CHAPTER 3

“A World of Regions”

CHAPTER Overview
This chapter presents and prove the mechanism of a unique integration of the Asian
regions and how nation-states approach the challenges of the world homogenization and division
that differentiate regionalization and globalization and identifies the factors that leads impacts on
the integration of Asian regions.
It analyse how different Asian states confront the challenges of globalization and regionalization
through regionalism. This module shall make you take a deeper look at regional development that
will help you to widen your own perspective about regionalism. The lesson from this module will
look at regions as political entities and examine what brings them together as they interlock with
Globalization. Other facets of regionalism will then be explored, especially those that pertains to
identities, ethics, religion, ecological sustainability and health.
The lesson will conclude by asking where all these regionalism are bringing us as member of a
nation and as citizen of the world.

Learning Outcomes

1. Differentiate between regionalization and globalization.

2. Identify the factors that lead to a greater integration of Asian regions.
3. Explain the term Global south.
4. Analyze how different Asian states confront the challenges of Globalization and
regionalization through regionalism.
5. Differentiate the global south from third world.
6. Explain how regions are formed and kept together.
7. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of regionalism.

Lesson Outline:
1. Global Divides: The North and the South
2. Asian Regionalism
DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS/CONCEPTS OF UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTIES

Global South- refers broadly to the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania, most
countries is characterized by low-income and often politically or culturally marginalized.
Global North- refers to developed societies of Europe and North America, which characterized
by established democracy, wealth, technological advancement, political stability, aging
population, zero population growth and dominance of world trade and politics.
Mercatorian Map- it is a navigational cylindrical map presented by Gerardus Mercator.
First World Country- have a stable democracies and are characterized by the rule of law, a
capitalist economy and a high standard of living.
Second World Country- it is term used during the cold war for the industrial socialist states
under the influence of soviet unions.
Third World Country-is an outdated and offensive phrase that has been used historically to
describe a class of economically developing nations.

Regionalism- is a political ideology focusing on the “Development of a political or social system

based on one or more regions”.
Regionalization- it is the process of dividing a political entity
Socio-Cultural- a set of beliefs, customs, practices and behavior that exist within the population.
LESSON 1: THE GLOBAL DIVIDES: THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH

Since the process of globalization is uneven. It follows that there is an imbalance in the
socio-economic and political categories of the world. The world is divided into north and south
and first, second and third.
The term Global South is a metaphor interstate inequality and a product of western imagination
(Claudio 2014). Countries that were colonized by the Spaniards in the southern part of
American continent are collectively called Latin America.
The Global south is also found in developed countries. Economically poor families,
underprivileged individuals, unfair labor practices and suppression of human rights and other
violations of basic rights in Europe.
Global South refers to the socio economic and political divide primarily focused on the
southern hemisphere of the 1569 mercatorian map. It consist of Africa, Latin America and Asia
including the Middle East. The Global south also connotes developing countries as opposed to
rich, industrialized and wealthy nation.
Global North refers to developed societies of Europe and North America, which characterized by
established democracy, wealth, technological advancement, political stability, aging population,
zero population growth and dominance of world trade and politics.
Also the Global North is the home of all members of the Group of eight.
-Canada
-France
-Germany
-Italy
-Japan
-United Kingdom
-Russia
- America
 It is also the abode of the four powerful permanent members of the United Nations
Security Council. It also to the developed countries in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
By now, one can say that the terms Global South and Third World are conceptually the
same. They both refer to the conditions usually found in developing country. Countries who are in
developing stage will surely be called third world countries. The Philippines is considered third
word for it was colonized by European country. But the term Third World is the antecedent of
Global South (Claudio 2014). Arguably, the term Third World ceased to exist when the cold war
ended.
Second World Country it is term used during the cold war for the industrial socialist states under
the influence of soviet unions.
First World Country have a stable democracies and are characterized by the rule of law,
a capitalist
economy and a high standard of living.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (SAQ)/ ACTIVITY 1

Name: ________________________________________Date:
_________________ Course/Block:
_________________________________Schedule: ______________

Instructions: From the given SmartArt below choose one and Construct a concept map that will
establish the connection of our recent topic “The Global North and Global South”. Explain your
answer on the space provided below.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________

LESSON 2: ASIAN REGIONALISM

Governments, associations, societies and groups form regional organizations and/or
networks as a way of coping with challenges of globalization. Globalization has made people
aware of the world in general.
 Edward D. Mansfield and Helen V. Miller state that economic and political definitions of
regions vary but there are certain basic features that everyone can agree on. First, regions are “a
group of countries located in the same geographical specified area”. Second, the words
regionalization and regionalism should not be interchanged, as the former refers to the “regional
concentration of economic flows” while the latter is a “political process characterized by economic
policy cooperation and coordination among countries”.
What makes Asian nations stronger than ever is the establishment of collaborations and
cooperation based on respect. For one, the ASEAN, as a regional bloc, pays full respect for
sovereignty and independence of its members through consensus and consultation
(Eliassen&Arnadottir, 2012)
In this light, Globalization, regionalization and regionalism are compared. The terms
regionalization and
globalization are both related to integration. As defined in module 1, globalization is the expansion
and intensification of social relations and consciousness across word-time and world space.

Regionalization, on the other hand is “the growth of societal integration within a region
and to the often undirected processes of social and economic interaction” (Hurrel 1995). In terms
of scope it is very clear that globalization is borderless. It happens around the world while
regionalization happens only in a specific geographical region.
Regionalism refers to regional concentration of economic flows while regionalization
refers to a political process by economic policy if cooperation and coordination are present among
countries (Mansfield & Wilmer, 1993). Regionalism also pertains to the process of
intergovernmental collaborations between two or more states (Eliassen&Arnadotir, 2012).
Asian regionalism is a new concept among the continental communities. The ASEAN community
is comprised of three pillars.
-Political Security Community
-Economic Community
-Socio-cultural Community
ASEAN has also partnered with three East Asian Countries
-China, Japan and South Korea
It is called ASEAN +3
Aspects that lead to a greater Asian Integration
First, Integration has been market driven
Second, formal institutions such as Asian Development Bank were established.
Third, economic grants and overseas development assistance are made available by better Asian
Economies.
Fourth, production networks have expanded.
Fifth, cooperation among the ASEAN and East Asian countries
Lastly, if EU is a rules-based, ASEAN follows a consensus rule as an approach to decision
making.
In facing the challenges brought about by globalization. Asian countries have responded
with regional alternatives as big group, small group and local communities.
SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (SAQ)/ ACTIVITY 2
Name: ________________________________________Date:
_________________ Course/Block:
_________________________________Schedule: ______________

Instruction: Capture anything (people, event, places etc.) within your community. Have a thorough
reflection about the photo and relate that in “Regionalism and Regionalization”. Write your
realization in the space provided below.

-Photo-

“Photo Essay”
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
SYNTHESIS
Globalization and regionalization are the same for they refer to integration. Their difference lies
on the scope. Globalization is worldwide, while regionalization focuses on a specific geographical
region. As a response to world homogenization and division, regionalism that comes in various of
regional alternatives to Globalization spawned within and among regions in Asia. Asian
integration did not happen based only on one historical event for there different factors that led to
this alliance.
The history of regionalism shows that regional organization emerge as new global arise. The
future of regionalism will be contingent on the immense changes in global politics that will emerge
in the 21st century.