Comparative analysis of regional integration processes (Europe, Asia, America) [ LEUSL2304 ]

European integration, Political Economy, International relations.

The course outlines and compares the main regional integration processes around the world with a special emphasis on the East Asian (AFTA, ASEAN+3) and American integration processes (MERCOSUR, SAFTA, NAFTA, CAN, FTAA). The course provides analytical tools to assess the extent of the relevance of the European experience for the other regions of the world in developing their regional governance institutions.

Providing a thorough knowledge of the evolution of regional integration processes across outside Europe. Mastering the comparison between these regional integration processes and the European experience. Putting the regional integration process in the historical and global context in order to attempt some prospective analysis. Assessing to what extent the European experience constitutes a useful benchmark for other regional integration process.

Written or oral examination.

0. Introduction to regionalism

1. Regional integration processes in East Asia

1.1. Japan and the East Asian Regional integration

1.2. ASEAN

1.3. East Asian integration & the Korean peninsula

1.4. China and the East Asian integration

1.5. India & the East Asian integration

1.6. The prospects of East Asian integration processes
 

2. Regional integration processes in the Americas

2.1. Latin America

2.1.1. The disintegration of Latin America and the emergence of the Latin American nations

2.1.2. Regionalism in Latin America until the 1990s

2.1.3. Mercosur & CAN

2.2. North & Central America

2.2.1. The US-Mexican relations

2.2.2. NAFTA & CAFTA+D

2.3. The conflicting regional integration processes in the Americas

2.3.1. The regional hegemony of the US

2.3.2. The influence of Europe and China

2.3.3. FTAA, SAFTA, ALBA

3. Theoretical comparative analysis of the regional integration process

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