Reconciling Regionalism and Multilateralism - Towards Multilevel Governance

Author(s): 
Pages: 
15
Item Reference: 
O-2005/20
Collection: 
UNU-CRIS Occasional Papers
Publication Date: 
2005
Publication Place: 
Bruges
Publication Language: 
EN
Publisher: 
UNU Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies
Working Paper Type: 
Abstract: 

Much ink has flowed on the question of the relationship between regionalism and multilateralism. There is still, however, no definitive answer. So the debate goes on. Is regionalism a substitute or a complement to multilateralism? Put another way, is regionalism a building block or a stumbling block to multilateralism? The re-invigoration of regionalism in developing countries over the past decade hasgiven a new twist to the old debate. Developing countries are increasingly turning to regionalism as a strategy for development (UNCTAD, 2005). But their regionalism is part of a multilevel strategy which needs to be synchronised with their national development plans as well as their efforts to achieve development friendly multilateral trade rules in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).