a Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation at their
third ASEAN+3 Summit in Manila.
• ASEAN agreed to strengthen partnership with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), The Republic
of Korea, and Japan.
• ASEAN Plus Three (APT) can be considered as a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-
operation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the three East Asian nations of
China, Japan, and the South Korea.
• APT is the latest development of East Asian regional co-operation.

ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF ASIAN REGIONALISM

• Unpredictable economic climate

• A deepening credit crisis
• Falling dollar
• Sudden Unwinding of current account imbalances
• Rapidly rising energy, food and other commodity prices
• Adverse effects of global warming

Other Known Risks

• New health or security threats – can make flow of people and goods more difficult and expensive
• Environmental Damage – radical changes in economic policies
• Social Instability – generate tensions and uncertainty
• Financial Contagion
• Deadly Diseases

Criticisms against Asian Regionalism

1. Did not play a role in major and longstanding regional conflicts or in the management of maritime territorial
disputes
Ex: Cold War period, Spratly Islands dispute, Senkaku/Daoyutai Islands
2. Failure to make use of Available Instruments of conflict-prevention and resolution
 GEC 5: THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
Instructor: Amy M. Andal

• No dispute-settlement mechanism
3. Failure of Regional trust-building
• Emergence of significant arms race across the region

4. No regional free-trade
• Bilateral trade arrangements instead of free-trade
5. No standing regional humanitarian and disaster assistance mechanism
• No regional peacekeeping force
6. Lagging with regards to human rights and social issues
• No significant social agenda
• Have not addressed the vital issues of environmental degradation

Exercise 1: Towards a Formidable Asian Integration

Identify two best strengths of the Philippines that may contribute to a greater integration among countries
in the Asian region. Explain in an essay form with at least 250 words.

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 GEC 5: THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
Instructor: Amy M. Andal

Exercise 2: PH and the World

Explain how the Filipinos (Philippines, in general) reacts to regional and global challenges listed below. Choose
only three (3). Present and discuss timely and specific examples/personalities/cases/scenarios/issues
related to the chosen challenges.
• Terrorism
• China’s claim on the West Philippine Sea
• Covid-19 Pandemic
• Climate Change
• Poverty
• Gender Inequality/Discrimination
• Public Health
• Human Rights
• External Debts
• Population Growth
• Freedom of Speech and Expression
• Violence/Rape/Harassment/Abuse Against Women

Challenges Response

(at least 200 words)

(at least 200 words)

(at least 200 words)