The Political Economy of Regionalism: The Case of Southern Africa

Since the mid 1990s, East Asian states have developed an increasing interest in creating regional cooperation. The Political Economy of Regionalism in East Asia explores this trend and looks at how it is explained in terms of the major theoretical perspectives of international relations. Analysing moves towards free trade agreements, and cooperation in information technology, environments, energy, and agriculture, the book argues that global and regional economic forces have transformed the political and economic context in which East Asia states interact in pursuit of national interests. Such forces have influenced measures and environments of which the states take advantage for securing national interests.