GP- Regionalism & The EU: Regionalism and its different forms Flashcards
What is the definition of “regionalism” according to the text?
A: Regionalism is the process by which states form regional organisations and agreements to work together on shared economic, political and security interests.
Q: What does regionalism provide for nation states in the same region?
A: Regionalism provides a way for nation states in the same region to cooperate, forming political and economic institutions to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Q: How do regional organisations vary in their depth of integration?
A: Regional organisations vary in the depth of integration, with some focusing on very narrow objectives and others, such as the European Union (EU), establishing a form of government with significant supranational authority over nation states.
Q: What are the three primary motivations for states forming regional organisations?
A: Economic, security, and political.
Q: What does “economic” motivation involve?
A: This involves facilitating the economic links between neighbouring states in the same region.
Q: How does economic regionalism vary in its scope?
A: It may focus on reducing tariffs on specific goods, as in the case of NAFTA/USMCA (see page 555). However, it can also go much further than this.
Q: What is the most advanced form of economic regionalism mentioned in the text?
A: The European Union (EU).
Q: What has the EU established in terms of economic regionalism?
A: A customs union by abolishing all tariffs between the member states and creating a common external tariff. In addition to this, the EU operates a single market.
Q: What is the EU’s single market based on?
A: The four freedoms, which means that there are no barriers within the EU to the free movement of goods, capital, services and people.
Q: What do nation states in the same region likely share in terms of security?
A: Nation states in the same region are likely to share the same security interests.
Q: What can nation states do by joining regional organisations in terms of security?
A: They can therefore join regional organisations to protect themselves from external threats and manage peacekeeping operations within their zone of influence.
Q: What is an example of a regional organisation engaged in peacekeeping operations?
A: The African Union, for example, has engaged in peacekeeping operations with the UN in Darfur and South Sudan.
Q: What did the EU establish at the Maastricht Treaty (1993) in terms of security?
A: At the Maastricht Treaty (1993) the EU established a common security and defence policy as the EU’s second pillar.
Q: What can nation states establish through political regionalism?
A: As a result of political regionalism, nation states can establish shared political structures that allow them to respond more effectively to collective challenges (Figure 22.1).
Q: How does the EU use its shared political structures in terms of governance?
A: For example, the EU adopts a common approach to many areas of governance which can be legally enforced through the European Court of Justice.
Q: What does political regionalism enable nation states to do in terms of international affairs?
A: Political regionalism also enables nation states, sharing similar political goals, to present a coherent approach to international affairs, so maximising their potential for influence.
Q: What is an example of an organisation that allows member states to present a united front?
A: The Arab League, for example, allows member states to present a more united front in global affairs, especially on issues that involve the Arab world.
Q: What did the Lisbon Treaty (2009) create in terms of EU positions?
A: The Lisbon Treaty (2009) created the permanent positions of EU President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Q: What do these positions provide the EU with in international relations?
A: These positions provide the EU with considerable structural influence in international relations.
Q: What is the definition of “intergovernmentalism”?
A: Intergovernmentalism is decision making in institutions of global and regional governance, which the nation state is free to accept or reject, so protecting its sovereignty.
Q: What is the definition of “federalism”?
A: Federalism is the centralisation of power so that supranational governing institutions can require nation states to act in a certain way, so eroding their sovereignty.
Q: What is the definition of “supranationalism”?
A: Supranationalism is decision making by a higher authority than a nation state, which the nation state must then legally accept.
Q: What is the definition of “sovereignty”?
A: Sovereignty is a nation state’s complete authority and control over everything that occurs within its borders.
Q: What are the characteristics of intergovernmentalism in decision-making?
A: States are the main decision makers. They can put forward proposals and vote on them.
Q: What are the characteristics of supranationalism in terms of authority and power?
A: Authority and power are handed over by states to institutions that have the authority to act without states’ involvement.
Q: What are the characteristics of federalism in terms of government?
A: Government of a region is shared between state governments and a regional government.
Q: What example is given for a supranational action?
A: For example, the European Commission can propose new laws without consulting states.
Q: What example is given for policy separation in federalism?
A: By agreement, the policies for which states are responsible (such as education) are separated from those for which the regional government is responsible (such as agriculture).
Q: What is the debate regarding regionalism and globalisation working effectively together?
A: Debate: Do regionalism and globalisation work effectively together?
Q: What is the evaluation regarding the types of shared challenges regional organisations are best suited to address?
A: Evaluation: What types of shared challenges are regional organisations best suited to address?
Q: What are the arguments for regionalism working effectively with globalisation?
A: Regionalism divides the world into more manageable units that can achieve more than is possible at international level. This is because states in a region have more shared interests and values. For example, the European Court of Human Rights has been very effective. Regional organisations can improve global security through embedding democratic values (the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012) and by developing peacekeeping forces (such as the AU’s peacekeeping operations in Somalia since 2007).
Q: What are the arguments against regionalism working effectively with globalisation?
A: Some organisations are too weak or limited in their scope to make an impact on global politics. The Arab League was unable to influence the Arab Uprisings in 2011 and the UN and NATO stepped in. NAFTA was a very limited regional economic agreement. Regional organisations can often be inward-looking. They are more interested in their own geo-politics than in global issues. They are vying for power as regional powers rather than creating consensus and stability. Regionalism could in fact be seen as divisive and destabilising.
