Globalisation and regional integration

Globalisation represents the most significant aspect of current international relations. Yet, a shift towards regionalism and bloc formation is increasingly apparent. This study considers the impact of globalisation on the nation-state, the emergence of regionalism, and the complications created by the rising demands of devolution at subnational level. A review of regional integration shows that whilst regionalism protects against the worst effects of globalisation and unites countries, it also encourages sub-national movements, thus heightening the dangers of national divisiveness. Yet the alternative to globalisation mitigated by regionalism and devolution is either unfettered ‘global neoclassicism’ or feuding trading blocs, both of which mean further marginalisation for the developing world as well as for some economic sectors and social groups in the developed countries. © 1997 European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes.