𝕾𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖙 𝕷𝖔𝖚𝖎𝖘 𝕮𝖔𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖌𝖊

City of San Fernando, La Union

GE4 | THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

1st Semester, AY 2023-2024

A World of Regions

This lesson will help to explain countries, regions and

globalization, introduce the non-state regionalism, and discuss current

challenges to regionalism.

Objectives of the Lesson

At the end of this lecture, students should be

a. Able to differentiate regionalization to globalization

b. Appreciate the importance of Regionalism and regionalization. Instill

a sense of responsibility for the environmental challenges faced by

regions and an appreciation for non-state initiatives that address these

issues.

c. Learn and practice conflict resolution skills, as non-state regionalism

initiatives may involve dealing with disputes or disagreements among

stakeholders.
COUNTRIES, REGIONS AND GLOBALIZATION

In deepening our understanding about globalization, we define it

as an ideology, a condition, a process and a phenomenon. Globalization

has evolved into a catch-all term encompassing a number of connected

changes in the economic, ideological, technological, and cultural

domains in educational and everyday conversation. Production has

become more globally interconnected, capital and transnational firms

are much more mobile, and there have been significant changes to how

the economy works. We know that globalization is an embodiment of

free trade and a free market, but in this lesson, we'll learn more about

how it can also be a venue for plays or a venue for disputes, with

countries performing as the players in this phenomenon.

As much as we might think that globalization is bringing the world

closer together, intensifying our economic interdependence and

bringing countries together, it has also become the source of conflicts

and issues across different regions. Because of this, regionalization has

become an essential strategy for nations within the same region in order

to avoid dealing with the negative effect of globalization.

Region vs. Regionalism vs. Regionalization

A region is a collection of nations that share a common

geographic location and are set up to control and monitor policy

decisions and flow. Not just in the smaller, less developed countries,
regions are the means of coping with globalization. The industrialized

nations additionally build relationships between neighboring countries

as a strategy for safeguarding or securing their advantages.

Regionalism is the development of political, economic, or social

systems based on loyalty to a distinct geographic region with a largely

ideologically and culturally homogeneous population. Regionalism often

leads to formally agreed to arrangements between groups of countries

intended to express a common sense of identity while achieving

common goals and improving quality of life. (Longley, 2021)

Regionalization is described as the practice or trend of

separating regions into little portions and dividing huge areas into

regions or distinct. (Regionalization | Definition, Examples & Principles -

Video & Lesson Transcript, 2022)

Globalization does not just promote development, global

interconnectedness, and progress in countries but it also draws lines

between rich and poor, developed and developing states or what we call

the global divides.

GLOBAL DIVIDES

It is the socio-economic and political division between the wealthy

developed countries, known to be the North and the poorer developed

countries known to be the south. This divide is known as the

development gap which puts greater emphasis on the gap between the

economically rich and poor countries. The North–South divide is not an

exact line, but one that can involve many stereotypes, presumptions and

other impressions of the surrounding region relative to other regions.

FIRST WORLD- "developed countries", and typically describes

countries that are considered to have reached the upper echelon of

advancement in several categories.

SECOND WORLD- characterized by moderate economic development,

political stability, and a relatively high standard of living compared to

developing countries.

THIRD WORLD- economically poor and non-industrialized countries,

as well as newly industrialized countries. Under this modernized

definition, Third World countries are those that display economic, social,

political, and environmental issues such as high poverty rates, economic

instability, and lack of essential human resources compared to the rest

of the world.

GLOBAL NORTH

In a global context, the global north is designated as developed

countries or the First World. The term "Global North" implies the relative

strength and richness of nations in various regions of the world rather

than a geographic area in the traditional sense. It was generally agreed

that the Global North would include the United States, Canada, England,

nations of the European Union, as well as Singapore, Japan, South Korea,

and even some countries in the southern hemisphere: Australia, and New

Zealand.

GLOBAL SOUTH

In a global context, the global south is designated as developing

countries or the Third World. However, it is sometimes referred to as the

“majority world” despite the fact that the South has historically been

home to the vast majority of the world's population, the South's share of

the world's population is growing as the North's fertility rates have

decreased more dramatically.

It is unlikely to be coincidental that the terms the South and the

North were first widely used around this time. These terms appear to

have entered common usage as an alternative to the long-standing

geographical and cultural partition of the world into West and East. The

new names avoided the stigma associated with the term the Third World,

and created the hope that a new world order—one in which the North

would be fairer to the South—was underway. (North And South, The

(Global), 2023)
 Figure 1: The Brandt Line

Figure 2: Countries with a GDP (PPP) per capita <US$ 10,700 (shaded)

The Brandt Line, created in the 1980s, divides the world into

wealthier and poorer nations, with wealthier nations in the Northern

Hemisphere and impoverished nations in tropical areas in the Southern

Hemisphere. Over time, it was realized that despite having higher GDPs,

countries like Argentina, Malaysia, and Botswana are considered in the

"Global South," while Ukraine is among the poorest.

The world is far more complicated today than it was in the Brandt

Line because so many less developed nations have made substantial

economic and social progress. However, inequality inside nations has

also been rising, and some observers now refer to the richer or poorer

groups that may be found both within and across nations as the "Global

North" and the "Global South," respectively. For instance, India still has

the highest proportion of poor people per country, but it also has a big

middle class and a highly wealthy elite.

Inequalities in a country's economy, health, education, and trade

are influenced by factors such as natural resources, health, education,

economic conditions, international trade policies, governance, and

climate change vulnerability. (The Global North/South Divide, n.d.)

REASONS FOR THE PERSISTENT DISADVANTAGE OF THE SOUTH

However, new terms alone were insufficient to bring about

fundamental change. Despite the aspirations and efforts of many people,

in both South and North, most of the population of the South remains

terribly poor. The reasons for this are complex, but several important

interlocking factors can be identified. They include the South’s historical

legacy of disadvantage, much of it stemming from the colonial system.

Also significant are the economic and development costs associated with
enduring and fighting various diseases, especially malaria, tuberculosis,

and HIV/AIDS, all of which affect a substantial number of adults, who

would otherwise be more productive. High levels of Southern

indebtedness, poor governance, and corruption are also important

causes. Other factors warrant mention as well. One is the comparatively

high fertility rate in most developing countries, especially those that are

the poorest. This leads to a proportionately large number of children and

young adults, many of whom are poorly educated, un- or

underemployed, and vulnerable to disease and economic exploitation.

Another point is that, on the whole, populations and governments in the

North have shown little interest in the social and economic fate of the

South. For example, while for several decades many countries in the

North have pledged to increase development aid to the South, very few

large countries have followed through on these promises. In fact,

Northern countries have behaved collectively as though it is just and

proper that the economic and social privileges of Northern populations

be enhanced by Southern poverty.

Also significant is the great diversity of the countries of the South.

They are united by comparative disadvantage and poverty, but divided

by differences in culture, language, religion, fertility rates, and stocks of

oil and other natural resources. The two most populous nations in the

South—China and India—have fought two wars with each other, and have
had a continuous border dispute since the early 1960s. India is a secular

democracy, which aspires to be a permanent member of the UN Security

Council, a status long granted to its great rival China. Totalitarian China

for its part seems as preoccupied with Russia and the United States as

with the issues of the South. The South has also been divided by the

policies of OPEC, a cartel whose richest countries have shown little

interest in promoting the broader interest of the South. (North And South,

The (Global), 2023)

NON-STATE REGIONALISM

Regionalism is often seen as a political and economic

phenomenon. However, the term actually encompasses a broader area.

It can be examined in relation to identities, ethics, religion, ecological

sustainability, and health.

There are two types of regional groups or regionalism. The first is

State Regionalism. It is the coordination of countries and a general

phenomenon or may refer to a formal project, policy, or scheme

promoted by regional states and the term actually encompasses a

broader area. The second is Non-State Regionalism. Non-state

Regionalism is an international organization in the regions whose

members are common people or philanthropists and not directly

connected to the states. (University of Mindanao, 2021-2022)

 Non-state Regionalism relies on the power of individuals or non-

state actors, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs),

multinational corporations, and international advocacy groups, who can

play a significant role in non-state regionalism, and associations to link

up with one another in pursuit of a particular goal. It’s identified with

reformists who share the same values, norms, institutions and systems. It

is not only states that they agree to work together in the name of a single

cause so communities also engage in regional organizing. (Kim Che,

n.d.)

These are tiny associations that include no more than a few actors

and focus on a single issue, or huge continental unions that address a

multitude of common problems from territorial defense to food security.

They rely on the power of individuals. They could be individuals or

groups that hold influence and which are wholly or partly independent

of a sovereign state or state. These are some examples of Non-State

Regional Groups:

A. Rainforest Foundation

They protect indigenous peoples and the rainforest of Brazil,

Guyana, Panama and Peru.

B. Regional Interfaith Youth Networks

In 2006, Religions for Peace launched six Regional Interfaith Youth

Networks, in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America,

and Latin America and the Caribbean. They Promote conflict

 prevention, resolution, peace education, and sustainable

development.

C. Migrant Forum

They are another Regional network of NGOs Trade unions who are

committed to protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of

migrant workers. (University of Mindanao, 2021-2022)

In recognizing societal issues, non-state regionalism differs from

state regionalism. For instance, states view issues like poverty or

environmental degradation as technical or economic problems that can

be fixed by modifying the programs already implemented by state

agencies, making minor adjustments to economic principles, and setting

up offices to deal specifically with these problems. While non-state

regionalism promoted these problems as symptoms of unreliable

environmental and development models. (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng

Marikina, 2022-2023)

"New regionalism" and "non-state regionalism" are related

concepts in the field of international relations and regional studies, but

they are not the same. They refer to different aspects of regional

cooperation and integration. New regionalism typically refers to a

theoretical framework or approach that examines the changing nature of

regional cooperation and integration in the contemporary world. Non-

state regionalism, on the other hand, specifically emphasizes the

involvement of non-governmental actors (non-state actors) in regional

integration processes.

Regional Governance

In some cases, non-state actors participate in regional governance

structures, such as regional councils or boards, where they collaborate

with government representatives to make decisions on regional issues.

This form of co-governance can enhance democratic representation.

Non-state actors often bring innovative ideas and solutions to the table.

Their participation can lead to the development of creative policies and

initiatives that address regional challenges more effectively. Non-state

actors often have strong connections to local communities, ensuring that

the voices of the public are heard and considered in regional

governance. The participation of non-state actors towards the regional

governance also brings conflicts, non-state actors may have their own

agendas, which may not always align with the broader regional interests

and this can lead to conflicts of interest and decision-making challenges.

● In regions with significant indigenous populations, organizations

representing indigenous peoples, such as the Cordillera Peoples

Alliance (CPA) in the Cordillera region, advocate for the rights,

culture, and well-being of indigenous communities. These

organizations empower indigenous communities to have a voice

in decisions that affect them. They often facilitate community

 consultations and engagement with government authorities to

ensure that indigenous perspectives are considered in policy and

development processes.

Organizations focused on culture and heritage work to preserve

and promote the cultural identity and traditions of a region. This can

attract tourism and foster a sense of pride and identity among residents.

Whether the participation of non-state actors in regional governance is

considered "fine" or not depends on the specific circumstances and the

ability to address conflicts. It often involves a careful balance between

government authority and non-governmental input to ensure effective,

inclusive, and accountable regional governance. The key is to establish

clear rules and mechanisms for participation, transparency, and

accountability to make the involvement of non-state actors a positive and

constructive force in regional decision-making.

CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO REGIONALISM

REGIONALISM

It is the process of dividing an area into a smaller-segments, called

regions. It also refers to formal economic cooperation and economic

arrangements of a group of countries aimed at facilitating or enhancing

regional integration.

DIFFERENCE of GLOBALISM AND REGIONALISM

movement
towards
economic
integration
and
development
of more than
one country.

What could be the contemporary challenges to Regionalism?

Organizations’ primary power lies in their moral standing and their

ability to combine lobbying with pressure politics.

 • Unfortunately, most of them are poorly financed, which

places that at a disadvantage when dealing with their

official counterparts who have large state funds. Their

impact in global politics is, therefore, limited.

The most serious of which is the resurgence of militant nationalism

and populism

• The refusal to dismantle NATO after the collapse of the

Soviet Union, for example, has become the basis of the anti-

NATO rhetoric of Vladimir Putin in Russia Now, even the

relationship of the United States—the alliance’s core

member—with NATO has become problematic after

Donald Trump demonized the organization as simply

leeching off American military power without giving

anything in return.

The most crisis-ridden regional organization of today is the European

Union (EU).

• The continuing financial crisis of the region is forcing

countries like Greece to consider leaving the Union to gain

more flexibility in their economic policy Anti-immigrant

sentiment and a populist campaign against Europe have

already led to the United Kingdom voting to leave the

 European Union in a move the media has termed the

“Brexit.”

ASEAN members continue to disagree over the extent to which

member countries should sacrifice their sovereignty for the sake of

global stability

• The Association’s link to East Asia (China, Japan and South

Korea) has also been problematic—ASEAN countries also

disagreed over on how to relate to China, with the

Philippines unable to get the other countries to support

its condemnation of China’s occupation of the West

Philippine Sea Cambodia and Laos led the opposition

favoring diplomacy over confrontation, but the real reason

was the dramatic increase of Chinese investments and

economic aid to these countries When some formerly

authoritarian countries democratized, this “participatory

regionalism” clashed with ASEAN’s policy of non-

interference, as civil society groups in Indonesia, the

Philippines, and Thailand demanded that the other

countries democratized adopt a more open attitude

towards foreign criticism.

Differing visions of what regionalism should be for Western

governments may see regional organizations not simply as economic

formations but also as instruments of political democratization.

• Non-Western and developing countries, however, may

have a different view regarding globalization,

development, and democracy Singapore, China and Russia

see democracy as an obstacle to the implementation and

deepening of economic globalization because constant

public inquiry about economic projects and lengthy debate

slows down implementation or lead to unclear outcomes

Democracy’s tedious procedures must, therefore, give way

to efficiency

Discord that may emerge among them.

• For example, disagreements surface over issues like

gender and religion, with pro-choice NGOs breaking from

religious civil society groups that side with the Church,

Muslim imams, or governments opposed to reproductive

rights and other pro-women policies.

Addressing these contemporary challenges to regionalism requires

flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to finding common solutions

among member states. Regional organizations must evolve and respond

to changing global circumstances to effectively promote cooperation

and achieve their goals.

References

Arafat, R. A., & Muscato, C. (2022, June 16). Regionalization: Examples &

Principles. Study.com. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from

https://study.com/learn/lesson/the-regionalization-process-overview-

examples-

principles.html?fbclid=IwAR2hYh1waTOYMBw9RZp_oflV1bpWtzxYBoI

x0DN-1Sz373G2vNiWCsVSB-

o#:~:text=Regionalization%20is%20described%20as%20the,on%20a%

20geographically%20limited%20scale

Contemporary-Challenges-to-Regionalism.docx - Contemporary

Challenges to Regionalism Regionalism refers to formal economic

cooperation and economic. (n.d.). Course Hero. Retrieved October 6,

2023, from

https://www.coursehero.com/file/118941371/Contemporary-

Challenges-to-Regionalismdocx/

The Difference Between Globalization And Regionalism Compare And

Contrast Essay Example - PHDessay.com. (n.d.). PhDessay.com.

Retrieved October 6, 2023, from https://phdessay.com/the-difference-

between-globalization-and-regionalism/

The Global North/South Divide. (n.d.). Royal Geographical Society.

Retrieved October 5, 2023, from

https://www.rgs.org/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?nodeguid=9c1ce781-

9117-4741-af0a-a6a8b75f32b4&lang=en-
GB&fbclid=IwAR0UAZta6XFbPyP9SmRPikT_H3F4iWm1e9sNP_8idwI6U4

7uds9w54GNHZY#:~:text=Definition,relatively%20richer%20and%20p

oorer%20nations

Herda, H. R. (n.d.). Contemporary Challenges To Regionalism | PDF |

Populism | Globalization. Scribd. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from

https://www.scribd.com/document/484134270/CONTEMPORARY-

CHALLENGES-TO-REGIONALISM-docx

Longley, R. (2021, December 21). Regionalism: Definition and Examples.

ThoughtCo. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from

https://www.thoughtco.com/regionalism-definition-and-examples-

5206335

North And South, The (Global). (2023, September 18). International

Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from

https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/applied-and-social-

sciences-magazines/north-and-south-global

Regionalization | Definition, Examples & Principles - Video & Lesson

Transcript. (2022, June 16). Study.com. Retrieved October 6, 2023, from

https://study.com/learn/lesson/the-regionalization-process-overview-

examples-principles.html

Third World Countries. (2019, March 9). World Population Review.

Retrieved October 5, 2023, from

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/third-world-

countries?fbclid=IwAR3-5NYJqqtZ9eT_u1_GPJm9d2dT7oI-
kKsGWrXeQDcvgmBAiYnKHiA6Dgs

UNIT 1 Lesson 4 - UNIT 1 - LESSON 4 The United Nations and the

Contemporary Global Governance A deal. (n.d.). Studocu. Retrieved

October 6, 2023, from https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/john-b-

lacson-foundation-maritime-university/philippine-contemporary-

arts/unit-1-lesson-4-unit-1/23012718