Politics of differentiation: enhanced cooperation in the EU and the pathfinder in APEC

A large majority of studies on differentiated integration focus their attention on closer or enhanced cooperation in the EU, neglecting similar developments in other regions, for example, the pathfinder in APEC. In comparing enhanced cooperation in the EU with the pathfinder in APEC, this article aims to discover conditions under which ideas of differentiation can emerge and then be transformed into common policies endorsed by all member states in regional integration. It shall also make clear the reasons why the pathfinder has been applied in APEC while enhanced cooperation has never been used in the EU. It will begin with a detailed categorization of sub-integrations. Then, the author comparatively analyzes the developments of enhanced cooperation in the EU and the pathfinder in APEC, and as a conclusion, evaluates the contribution of this analysis to better understanding of differentiation.

Russian hegemonies: historical snapshots, regional security and changing forms of Russia's role in the post-Soviet region

The broad purpose of this study is to exemplify changing forms of hierarchical rule manifested in post-Soviet Russia's varying provision of regional security related to military conflicts. Russia's regional role varies in form and in thickness. Although the endurance of Soviet legacy can be observed in four major areas (stabilising borders, economic interest, unification of fellow Slavs and fluctuating alliances), there is enough variance to suggest that over-deterministic theories about Russian regional foreign policy do not account for conjunctural factors that can contribute to change. Instead, we can view the Soviet and post-Soviet regional dynamic as one that is on a fluid anarchy–hierarchy spectrum.     

东盟再认识

东盟是一个具有广泛影响的地区性国际组织,它团结区域内外国家,为维护地区秩序、和平与稳定发挥了重要的作用,为促进地区政治、经济、安全及社会合作做出了重大贡献;东盟为区域内外国家开展广泛的合作提供了一个重要的对话平台,促进区域内外国家减少误会和增进相互理解;东盟也是一种地区意识,它使一个政治、经济、文化、民族与宗教均相当多元化的地区出现了共同的思想,在这种思想的旗帜下,东盟各国求同存异,有力地促进了本区域人民相互了解,增进友谊;东盟是发展中国家团结的典范,它为广大发展中国家树立了一个榜样,它以其成功的实践告诉人们,在全球化的时代,小国和弱国也应该有所作为,其根本出路就是团结与合作.     

中国对周边地区的多边主义政策选择

中国周边多边主义发展具有强烈的地区性与时代性特点。中国在周边地区一体化进程中的外交成功得益于其积极参加各种地区多边合作机制。中国在东南亚、东北亚及中亚等地区多边主义机制建构中均发挥了重要作用,充分体现了其地区多边主义和一体化政策的渐进性、现实性与适用性。中国多边主义合作政策迎合了地区政治安全与经济发展形势的需要,符合地区大多数国家的发展利益。中国在积极促进周边地区经济发展、应对非传统安全威胁和预防冲突的过程中,推进了地区多边主义机制化的发展。     

‘No regionalism please,we are Leghisti !’ The transformation of the Italian Lega Nord under the leadership of Matteo Salvini

Whilst the Lega Nord has traditionally been defined as a regionalist populist party, since Matteo Salvini became its leader in 2013 it has undergone a process of profound ideological transformation. This article assesses this momentous change and the impact it could have on the future of the Lega, drawing on a content analysis of Salvini’s and the party’s Facebook posts, as well as interviews with regional leaders. It argues that, under Salvini’s personal style of leadership: (a) regionalism has been replaced by an empty form of nativist nationalism, which fails to address socio-economic issues related to the North–South divide; (b) populism remains central to the party’s strategic communication, but the EU has taken Rome’s place as the people’s ‘enemy’; (c) this ideological shift has paid-off at the 2018 general election, but is underpinned by latent fractures between the leader and regional representatives which could have profound implications in the future.     

APEC adrift: implications for economic regionalism in Asia and the Pacific

APEC’s lack of success in securing tangible benefits in its first decade has particularly disappointed its ‘Western’ members. Its failures stem primarily from three weaknesses: a lack of consensus over its objectives and how these might best be realized; the absence of an institutionalized driving force for the grouping; and a failure to engage with civil society. APEC’s shortcomings have put at risk what is arguably its most significant achievement: the annual meetings that bring together leaders from around the Pacific Rim. Modest changes to organizational procedures might enhance APEC’s prospects – especially if its efforts are concentrated in trade facilitation and economic and technical cooperation rather than on trade liberalization. Such a change in direction would not only return APEC to its roots but also be in accord with the priorities of East Asian governments.     

东南亚新地区主义及其制度转型的范式研究

东盟-体化进程的加快是东南亚新地区主义发展的一项重要成果,目前对东南亚新地区主义的研究主要是借鉴国际政治经济学的研究套路。东南亚新地区主义具有地区整合和地区离散的双重特征。东盟的扩大、经济一体化、冲突的管理和解决等,又使得新地区主义具有制度转型的特征。东盟期望通过加强内部的文化认同和调适,在未来的全球竞争中更具竞争力。在这种背景下,进行东南亚新地区主义及其制度转型的范式研究就显得十分必要。     

东亚地区主义:源起、动因及未来走向

真正意义上的东亚地区主义萌芽可以追溯到20世纪90年代,东亚国家间不断增长的经济上的相互依赖,来自地区外的多重压力、地区内认同力量不断增强以及东亚各国对权力平衡的追逐等共同推动了东亚地区主义的发展.但由于东亚地区的现实环境与客观条件,东亚地区主义只能选择通过采取务实合作,实现和维护地区的和平与发展.