Regional Organizations

Question 1

Advantages of regional organizations

Answer 1

deeper knowledge of region
group problem solving
shared norms and opinions

Question 2

What is a free trade agreement

Answer 2

free trade (lowest form of integration)

Question 3

What is a customs union

Answer 3

• free trade

- common external tariffs

Question 4

What is a common market

Answer 4

-free movement of goods, services and capital

Question 5

What is an economic union

Answer 5

• common market

- economic and monetary cooperation (common policies)

Question 6

What is an economic and monetary union

Answer 6

-common market
-common currency
(highest form of integration)

Question 7

Difference between security community and collective defense

Answer 7

security community = security cooperation

collective defense = nato - defend against external attack

Question 8

Define a ‘region’

Answer 8

geographical proximity, mutual interdependence (traditional)
shared identity, norms and values (constructivist)
huge diversity (intergovernmental and supranational)

Question 9

3 Theories why regionalism happens

Answer 9

1. federalism: substantive integration through supranational creation
2. functionalism: form follows function (smaller steps)
3. neofunctionalism: spillover effect

Question 10

Critics of regionalism theories:

Answer 10

• limits of applicability (stems from West)
• overemphasis on willingness to cooperate
• limited by specific historical factors

Question 11

Organization of American States objectives

Answer 11

peace and security -> collective defense (rio treaty)
promote democracy
eradicate poverty

Question 12

ASEAN why (incentive)?

Answer 12

1967

need for security after Vietnam war and communism

Question 13

ASEAN principals

Answer 13

1. non-intervention
2. intergovernmentalism
3. peaceful conflict resolution -> constructive engagement (Myanmar)
4. prevention of competing allies
5. common solutions

Question 14

ASEAN key feature ‘ASEAN - X practice’

Answer 14

don’t have to adopt all new integrations

Question 15

AU Origins

Answer 15

OAU -> AU

becoming independent from colonial states

Question 16

AU objectives

Answer 16

• unity and solidarity between African countries and peoples of Africa -> only receive help from African countries
• defend sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence
• promote human and people’s rights
• promote sustainable development

Question 17

Whats the African Peer Review Mechanism

Answer 17

for transparency, each country reporting on HR

Question 18

The Council of Europe origins

Answer 18

1949
prevent european war
specific focus on human rights

Question 19

The Council of Europe - European court of human rights

Answer 19

complaint mechanism
complementarity
dilemnas: 
1. caseload crisis
2. lack of enforcement
3. membership
4. varying compliance

Question 20

Economic integration order from least to most:

Answer 20

Free trade -> customs union -> common market -> economic union -> economic and monetary union

Question 21

UN-AU relationship:

Answer 21

• begin for socio-economic development
• 90s: peace and security
• UN assisted in AU capacity building: ‘10 year cap building programme’
• AU enforces peace; UN keeps peace once established (however AU has been downgraded before)
• AU needs UN for resources which are insufficient
• both need eachother