The role of regional identity in Asia‐Europe relations with special reference to ASEM*

This research has been financially supported by the Korea Research Foundation (Project No. 1998–001‐C00191).

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed a proliferation of regional as well as inter‐regional organizations dealing with a wide range of political, economic, security, and social issues. On balance, material interests and the need for balance of power amongst the states and the regions are often abetted to such development. But deeper analysis will reveal the importance of understanding the psychological and cognitive foundations of regional and inter‐regional arrangements. Regionalism, in other words, is not just an outcome of economic materialism or geo‐political calculations, but also a reflection of ideas, knowledge and identity of the regions involved in some form of integrative process. The development of ASEM can be viewed and treated against this analytic backdrop. This paper examines in detail some of the fundamental issues underlying Asia‐Europe relations in order to better understand the depth as well as future prospects of this newly emerging inter‐regional arrangement.

Notes

This research has been financially supported by the Korea Research Foundation (Project No. 1998–001‐C00191).