regionalism response to globalisation

• Theme 1: Economic -> main way in which regionalism can be seen as being a response to globalisation is through the affect it has had on the global economy -> on the other hand it is argued that regional blocs promote globalisation -> EU interntal market with its 4 freedoms often regarded as the highest form of globalisation -> reaching complete interconnectivity between its member states by states giving up their sovereignty - > The wto -> that regionalism is the first step to successful economic globalisation, arguing that it helps their unilateral trading system as it makes trade mroe manageable by compartmentalising the globe -> the EU has made agreements with many other blocs sucha s canada and japan , this makes trade freer and within time creates an interconnected world -> 2019 EU major trading partner countries for exports were US, China, Switzerland and Russia -> 2021 the top eu export products where machinery and equipment,
• economic counter -> only true for outwardly looking regional blocs 0> often actually the case that these regional blocs compete with institutions of economic global governance if they are inward looking -> EU is a good example as it has been labelled as a fortress that conducts free trade within a unfair trade outside -> they take protectionists approach -> where external trade is heavily taxed and internal goods are subsidied -> 40% of EU budget goes into CAP to prevent comeptition with goods from external marekts 0> EU engages in unfair dumping practices such as sending below market value milk to cameroon or dairy to ghana -> after the cold war, a unipolar world came about and america dominated the economic market -> led to the EU created to prevent american domination
• cultural regionalism - For Cultural Regionalism -> Response to American Monoculture -> Globalization has created a homogenous culture, often dominated by American values (e.g., Hollywood, liberal ideas). -> Regional forums (e.g., Arab League, EU, African Union) actively work to preserve local cultures. -> Arab League: Promotes Arab-Islamic culture as a collective identity against Western individualism. -> EU: Funds Creative Europe (€2 billion annually) to support local arts and heritage. -> African Union: Supports Nollywood, now the world’s second-largest film industry, as a counter to Hollywood -> Encouraging Local Identity ->Regionalism provides a platform for nations to collaborate and resist cultural flattening.
• Against Cultural Regionalism -> Ineffectiveness in Practice -> Attempts to protect local culture have largely failed (e.g., Arab League’s efforts undermined by internal diversity). -> Even local outputs (e.g., Nollywood) mimic global monoculture (Hollywood’s model) -> Dominance of Global Media -> American cultural outreach remains strong due to the internet and social media (YouTube, Netflix) -> Young minds are not captured by regional forums, which often focus on outdated, elderly perceptions of culture -> Homogenization Persists -> Despite regional efforts, global monoculture prevails, making resistance
• For Political Regionalism as a Resistance to Globalization

  Countering American Dominance -> Regionalism emerges as a backlash against U.S. influence (e.g., resistance to the "Muslim Woods Institute" and promotion of alternatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative). -> The EU mimics global institutions (e.g., regional economic policies resembling the World Bank) to reduce reliance on U.S.-led systems -> Creation of Competing Blocs -> Regional groups (e.g., EU, AU) establish parallel institutions to global ones, reducing dependency on organizations like the UN or IMF. -> Predictions of a shift toward "great power blocs" suggest declining global connectivity and a return to regional rivalries. -> Protectionist Policies -> Inward-looking blocs (e.g., EU’s "Fortress Europe") adopt protectionist measures (e.g., subsidies, tariffs) to shield members from external competition, undermining economic globalization.
• Against Political Regionalism as a Resistance to Globalization

  Collaboration with Global Institutions -> Regional blocs often work with global governance bodies (e.g., AU-UN peacekeeping partnerships), enhancing rather than opposing globalization. -> Pooling sovereignty in regional groups (e.g., EU) increases members’ influence in international forums like the UN ->Facilitating Globalization -> Regionalism can streamline global engagement by creating unified platforms for negotiation (e.g., EU trade deals). -> Institutions like the UNSC remain binding on regional members, proving global governance’s enduring authority -> Compatibility Over Conflict -> Regional forums aim to navigate globalization, not halt it (e.g., harmonizing policies to meet global standards). -> Examples show regionalism complements globalization (e.g., AU’s alignment with UN goals).